Sal Island in Cape Verde: description, sights and interesting facts

The islands of Cape Verde (Cape Verde) are called a precious necklace, consisting of ten large and eight smaller islands. They are 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 major islands, nine are inhabited. The capital is the city of Praia, located on the island of Santiago.

History of the island

Sal Island is the oldest in the Cape Verde archipelago. Its history is almost fifty million years old. It was then that a small area of land rose above the water after the eruption of the volcano. Over the past millions of years it has turned into a plain. Sal is an island, which, according to the official version, was opened by seafarers from Portugal Diego Gomes and Antonio de Noli. They called it Plan or Lian, which translates as "plain."

However, researchers tend to believe that the true discoverers of the island were Moors from Africa, who long before the appearance of the Portuguese knew about this island and even mined salt there. Interestingly, the Portuguese did not hurry to populate the island of Sal because of a lack of fresh water. For several centuries this territory was used for grazing livestock, mostly goats.

In the history of the island in 1833 an important event occurred: near the village of Pedro de Lume, a rich salt deposit was discovered in the crater. This mineral gave the island a boost to development and the second name is Sal, which translates as "island of salt". The development of this field required the settling of the island. So here the first settlers appeared. The extracted salt was transported to Brazil and Africa.

Since 1975, Sal Island has become part of the democratic independent Republic of Cape Verde.

Climatic conditions

The Cape Verde archipelago is characterized by a very mild climate, the average annual temperature is +26 ° C. There are no tropical showers and seasonal rains. Each of the islands of Cape Verde has its own character of the landscape 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 - to + 26 ° C.

Sometimes poets call Cape Verde islands that are woven from the wind. Indeed, thanks to its refreshing rushes on the island, there is no heat. The rainy season does not justify its name: during the August-October, when the south-western monsoons are activated, the probability of rain rises, but this does not mean that it will necessarily shed.

Sal Island in Cape Verde

The area is perfect for a quiet, peaceful holiday. This relatively small island belongs to the archipelago of Cape Verde. Sal Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 216 square kilometers. The width does not exceed 12 kilometers. The island is home to about 25 thousand people. The official religion is Catholicism, which the local population inherited from the expansion of the Portuguese.

The population speaks the Creole dialect, but at the same time understands and freely speaks English, French and Portuguese. 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 rest on the island of Sal. Here the infrastructure is perfectly developed: many hotels, shops, restaurants and banks. A significant part of the revenues to the budget comes from the international airport. Flights from it go to all the capitals of Europe. In addition, the island's population is engaged in fishing.

Relief

Sal is an island with a flat terrain, its highest point is the Monte Grande mountain, which rises to 406 meters above sea level. The landscape of the island form flat plains and white sand dunes, where the ridges of rocks stand in places. Because of this unusual combination of plains and rocky hills, the island's landscape resembles a mysterious lunar landscape.

Rock formations of 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): recreation

The most popular and visited island of the archipelago, undoubtedly, is Sal. It is here that travelers often stop for rest, while other islands are visited only during excursions for sightseeing and magnificent landscapes.

Today thousands of tourists visit Cape Verde every year. Sal Island attracts interest both from fans of beach holidays, and from lovers of the active. Coastal waters of the island offer tremendous opportunities for adherents of diving. Tourists who dive here can see magnificent coral reefs, the famous cave "Blue Room", which has uneven walls, the skeleton of the ship sunk in ancient times.

Picturesque bays of the island are ideal for windsurfing, both for experienced athletes and beginners, who hone their skills and skills in shallow bays near the city of Santa Maria. For athletes with experience, the Punta-Pretta beach is more suitable, where international competitions are regularly held for this sport.

Admirers of a serene beach holiday will be able to appreciate the long sandy beaches, the unusually blue cloudless sky and crystal clear coastal waters. The island of Sal is famous for its white sandy beaches stretching along its banks. Guests of the island have a unique opportunity to swim in the Buracona Basin in a cliff located on the coast. The salt deposit, to which the island owes its name and the appearance of the population on it, is now used for medicinal purposes.

Sights of the island

All visitors to Cape Verde, we recommend you to buy a guide to the island of Sal directly at the airport, especially if you did not come in the tour group. This will help you to see all the fun on the island, and there is something to see here. And first of all, you, of course, pay attention to the modern airport.

This amazing island harmoniously combines the buildings of colonial times, multi-storey houses and modern cottages, the construction of which began in the nineties of last century. In the north of the island is the city of Santa Maria. It is the largest and most populous on the island. Here, life beats the key, day and night.

However, all the best entertainment complexes can not compare with the atmosphere of the local market, where the guests of the city find the most unexpected things. Among the huge amount of fragrant and colorful products, you are sure to find an original souvenir that will remind you of the trip.

Every week in Santa Maria, folk festivities are held. Residents of the town prefer that guests make them a company in traditional entertainment. Every year in mid-September the city hosts the most colorful music festival, which attracts residents of neighboring islands.

For those who like to study and photograph unique landscapes, you should certainly visit Burakona - an unusually beautiful place among the volcanic rocks, where there is a natural pool with immaculately clear ocean water, which falls here during the surf.

Where to stay?

Today, the rest in Cape Verde is not too widespread in our country, so there are many questions among those who first go to the island of Sal. Where to live? Where to eat?

On a relatively small island there is a huge number of hotels and hotels. Here you can rent and luxury apartments, and quite modest rooms at a quite democratic price.

Dunas de Sal 4 *

The modern hotel is located in a garden with two swimming pools 300 meters from the beach. Guests can use the gym and spa. From the Amilcar Cabral International Airport, the hotel is only 17 kilometers away.

Comfortable rooms, furnished with modern furniture, equipped with split systems, a minibar and a TV with satellite channels. All rooms are originally decorated in a modern style, many have a balcony and a hydromassage bath.

Guests will be pleasantly surprised by the variety and originality of local dishes, as well as international cuisine, which they will be offered in the restaurant with a terrace. The hotel bar offers live music once a week.

Aquamarina Suites THe 4 *

The hotel is located in the center of Santa Maria in two minutes of leisurely walk from the beach, as well as the main square of the city. The rooms of this hotel are equipped with air conditioning, LCD TV. Almost all have a living room with TV and upholstered furniture. From the balconies you can enjoy stunning views of the ocean. Economy rooms offer a kitchen.

In the morning, the hotel restaurant offers a buffet breakfast. The bar offers drinks and Indian cuisine in the Bombay restaurant. The hotel offers car rental and free private parking on site.

According to tourists, the trip to Cape Verde, in particular to the island of Sal, leaves a lot of bright and pleasant impressions.