Praia

4,033 km²
(0.1x the Netherlands)

UTC -1

Portugese, Crioulo

Pico de Fogo - 2,829 m

The flag of Cape Verde was adopted in 1992 and symbolizes the break with Guinea-Bissau on the African mainland with which it formed a state until 1980. The ten stars represent the ten main islands of the archipelago. Blue represents the ocean and the sky and the red / white band is the way to a good future.

The Cape Verde Escudo was introduced in 1914 as a replacement for the Real. After the independence from Portugal, the currency fell sharply in value to the late 1980s after which the currency remained fairly stable. Depicted on the banknote is singer Cesária Évora, a folk singer who used to to perform barefoot. In 2004 she won a grammy award. She passed away in 2011 due to heart failure.

The volcanic Cape Verde islands are located some 460 km from mainland Africa (Senegal) in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands of Maio, Boa Vista and Sal are a beautiful destination for beach lovers and kite surfers. The other major islands are more for hikers and culture lovers, especially Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão and São Vicente.



Fogo is the youngest island in the archipelago (100,000 years). For comparison: São Nicolau is about 12 million years old. According to research the original volcano protruded 3,500 meters above sea level. The top was blown away after an eruption, leaving an enormous caldeira. An eruption in 1785 created a new volcanic cone in the caldeira, which has an altitude of 2,829 meters, the Pico de Fogo. In late November 2014, the last eruption occurred on the flank of the Pico de Fogo involving the two villages Portela and Bangaeira which were covered by a lava flow. The residents made many of their houses accessible again. The houses are hidden between the lava mass. At a couple of these houses the residents left some rooms covered with lava. You can climb the stratovolcano Pico de Fogo with a guide. The slopes are steep: between 30 and 40 degrees, 1,200 meters up and you should beware of groups above you. Volcanic rocks can come loose. The slopes are often torured by a very strong wind (like on our hike). Bring a windstopper and warm clothing (even in cloudy weather). The tour takes about 7 hours. The last part you can run down through the grit. Movies about the eruption and the lava flow that destroyed the villages are on YouTube.

Shortly after the discovery of the islands in the mid-15th century, the first Portuguese settlers settled on the largest island in the archipelago: Santiago. The old capital Ribeira Grande was the first settlement. About a century after its creation, it was sacked by the pirate Francis Drake. A fortress was built to guard the city. In 1712, the French pirate Jacques Cassard repeated Drake's strategy. Because of the vulnerability, the capital was moved 13 km to the east and was called Praia. In 1770, Ribeira Grande was no longer the capital. Nowadays it is known as Cidade Velha. Along with it's fortress it is on the world heritage list since 2009. After its foundation in 1460, it was a transit port for the slave trade. The slave pole in the square is still a remnant of that era. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario is the oldest church in Africa, south of the Sahel. The fortress, Real do São Filipe, was completed in 1593 and has been beautifully restored. The fortress is located 120 meters above the Bay. Walk up the river bed of the Ribeira Grande next to the picturesque street of Rua de Banana. There are many kingfishers in this valley as well as two large baobabs and a Grogue distillery (Rum is the local drink).

Take a trip on Santiago from Praia to the northernmost city of Tarrafal. You will first arrive at the mountain range of the Serra de Pico da Antónia. It has the highest peak (1,394 meters) on the island. Descend to Assomada on a road with beautiful views. Highlight here is the market which is largest on Saturday. Further north the road rises to the second mountain range of the island: Serra Malagueta with the highest point Monte Malagueta (1,064 meters). Finally you arrive in Tarrafal. It is located on the coast in the north of Santiago, the main attraction of is the white sandy beach along the Baia do Tarrafal. On the south side of the town countless fishing boats lie on the beach.

São Vicente is dry and barren and has the second largest city of Cape Verde, Mindelo. The island was colonized by the English in the 18th century. The location of Mindelo Mindelo was an ideal place to supply their ships that crossed the ocean. Tons of coal from Wales were brought in for this. Later the first submarine telegraph cable was added. Mindelo is also the birthplace of singer Cesária Évora.

Santo Antão is the most beautiful island in the archipelago. The jagged mountain peaks are almost 2,000 meters in height and they are intersected by deep steep valleys that have been carved out by rivers. In the valleys are terraces where a large amount of different crops are grown. The walk through ribeira do Paùl is one of the highlights. The old road from the harbour in Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande is approx. 35 km long and one of the most beautiful mountain routes on the island. The road consists of basalt clinkers and it took 30 years to complete. Tip: Take a walk from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas (about two hours there and back) or further. This walk is very beautiful and follows a basalt road along the steep mountains to the village perched on a protruding rock in a gorge. The terraces for growing fruit and vegetables are reminiscent of the Incas.