São Vicente Island
Discover the capeverdean capital of music
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São Vicente Island
São Vicente is the second most populated island of Cape Verde and belongs to the “Barlavento” Group (“windward”), located in the north-east of the archipelago. The São Vicente channel separates it from the neighbouring island of Santo Antão. The Airport of São Pedro is located to the south of the city of Mindelo, the main urban centre of the island and the second largest city of Cape Verde, home to a great part of the 74.136 inhabitants of the island.
History
Descoberta no dia de São Vicente em 1462, pelo navegador português Diogo Gomes, a ilha ficou despovoada durante muitos anos devido à falta de água. Foi só em 1838, quando se estabeleceu um depósito de carvão para abastecimento dos navios em rota pelo Atlântico na baía do Porto Grande, que a população se começou a fixar, fundando-se a cidade do Mindelo.
The island became an obligatory stopover in the middle of the Atlantic for ships from all over the world and sailors of many nationalities socialized in the taverns and cafes of Mindelo. By that time, the city had become an important and cosmopolitan cultural center where music, literature and sport were cultivated. The hypothesis of transferring the capital of Cape Verde to Mindelo was even suggested.
The cycle lasted only a few decades, because with the replacement, at the beginning of the sec. XX of coal for diesel as fuel for ships, the important port lost its preponderance. Later, the island gained new momentum as a transatlantic connection point for submarine telegraph cables. From the golden age, the city of Mindelo retains a relatively well-preserved historic center, where colonial-style architecture predominates, with the Governor’s Palace being a good example. The Liceu Nacional Infante D. Henrique (current Jorge Barbosa School), was of enormous importance in the development of Cape Verdean national consciousness, having studied many of the workers of national independence there, including Amílcar Cabral and the former President of the Republic Pedro Pires.[/ expander_maker]
Nature
Sal has about 35,000 inhabitants and is close to the African continent, which makes it vulnerable to the hot, dry desert wind that carries sand from the Sahara.
The extreme flatness, despite its volcanic origin – the lack of mountains, with the exception of the north of the island, which condense atmospheric humidity, makes it a very arid island with extensive white sandy beaches and a mild climate with little temperature variation. , between 24th and 30th.
Nature
Although it is of volcanic origin, the island is relatively flat, especially the central area, the eastern part of Calhau and the northern part of Baía das Gatas. The highest point on the island is Monte Verde. Another important elevation is Monte Cara – so called because it resembles a human face looking at the sky. Despite the strong erosion, some craters of volcanoes are still very visible, as is the case of the Viana volcano, in the east of the island, and the bay of Porto Grande itself.
Culture
São Vicente has always been a fertile island in cultural terms. The city of Mindelo is informally considered the cultural capital of Cape Verde and its nightlife is famous for its lively bars with live music, where, for example, Cesária Évora’s career began. In addition to music, São Vicente culture stands out in several areas such as theater and literature. Annual events are highlighted, such as Carnaval, the Baía das Gatas Music Festival in August and the New Year festivities.
São Vicente has many typical dishes, many of them based on seafood. In addition to the famous “Catchupa”, there is “Dadal” Seafood Cabidela Rice and “Barnacle Stew”.
Sightseeing
Baía das Gatas
Baía das Gatas is the name of a beautiful natural bay, a small town where the internationally famous music festival takes place. It is 8 km east of the city of Mindelo, the capital of the island. The name of this bay derives from the abundance in its waters of a species of shark, called shark – gata.
Baía das Gatas is a huge natural pool, as the exit to the sea is closed by rocks that form a barrier. To the east of Baía das Gatas is Praia Grande, or Praia do Norte, with its sand as far as the eye can see. Since 1984, the Baía das Gatas Music Festival has been held annually on the first full moon weekend in August
Mindelo
In the city of Mindelo there is a development and prosperity rare in other islands, mainly thanks to its deep water port — Porto Grande — which serves as a transatlantic stopover for ships of all nationalities. The walk along the waterfront, skirting the bay to Praia da Laginha, allows you to observe the outline of the underwater volcanic crater. Mindelo is the result of two major influences, the Portuguese colonial and the British, revealed around every corner in its streets and in the architecture of its beautiful buildings.
Mindelo
In the city of Mindelo there is a development and prosperity rare in other islands, mainly thanks to its deep water port — Porto Grande — which serves as a transatlantic stopover for ships of all nationalities. The walk along the waterfront, skirting the bay to Praia da Laginha, allows you to observe the outline of the underwater volcanic crater. Mindelo is the result of two major influences, the Portuguese colonial and the British, revealed around every corner in its streets and in the architecture of its beautiful buildings.
São Pedro
São Pedro is a fishing village located 10km southwest of the city of Mindelo. São Pedro has a huge beach with turquoise waters. The landscape is arid and majestic and the constant winds make it an internationally renowned beach for windsurfing. The village is small and picturesque, with colorful houses, practically only fishermen inhabit it. 2 km further west is the lighthouse of D. Amélia.
Calhau
Calhau is a small fishing village on the east coast of the island, 22 km from the city of Mindelo. It belongs to the Ribeira de Calhau area and has a beach for bathing in the sea and a small fishing port in the bay of the same name. On clear days, you can see the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia from there. 4km south of Calhau is the crater of the extinct Viana volcano. To the north of the town there are also other cones of extinct volcanoes.
Between Calhau and Baía das Gatas is Praia Grande, with white sand and crystal clear water. Here, the waves prevail and the wildest nature of the Atlantic. It is one of the beaches of choice for nesting turtles.
Calhau
Calhau is a small fishing village on the east coast of the island, 22 km from the city of Mindelo. It belongs to the Ribeira de Calhau area and has a beach for bathing in the sea and a small fishing port in the bay of the same name. On clear days, you can see the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia from there. 4km south of Calhau is the crater of the extinct Viana volcano. To the north of the town there are also other cones of extinct volcanoes.
Between Calhau and Baía das Gatas is Praia Grande, with white sand and crystal clear water. Here, the waves prevail and the wildest nature of the Atlantic. It is one of the beaches of choice for nesting turtles.
