Interested in visiting one of the Cape Verde islands? We don’t blame you! These islands are a great change from your usual Canary or Balearic island holidays, and have so much to offer in terms of an exciting escape.
We’ve compiled a list of fun facts about these ten islands, which lie just off the coast of West Africa. Take a read – you’ll be booking your next holiday here before you know it!
1. Cape Verde is named after Cap Vert, which means Green Cape in Senegal, which is the western most point in Africa
2. The islands are divided into two sections – the Barlavento islands and the Sotavento islands
3. The natural winds on the clear sea waters make Cape Verde one of the best spots for windsurfing, diving and kite surfing!
4. The islands are the 3rd largest nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead turtles. The beaches of Boa Vista and Santa Maria give you the rare opportunity to see these animals in the wild. An absolutely amazing sight!
5. Charles Darwin studied flora and fauna in Cape Verde in 1832
6. The highest point is Mount Fogo, an active volcano. Its highest peak is 2,829 meters above sea level
7. The currency used in Cape Verde is the Escudo
8. The language spoken in Cape Verde is Portuguese, as the islands were a Portuguese colony from 1462-1975
9. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia
10. The country has 1,1557 square miles of land
11. The flight time for Cape Verde holidays from the UK is approximately 6 hours 15 minutes – and is great for holidays all year round!
12. The time difference is GMT – 1 hour
13. If you have a British Citizen passport, you can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa
14. There is one goat for every two people on the islands!
15. Temperatures rarely drop from the mid-twenties, with the winter months averaging 23°C and the summer months reaching around 27°C
16. Although the salt mines have long gone at Sal, the saltpans remain and are great for bathing in. Due to their buoyancy, you can float on the surface!
17. There are no mosquito’s in Cape Verde. Perfect – no nasty bites!
18. Espargos, Sal’s capital city, means ‘asparagus’ in Portuguese. This refers to the wild vegetable asparagus stalks, that grow in sandy areas around the island.
And as for the rest…you’ll have to find out for yourself!
Take a look at our best deals to Cape Verde here. These amazing islands are perfect for an exciting escape at any time of year!
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