The Cape Verde Islands (Cape Verde) are called a precious necklace consisting of ten large and eight smaller islands. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean, 650 km west of Dakar - the capital of Senegal. The archipelago is located opposite the westernmost point of the African continent. Of the ten large islands, nine are inhabited. The capital is the city of Praia, located on the island of Santiago.
Island history
Sal Island is the oldest in the Cape Verde Archipelago. Its history spans nearly fifty million years. It was then that a small piece of land rose above the water after the volcanic eruption. Over the past millions of years, it has turned into a plain. Sal is an island that, according to the official version, was discovered by sailors from Portugal Diego Gomes and Antonio de Noli. They called it Plana or Llana, which translates as "plain."
However, researchers are inclined to believe that the true discoverers of the island were the Moors from Africa, who long before the advent of the Portuguese knew about this island and even mined salt there. Interestingly, the Portuguese were in no hurry to populate the island of Sal due to lack of fresh water. For several centuries this territory was used for grazing livestock, mainly goats.
An important event took place in the history of the island in 1833: a rich salt deposit was discovered in the crater near the village of Pedro de Lume. This mineral gave the island an impetus for development and the second name is Sal, which translates as “island of salt”. The development of this field required the settlement of the island. So the first settlers appeared here. The extracted salt was transported to Brazil and Africa.
Since 1975, Sal Island became part of the democratic independent Republic of Cape Verde.
Climatic conditions
The Cape Verde Archipelago has a very mild climate, with an average annual temperature of +26 ° C. There are no tropical showers and seasonal rains. Each of the islands of Cape Verde has its own landscape character and natural conditions. The climate here is tropical, dry. In February-March, the water in the ocean warms up to +22 ° C, in August-October - up to +28 ° C.
Sometimes poets call Cape Verde islands that are woven from the wind. Indeed, thanks to its refreshing impulses, no heat is felt on the island. The rainy season does not justify its name at all: during August-October, when the southwestern monsoons are activated, the likelihood of rain increases, but this does not mean that it will rain.
Sal Island in Cape Verde
The area is perfect for a quiet, peaceful vacation. This relatively small island belongs to the Cape Verde archipelago. Sal Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 216 square kilometers. Width does not exceed 12 kilometers. About 25 thousand people constantly live on the island. The official religion is Catholicism, which the local population inherited from the expansion of the Portuguese.
The population speaks Portuguese and Creole, but understands and speaks fluently in English and French. The largest city is Santa Maria - a local tourist center. The basis of the economy is developing tourism.
Half of all travelers visiting Cape Verde prefer a holiday on the island of Sal. The infrastructure is well developed here: many hotels, shops, restaurants and banks. A significant part of budget revenues comes from the international airport. Flights from it depart to all the capitals of Europe. In addition, the population of the island is engaged in fishing.
Relief
Sal is an island with a flat topography, its highest point is Mount Monte Grande, which rises 406 meters above sea level. The landscape of the island is formed by flat plains and white sand dunes, on which rock crests appear in places. Due to such an unusual combination of plains and rocky hills, the island's landscape resembles a mysterious lunar landscape.
The ledges of rocks of an unusual shape indicate that the island of Sal is of volcanic origin, and white sand is brought here from Africa by powerful oceanic winds.
Sal Island (Cape Verde): holidays
The most popular and most visited island of the archipelago is undoubtedly Sal. It is here that travelers most often stay on vacation, and visit other islands only during excursions for sightseeing and magnificent landscapes.
Today, thousands of tourists visit Cape Verde annually. Sal Island is of interest to both fans of beach vacations and lovers of active. The coastal waters of the island offer amazing opportunities for diving enthusiasts. Tourists who dive here can see magnificent coral reefs, the famous Blue Room cave, which has uneven walls, the skeleton of a ship sunken in antiquity.
The picturesque bays of the island are ideal for windsurfing, both for experienced athletes and beginners who hone their skills and mastery in shallow bays near the city of Santa Maria. For athletes with experience, Punta Pretta Beach is more suitable, where international competitions in this sport are regularly held.
Admirers of a relaxing beach holiday will be able to appreciate the long sandy beaches, unusually blue cloudless sky and crystal clear coastal waters. Sal Island is famous for its white sandy beaches stretching along its shores. Guests of the island have a unique opportunity to swim in the Buracon basin in a rock located on the coast. The salt deposit, to which the island owes its name and the appearance of the population on it, is today used for medicinal purposes.
Island Attractions
All visitors to Cape Verde are recommended to buy a guide to the island of Sal right at the airport, especially if you came not from the tour group. This will help you see the most interesting things on the island, but there is something to see here. And first of all you, of course, pay attention to the modern airport.
On this amazing island, buildings of colonial times, multi-storey buildings and modern cottages harmoniously combine, the construction of which began in the nineties of the last century. In the north of the island is the city of Santa Maria. It is the largest and most populated on the island. Here life is in full swing day and night.
However, all the best entertainment venues cannot compare with the atmosphere of the local market, where city guests find the most unexpected gizmos. Among the huge number of fragrant and variegated goods, you are sure to find an original souvenir that will remind you of the trip.
Santa Maria hosts festivities every week. Residents of the town prefer that guests keep them company in traditional entertainment. Every year in mid-September, the city hosts the most colorful music festival, which attracts residents of neighboring islands.
Those who like to explore and photograph unique landscapes should definitely visit Burakona - an unusually beautiful place among the volcanic rocks, where there is a natural pool with impeccably clear ocean water that gets here during the surf.
Where to stay?
Today, vacation in Cape Verde is not too widespread in our country, therefore, many questions arise for those who first go to the island of Sal. Where to live? Where to eat
On a relatively small island there are a huge number of hotels. Here you can rent both chic apartments and rather modest rooms at a very affordable price.
Dunas de Sal 4 *
The modern hotel is set in a garden with two swimming pools 300 meters from the beach. Guests have access to the gym and spa. The hotel is only 17 kilometers from Amilkar Cabral International Airport.
The comfortable rooms are equipped with modern furniture, equipped with split systems, a minibar and satellite TV. All rooms are originally decorated in a contemporary style, many have a balcony and a spa bath.
Guests will be pleasantly surprised by the variety and originality of local and international dishes offered in the restaurant with terrace. The hotel bar serves live music once a week.
