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Cape Verde - Island of Santiago |
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Measuring 55km by 29km, Santiago is the largest of the Cape Verde Islands and is considered the most " African " in terms of feel and culture.
Two towering mountain chains characterise the interior with lush banana, mango and papaya plantations, while the coastline has small sandy palm-fringed coves.
An international airport has recently been completed at Praia, the islands capital city. Praia has an interesting marine archaeology museum dedicated to
documenting the various shipwrecks that have occurred around the islands. The historic old port city, Cidade Velha, was a major slave-trading post and retains cobbled lanes and stone buildings in the shadow of its old 15th-century fortress
and Cathedral.
Places to visit
Cidade Velha
Originally named Ribeira Grande, this is the old capital of the island. Throughout
the 16th Century it suffered numerous pirates attacks, as well as being attacked
by forces in the battle of the succession to the throne of Portugal, but it was the French pirate, J Cassard, who finally devastated the town in 1712. Cidade Velha is the birthplace of Cape Verdean culture and there are still many ruins to testify to
its sumptuous past.
The road from Praia to Tarrafal
From Praia you head towards Assomada with a stop at Sao Jorge de Orgaos to
see the streets lined with millions of bougainvilla. As you approach Assomada you pass the highest peak on the island with magnificent views of the local scenery
and onto the town of Assomada itself with attractive colonial style houses and a vibrant local market.
From here the road goes to Boa Entrada where a truly magnificent tree stands - called " Pei de Polom " before heading to Ribeira de Barca. Here you can take a boat trip to a grotto called " Aguas Bella " or pretty waters, which is a lovely beach in a cave.
Next you arrive at Tarrafel. Here you can visit an old political prison before resting at Tarrafels beautiful beach.
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