About Cape Verde

The Cape Verde government are currently enhancing the island economy and tourism is their top priority. Cape Verde is in the early stages of development as a top international tourist destination, this makes it an ideal time to invest.

"The Cape Verde Islands are the next potential holiday hotspot" BBC Holiday (Nov 2005)

The Island of Sal, "The Salt Island" is an excellent starting point from where you can island hop to discover tropical plantations, go walking around the old town in Santiago, take a breath taking mountain views of Monte Verde in Sao Vicente or simply soak up the sun and surf.

From a business perspective there are many reasons why you should consider investing in the initial pase of growth; exchange rate of the local currency is fixed to the euro, a new International Airport on the island of Santiago is now receiving direct flights from the USA and what's more, analysts predict a 70% increase in property value over the next 24 months.

During 2006 Cape Verde National carrier TACV will be introducing direct short haul flights from the UK, approximately five and a half hours flying time. Low cost operators are expected to follow shortly afterwards, increasing the accessibility to the islands, thus, increasing the rental potential of your property.

The Cape Verde Islands are the nearest tropical islands to the UK; they are awaiting you to discover them!

Area & History

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading area for African slaves and later an important coaling and re-supply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of africa's most stable democratic governments. For now the Cape Verdeans have their own identity, proclaim their own culture and most importantly, govern themselves.
For the first time they can act strategically.

Cape Verde also known as Cabo Verde is a collection of Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 385 miles (620km) west of Senegal, West Africa. Its official name is The Republic of Cape Verde and covers 4030sq Km's. The Islands are blessed with beautiful beaches, scenery and a climate reminiscent of the Caribbean.

Facts

Population: 482,000
Capital: Praia, Santiago
Area: 4,033 sq km
Major Languages: Portuguese
Monetary unit: Cape Verdean escudo

Climate

Cape Verde is 4 hours closer to mainland UK than the Caribbean, with the ideal climate without the hurricanes!

Cape Verde enjoys a temperate climate, warm dry summers, with little and irregular rainfall. The northeast trade wind is responsible for much of the Cape Verde climate.

It is particularly noticeable from December to April, carrying so little moisture that peaks of over 600m are about the only areas that can extract any rain.

How to see the Islands

International Travel
TACV has flights to every island except Brava ranging in frequency from eight times a day to once a week.

Inter Island Airlines flies between Praia and Sáo Vicente; Praia and Sal; Praia and Maio; Sáo Vicente and Sal; Cabo Verde Express offers charter day trips, in general from Sal and Boavista to Fogo.

Boats are much cheaper to travel between the islands and you are unlikely to find a ferry full to take you.

Shopping

There are daily markets. The Santa Caterina market is held Wednesday and Saturday. Local handicrafts include coconut shells, carved by local craftsmen; there is also pottery, lacework and basketry.
Shopping hours (Approximate)
Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1500-1900, Sat 0900-1300.

Eating, drinking and shopping

Dining
There is an increasing number of restaurants and cafes. The main local culinary specialty is cachupa, a hearty mix of maize, beans, herbs, cassava, and sweet potato, sometimes with chicken and or other meat. Another delicious Cape Verdean treat is pastel con diablo dentro (pastry with the devil inside) - a mix of tuna, onions, tomatoes, and pastry made from boiled potatoes and corn flour. Fruits include mangos, bananas, papayas, goiabas (guavas), zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas, tamaras and cocos.

Fish lovers will be in heaven on Cape Verde, which offers a multitude of delicacies including lobster, tuna and octopus.

Other specialties are jams and semi dried fruit, usually served with fresh goats cheese at the end of the meal.
The local brew is Grogue, and is produced locally and widely available. There are two principal beers also available widely Kelps (American Beer) and Superbock (Portuguese Beer) are very palatable.

Culture

The faces of Cape Verde are numerous: blue eyes gazing out from above a brown cheek; green eyes below the tight curls of black hair with a wisp of blond; Chinese eyes set with cocoa complexion, the peach-cheeked toddlers with blond curls and the others with skin of every brown hue in between.

Cape Verde has its own exciting mix. This was the marked emergence of the Creole nationhood.

The Cape Verdean people have their own history, the result of a unique combination of social and natural forces.

Things to do

Windsurfing on Sal - one of the best locations for windsurfers.
Fishing is best done between July and October, but Wahoo is available almost 9 months of the year. Game fishing, bottom fishing and pier fishing are all widely available.

The beaches on Sal are some of the most outstanding on Cape Verde and offer fantastic sunbathing, swimming or diving, or do a little underwater caving at the foaming lagoon of Buracona.

The waters of the coasts of Cape Verde offer some exciting dives particularly on Sal including one to the 1966 freighter Santo Antáo and the Danish 40ft ship Demfior which floundered on the east coast in the late 1940s.

Hiking - you can go for lonely long walks virtually anywhere on the island. You can visit the imposing volcano crater and salt lake of Pedra de Lume.

Nightlife

Some hotels provide evening entertainment. Small villages will have a lively taverna. most nightlife is on the main islands; there are 21 nightclubs in Cape Verde - Eight on Santiago, seven on Sal, five on São Vicente and one on Fogo. Praia has a cultural centre at which local Cape Verdean artists and instrumentalists perform.