Factos e Informações turísticas a quem nos visita
Interesting Facts
Cape Verde became independent from Portugal on 5th July 1975
The highest point in the archipelago is Mount Fogo, a volcano reaching 2,829 metres in height
The island has a unique and exotic Creole culture which has absorbed influences from Brazil, Portugal and musical vibes from Senegal.
Cape Verdeans trust in the power of "cachupa", a local fish stew, to transform a simple meal into an occasion for storytelling and sharing memories.
The natural resources are salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay and gypsum.
Currency: | The Cape Verde escudo (CVE) is fixed to the Euro at the rate of 1 Euro = 110.265CVE. |
Climate: | Dry Tropical |
Sunshine: | 10 to 12 hours a day |
Language: | Portuguese & Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) |
Main Cities: | Praia, Mindelo & S.Filipe |
Time Zones: | One hour behind GMT (GMT - 1 hour) |
Visas: | Visas are compulsory and cost approximately €25 |
Area: | 4,033 square kilometers (slightly larger than Rhode Island) |
Terrain: | Steep, rugged, rocky and volcanic |
Population: | 505,489 (July 2012 est.) |
Flying Times: | 5.5 hours from the UK; 8 hours from the USA |
Useful Information
AIRPORTS:
Boa Vista - Aristides Pereira International Airport
Sal - Amílcar Cabral International Airport
São Vicente - Cesária Évora International Airport
Santiago - Nelson Mandela International Airport
PORTS:
Mindelo & Praia
HEALTH:
No vaccinations are required for entry to Cape Verde. Water is unsafe to drink without prior treatment. Medical facilities are limited and some medicines in short supply. Visitors receive free hospital treatment in general hospitals on presenting their passports, but health insurance is strongly advised, with coverage for emergency repatriation.
SAFETY:
Visits to Cape Verde are usually trouble free. The political situation is stable and crime rate low. The only danger is presented by occasional hazardous sea conditions around the islands.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The country code is +238. City codes are not required. The archipelago's main cities can be reached by International Direct Dialling. Mobile network coverage - including 3G reception - became very reliable in most towns in the last couple of years.
FOOD:
The fish is fantastic and fresh – straight from the sea and into the kitchen and served simply to your table. Good pizza and pasta are on offer in restaurants and cafes as well as local specialties like "cachupa", fresh tuna and lobster. "Cachupa" is the staple food of the islands and it is a slow boiled stew of hominy corn, beans, vegetables, spices and marinated pork or tuna.
The national wine comes directly from the island of Fogo, and a local lager is brewed on the main Cape Verde island, Santiago. Cape Verde cuisine is Portuguese inspired and most food comes by ship. Tomatoes, peppers and papaya are grown locally but a lot of food is imported.