World ? Africa ? Cape Verde

Cape Verde: Introduction

Overview

Cape Verde is a cool, tranquil refuge from the heat, crowds (and often chaos) of the rest of the continent. The windy archipelago off of the west coast of Africa has mild weather, clean ocean air, mountainous landscapes and tidy towns. Cape Verde consists of ten islands, only nine of which are inhabited, and eight islets. The friendly people and beautiful beaches remind many of Brazil or the Caribbean. One of the main attractions is the yearly Carnival. The Cape Verde islands, volcanic in origin, vary widely in terrain. The still-active volcano on the Fogo is the archipelago's highest point with an elevation 8,489 feet. Sal and Maio Islands host extensive salt flats, and on Santiago, Santo Antȧo, and Sȧo Nicolau, the land is given over to agriculture, supporting sugarcane fields and banana plantations.

History

Cape Verde means “Green Cape” and was first inhabited by the Portuguese in 1455. It later became a vital transshipment point for the Portuguese who traded slaves to the Americas. The dry conditions made growing sugar difficult, so Cape Verde became a supply station for ships passing through. In the 1800s New England whalers visited Cape Verde and established a North American connection.

Portugal held on to Cape Verde until 1975, when the archipelago gained its independence and tried to establish a union with Guinea-Bissau. The attempt fell through and today Cape Verde is independent.

Government and Economy

Poverty, unemployment and the state of the economy are major issues for Cape Verde, a stable democracy. In 2006, Pedro Pires of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) won the presidential election and has made the preceding issues his focus.

The largest growth sector of the economy is tourism. Cape Verde's lovely beaches that allow many types of water sports and make for an attractive tourism destination.

Major Cities

Boa Vista

Maio

Mindelo

Mosteiros

Praia

 

Sal

Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal

Santo Antao

Sao Filipe

Sao Nic

 Culture

Because of the colonial history, Cape Verdean social and cultural patterns resemble those of Portugal. Soccer games and church activities typical of the daily life of the people. In those towns having electricity, television is available. Cape Verde music incorporates Portuguese and African influence.

The Cape Verde diet is mostly based on fish caught locally, corn and rice. Much of the food, approximately 85% or so, is imported.

Planning your visit

 

  • Passport/Visa Requirements: Passport, visa and proof of onward passage needed by Canadian and U.S. citizens prior to arrival. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
  • Population: 418,224
  • Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a mix of Portuguese and African dialects), some English and French
  • Predominant Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
  • Time Zone: 1 hour behind Greenwich Mean Time (-1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed
  • Voltage Requirements: 220 volts (European-style two-pin sockets are used)
  • Telephone Codes: 238, country code

 

Climate

Cape Verde’s climate isin general more mild than that of the African mainland as the islands are surrounded by the Atlantic. Temperatures are generally moderate From October through June temperatures highs are 75-85F/24-29C and lows are 68-76F/20-24C. The hot and rainy season is from July-September, although it doesn’t rain much. As apart of the Sahelian arid belt, Cape Verde lacks the rainfall levels of West African countries. In December and March the harmattan winds from the Sahara blow, forming dust clouds that hide the sun. Evenings cool off year round, so you will likely want a sweater.

 

Money

Currency: Cape Verde escudo ($ or CVE at the end of the number). An official exchange rate has been set with the Euro, although rates vary slightly from bank to bank. Although Cape Verde is mainly a cash society, credit cards are accepted at many upscale hotels. (Visa is the most accepted credit card). ATMs are found at major banks in big cities.

Banking Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-2 pm. Some banks stay open until 4 pm.

Tipping: Tip about 10% for good service.

Safety

Crime isn’t a major problem in Cape Verde. However, always be aware of your surrounding and be watchful of pick-pockets and petty thieves. Most petty crimes occur in Sao Vincente and Mindelo, where bag-snatchers work in gangs and can be aggressive.

 

Other Tips:

  • Don’t keep extra escudos as they cannot be converted outside the country.
  • Bring a flashlight because electricity is unreliable in Cape Verde.
  • Ask before taking photos of people.
  • Dress more conservatively when visiting towns.
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