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Cape Verde
Direct flights from the UK in November 2006
A new and up-and-coming investment area - the Cape Verde islands are around 400 miles off the west coast of Africa and more or less the same latitude as the top Caribbean holiday destinations. |
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So that means a comfortable year-round climate especially for winter sun.
There are 10 islands and 8 islets with a population of about 482,000 people.
Up
until now you could only get to Cape Verde by air via southern European or African airports or by sea. However the first ever direct flights between the UK and Cape Verde will be launched in November 2006 when Astraeus starts new weekly flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Sal, the main international airport in the group of Atlantic Ocean islands. The Astraeus flights will be approximately six
hours – between two-thirds and half the length of flights to the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida. Current price indications are for London-Cape Verde return at £329 including taxes, fees and fuel supplement.
In 2004, only about a thousand British tourists visited the Cape Verde islands, but they're set to be one of the top destinations for 2006, and although tourism is on
the rise, there are concerns that it poses a threat to the Cape Verde's rich marine life. It is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles and humpback whales
feed in the islands' waters.
The climate is dry tropical with an average temperature ranging between 21C to 31C with water temperatures between 22C and 27C. There are 2 seasons, a dry season between November and July and a comparatively moderate humid season between August and October. Daily sunshine averages 6 to 7 hours between
August and October and 10 to 12 hours for the rest of the year.
For full details of Astraeus' new service and how to book, visit
www.FlyAstraeus.com or telephone reservations on 01293 579000.
UK independent airline Astraeus commenced operations in 2002, employs more
then 300 people and operates a fleet of Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft from a
number of UK airports, flying charter and scheduled route to destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Cape Verde Facts
Population : 482,000 ( UN, 2005 )
Capital : Praia
Area : 4,033 sq km ( 1,557 sq miles )
Major languages : Portuguese, Crioulo ( a mixture of archaic Portuguese and African words )
Major religions : Christianity
Life expectancy : 67 years ( men ), 73 years ( women ) ( UN )
Monetary unit : 1 Cape Verdean escudo = 100 centavos
Main exports : Shoes, clothes, fish, bananas, hides, pozzolana ( volcanic rock,
used to make cement )
Internet domain : .cv
International dialling code : +238
History
Cape Verde was uninhabited when thePortuguese arrived in 1456, and the islands were made part of the Portuguese empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde became an important watering station, then sugar cane plantation site, and later a major center of the slave trade.
In 1975, the islands achieved independence, partially due to the efforts of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. After independence, the PAIGC attempted to unite Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau into one nation, the PAIGC controlling both governments, but a coup in the latter nation in 1980 ended these plans. In Cape Verde itself the PAICV ( affiliated with the PAIGC ) governed until democratic elections were held in 1991 that resulted in a change of government. The MpD ( Movimento para a Democracia ) won that
election and it was re-elected in 1996. The PAICV returned to power in 2001, and they achieved the re-election in 2006.
Quick Clicks
Apartments and villas for sale in Cape Verde >>
Cape Verde Buyers Guide >>
Reasons to invest in property in Cape Verde >> |
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