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Travel Information on Cape Verde
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Cape Verde (CV)
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| Continent: |
Africa |
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| Area: |
4.033 km² |
| Population: |
415.294 |
| Capital city: |
Praia |
ISO code: |
CV |
| National language: |
Portuguese, Cape Verdean Crioulo |
International dialling code: |
+238 |
| Currency: |
Cape Verdean Escudo |
License plate number: |
CV |
| Flight routes from Cape Verde: |
485 |
Flight routes to Cape Verde: |
732 |
| Popular airports: |
Sal (SID),
Praia (RAI),
Boa Vista Rabil (BVC),
Sao Nicolau Preguica (SNE),
Maio Vila Maio (MMO),
Sao Filipe (SFL),
Sao Vicente San Pedro (VXE)
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| Large cities: |
Praia,
Mindelo,
Santa Maria,
Santa Cruz,
São Filipe,
Assomada,
Tarrafal,
Porto Novo,
Ribeira Brava,
Ponta do Sol,
Maio,
Sal Rei,
Pombas,
Porto dos Mosteiros,
Bofareira
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| Airlines based in Cape Verde: |
TACV,
Halcyonair
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Cape Verde travel guide (Africa)
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The Republic of Cape Verde (República de Cabo Verde) is an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, about 550 km or 300 miles off the coast of Senegal. The archipelago is made up of 15 volcanic islands in total, nine of which are inhabited. The islands are separated into two groups, the Barlavento Islands (windward) and the Sotavento Islands (leeward). The Barlovento islands include Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista and the uninhabited islands of Santa Luzia, Branco and Raso. Belonging to the Sotavento islands are Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava and the uninhabited islands of the Ilhéus Secos.
Highest Mountain: The highest point of the archipelago is the Pico do Fogo volcano with an altitude of 2839 meters on the island of Fogo.
Climate and best time to go: The climate in the Cape Verde Islands is humid all year round. Daytime temperatures vary depending on wind conditions, ranging from 20 to 30 °C. Rainfall is rare and usually falls from August to September.
Language(s) and communication: The official language is Portuguese. Creole is used colloquially. English and French are widely understood in the tourist regions.
Health and vaccination: Vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, diphtheria and tetanus is highly recommended. Adequate protection from mosquitoes and insect borne diseases and a locally purchased insect repellent are needed. Medical care is of a sufficient standard in the tourist resorts. Please take out comprehensive travel insurance with emergency repatriation cover. Visitors should peel fruit and vegetables or cook them before eating to avoid the risk of infection and take a small first aid kit.
Entry requirements: A valid passport is generally required and must be valid at least for six months from entry. The tourist visa is valid for 90 days. Those traveling with children need a valid children's passport with a photo or an entry in the passport of an accompanying parent.
More details of current vaccination, entry requirements and safety precautions are to be found on the Foreign Office website.
Arrival and onward journey: flights from the UK to Sal usually involve at least one stopover and are operated by TAP Air. From Sal TACV (Cabo Verde Airlines) operates flights to Praia (RAI), Sao Felipe (SFL), Sao Nicolao (SNE) and Sao Vicente (VXE).
Capital: The capital of Cape Verde is Praia on the island of Santiago with about 70,000 inhabitants. It is the economic centre of the whole archipelago. Near Praia there is also an international airport and several beaches. Santiago is the most densely populated island in Cape Verde and is one of the leeward islands. Santiago is of volcanic origin, the centre of the island is very rainy and the coastal lowlands dry and arid.
Landmarks and swimming: Santo Antão is the second largest island and is one of the windward islands. The island is very mountainous and is famous for its spectacular mountain ranges with deep valleys in the north. Santo Antao is the most popular island for tourism, with beautiful hiking trails and good beaches. Santo Antão is the greenest of all the islands with plenty of trees.
The island of Sal (windward) is very popular offering visitors 350 days of sunshine a year. Thanks to a steady north-east wind, the island has become a popular destination for surfers and sailors. Divers will also get their moneys worth as the coastal areas are dominated by coral reefs with parrot fish, barracudas, moray eels and even blue whales and dolphins.
Also worth seeing is the port city of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. Many cruise ships moor at the harbour and the town is also well known for the carnival which is held every year and is based on the Brazilian Carnival. The town boasts picturesque buildings from the colonial period and in 2003 was the Cultural Capital of the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Brava is the smallest of the inhabited islands. It is located only three hours by ferry from Fogo and has an attractive countryside, with the best hiking trails in the Cape Verde Islands.
Religion: 80% of the population profess to being Catholic. 10% are protestant and there are minorities of Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Large cities and accommodation: Praia, Mindelo, Santa Maria, Pedra Badejo, São Filipe.
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Favorite flights and cheap flights from and to Cape Verde / CV
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