Cape
Verde’s largest
'gateway' island with
its international
airport is home to
the capital Praia
– distinctly
African, noisy, crowded
and bustling in the
the city centre with
its African markets.
Cidade
Velha lies a short
distance from Praia,
once the illustrious
Portuguese capital
of Cape Verde, with
a grand cathedral
and a magnificent
fort. The history
of the island is continued
in the village with
its carefully prepared
museum. Cidade Velha’s
fortunes were built
on the slave trade
between African, Americans
and Europeans.
For over 200 years
merchant galleons
visited Santiago to
barter and buy manpower
imported from West
Africa. Captain Cook,
Sir Francis Drake
and Vasco de Gama
also docked in Cidade
on their voyages of
discovery. Archaeologists
are currently exploring
a 14th century Jesuit
college, further evidence
of Cidade’s
rich history and historical
importance.
A
circular tour of the
island can be completed
in a day, although
two is recommended
to take everything
in. The
island has a mountainous
interior with two
large mountain chains,
the highest point
being Pico d’Antonia
at 1392m.The
centre of Santiago
is fertile and farming
is evident, bananas,
papaya and maize thrive
here; seeing the occasional
wind-powered wells.
There are also some
excellent botanical
gardens and a bustling
African market in
Assomada, the central
island city.
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