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Located in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal. The Cape Verde islands consists of Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Ilheu Branco, Ilheu Raso, Sao Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista, Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo and Brava.

All the islands are of volcanic origin, the main island, Sao Tiago, is mountainous, Fogo has the islands' highest peak, Mt Fogo (2840m/9320ft). Santo Antao has the highest rainfall and is much greener than the other islands and favourable for those who enjoy hiking.

The Cape Verdian Islands are not far from the main land of West-Africa, but they have a very distinct character. The people on the islands speak Portuguese and mainly live of remittances from migrated family members and fisheries. The islands have an enormous touristic potential that is not yet fully exploited. This is a good reason to go now!

The most important island is Sao tiago island. The capital of the country Praia, Vila velha and the beaches around Tarrafal are the main attractions. Sao vicente is smaller but Mindelo, the capital of the island, is the most lively city of the country.

The main reason to go to Fogo is to hike on the volcano. Another good option for hikers is Brava. Beaches, beaches and beaches is what Sal offers. Most flights from Europe go directly to this island.

Brava
Brava is the smallest of the inhabited islands but is relatively densely populated. Only three hours west of Fogo by ferry, it's mountainous and one of the most scenic islands, offering some of the best hiking opportunities in Cape Verde. For beach action, head to the western side of the island.

Santo Antao
Santo Antao, just north of Sao Vicente, is one of the most beautiful islands and the greenest island in the archipelago. None of the towns on the island is particularly interesting, but what's special is the hilly and relatively lush interior; hikers will love it.

There are flights between Santo Antao and Mindelo (on Sao Vicente); you can connect at Mindelo with flights to Praia. There's also a ferry between the island and Mindelo; the trip takes about an hour each way, but even on this short stretch the seas can be pretty rough.

Sal
This flat desert island, home to the international airport, is a package-tour destination for Europeans with large wallets and a yen for the tropics without local involvement. The village of Santa Maria caters to the packagers; it's 18km (11mi) from the main village of Espargos.

Independent travellers should head for Espargos, where you'll have no difficulty finding a pensao (pension) or a restaurant. There are daily flights between Sal and Praia; there are also boats running between the islands that pick up passengers at Sal about twice a week.

Sao Tiago
Sao Tiago is the main island and home to the capital, Praia. The city isn't as beautiful as the archipelago's other city, Mindelo, but it's a pleasant place, with its centre perched on a rocky plateau known as Plato. This central area is surrounded by urban sprawl in three directions.

Some 20km (12mi) inland from Praia, the village of Sao Domingos is the closest green agricultural valley to the capital. There are one or two shops selling handicrafts. At the northern end of Sao Tiago is the island's second largest settlement, Tarrafal, which is famous for its beaches.

Sao Vicente
Sao Vicente is Cape Verde's second most important island and home to its liveliest city, Mindelo. Ships passing through Mindelo's port, the deepest in the area, attribute plenty to the high energy. Certainly the bars and nightclubs are more numerous and the restaurants a cut above those in Praia.

Fogo
The major attraction of Fogo is Mount Fogo, the 2800 meter high volcano that dominates the landscape. Ferries dock at Sao Felipe a small sleepy town with a few restaurants, hotels and bars. Hiking to the top of the volcano is not very hard, but getting to the base can be, Cha de Caldeiras was a bit cut off after a 1995 eruption.

travel to Cape Verde
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