The Republic of Cape Verde (its official name) or Cape Verde is from the word Cap-Vert which means Green Cape. It is located in the Western Coast of Africa on the Macronesia Region of the North Atlantic Ocean. Cape Verde is an archipelago composed of 10 main islands and 8 islets.

The islands were discovered by the Portuguese during the 15th century, before, these islands were uninhabited. The Portuguese developed the island and were later made as a trading center of African Slaves. Africans are brought to Cape Verde to work on the plantations run by Portuguese. These interactions made Verdean a combination of the African and Portuguese culture.

The Northern islands of Cape Verde are Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista and Santa Luzia. These islands are also called the Barlavento group.

The southern part of Cape Verde or the Sotavento group is composed of four islands namely Maio, Brave, Fogo and Santiago.

Some of the islands are uninhabited and considered as a Natural reserve. The islands of Cape Verde are also volcanic and mountainous. The most active volcano is found in Fogo Island.

Places to visit

You can visit the sandy and salty beaches of Sal. You can also go diving at the diving paradise in Boa Vista and enjoy the beautiful sceneries in Santiago.

You can also visit Sao Vicente to experience the widely known Baia das Gatas festival. This is the festival wherein you will dance to the rhythm of the Cape Verdean dances.

Since these islands were colonized by Portugal, Portuguese architecture is very visible in these islands and this beautiful display of architectural talents is really worth a visit.

Almost half of Cape Verde’s population resides in Santiago Island. Other citizens that have the African and Portuguese origin are now residing in other countries namely United States, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy and other European countries.

Dance and Music

The most popular types of music in Cape Verde are Morna and the Cape Verdian kizomba. The Dances are a mix of Portuguese and African dance, African Batuque and coladeira are just some of the dances the Cabo are famous for. The residents of Cape Verde are also called Cabo.

It gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. And since then, the government of the Republic of Cape Verde is working hard to promote tourism and uplift the economy of the country even if there is not much resource available.

Language

The official language in Cape Verde is Portuguese. It is the medium of instruction used in schools. Cape Verde also has other languages, like the Cape Verdean Crioulo, Crioulo of Santiago, Crioulo of San Vicente and other Portuguese based languages. Languages vary from one island to another. The spelling systems also vary due to the Sotavento or Crioulo of Santiago and the Barlavento or Crioulo of San Vicente.

For more information on how to visit the Cape Verde, check out their travel websites.

If you want to see beautiful places and mingle with people of mix African and European origin, Cape Verde is truly the place to go.