Bom dia! Welcome to the ten volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic—Cabo Verde!
Our journey brings us to Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), a stunning archipelago located about 570 kilometers off the coast of West Africa. There are around 600,000 people living here, and the capital is Praia, located on the largest island, Santiago. The official language is Portuguese, though Cape Verdean Creole is the soulful mother tongue spoken by almost everyone in daily life.
Cabo Verde covers about 4,033 square kilometers (1,557 square miles). To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the state of Rhode Island or about half the size of the island of Corsica. The islands are divided into two groups: the Barlavento (windward) islands in the north and the Sotavento (leeward) islands in the south, ranging from the jagged volcanic peaks of Fogo to the endless white sand dunes of Boa Vista.
The most popular sports are Football and Windsurfing, with the islands being world-renowned for their perfect Atlantic swells. Their national animal is the Grey-headed Kingfisher, a vibrant bird that thrives in the archipelago’s diverse landscapes.
The flag consists of a blue field with a white and red horizontal stripe across the lower third and a circle of ten gold stars where the blue represents the sea and sky, the white symbolizes peace, the red stands for the effort of the people, and the ten stars represent the main islands of the nation.
The food is a delicious “Creole” fusion of Portuguese and African flavors, heavily featuring fresh seafood and tropical corn. You must try Cachupa, the national dish, which is a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, and fish or meat. Another favorite is Pastel com diabo dentro (Pastry with the devil inside), a spicy deep-fried dumpling filled with fresh tuna and onions. For a sweet treat, look for Doce de Papaia (papaya jam) often served with local cheese. You should also try Grogue, the potent national rum distilled from sugarcane.
Cabo Verde is home to Pico do Fogo, an active volcano that is the highest point in the country and offers incredible hiking right up to its blackened crater. The country features the Salinas de Pedra de Lume, a salt mine located inside an extinct volcanic crater where you can float in water that is even saltier than the Dead Sea. You can visit the historic town of Cidade Velha, the first European colonial outpost in the tropics and a UNESCO World Heritage site. For a cultural experience, head to Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, the cultural heart of the islands and the home of the world-famous “Barefoot Diva,” Cesária Évora. Interestingly, there are more Cape Verdeans living abroad than there are on the islands themselves!
From the rhythmic sounds of Morna music to the sun-drenched beaches of Sal, Cabo Verde is a land of “Morabeza”—a unique word that describes the legendary hospitality and soul of the people. Obrigadu! That means “Thank you!”