Cape Verde Property Information

The Cape Verde government are currently enhancing the island economy and tourism is their top priority. Cape Verde is in the early stages of development as a top international tourist destination, this makes it an ideal time to invest.

"The Cape Verde Islands are the next potential holiday hotspot" BBC Holiday (Nov 2005)

The Island of Sal, "The Salt Island" is an excellent starting point from where you can island hop to discover tropical plantations, go walking around the old town in Santiago, take a breath taking mountain views of Monte Verde in Sao Vicente or simply soak up the sun and surf.

From a business perspective there are many reasons why you should consider investing in the initial pase of growth; exchange rate of the local currency is fixed to the euro, a new International Airport on the island of Santiago is now receiving direct flights from the USA and what's more, analysts predict a 70% increase in property value over the next 24 months.

During 2006 Cape Verde National carrier TACV will be introducing direct short haul flights from the UK, approximately five and a half hours flying time. Low cost operators are expected to follow shortly afterwards, increasing the accessibility to the islands, thus, increasing the rental potential of your property.

The Cape Verde Islands are the nearest tropical islands to the UK; they are awaiting you to discover them!

Area & History
The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading area for African slaves and later an important coaling and re-supply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of africa's most stable democratic governments. For now the Cape Verdeans have their own identity, proclaim their own culture and most importantly, govern themselves.

Cape Verde also known as Cabo Verde is a collection of Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 385 miles (620km) west of Senegal, West Africa. Its official name is The Republic of Cape Verde and covers 4030sq Km's. The Islands are blessed with beautiful beaches, scenery and a climate reminiscent of the Caribbean.

Facts
Population: 482,000
Capital: Praia, Santiago
Area: 4,033 sq km
Major Languages: Portuguese
Monetary unit: Cape Verdean escudo

Climate
Cape Verde is 4 hours closer to mainland UK than the Caribbean, with the ideal climate without the hurricanes!

Cape Verde enjoys a temperate climate, warm dry summers, with little and irregular rainfall. The northeast trade wind is responsible for much of the Cape Verde climate.

It is particularly noticeable from December to April, carrying so little moisture that peaks of over 600m are about the only areas that can extract any rain.

How to see the Islands
TACV has flights to every island except Brava ranging in frequency from eight times a day to once a week.

Inter Island Airlines flies between Praia and Sáo Vicente; Praia and Sal; Praia and Maio; Sáo Vicente and Sal; Cabo Verde Express offers charter day trips, in general from Sal and Boavista to Fogo.

Boats are much cheaper to travel between the islands and you are unlikely to find a ferry full to take you.

Shopping
There are daily markets. The Santa Caterina market is held Wednesday and Saturday. Local handicrafts include coconut shells, carved by local craftsmen; there is also pottery, lacework and basketry.
Shopping hours (Approximate)
Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1500-1900, Sat 0900-1300.

Eating, drinking and shopping
There is an increasing number of restaurants and cafes. The main local culinary specialty is cachupa, a hearty mix of maize, beans, herbs, cassava, and sweet potato, sometimes with chicken and or other meat. Another delicious Cape Verdean treat is pastel con diablo dentro (pastry with the devil inside) - a mix of tuna, onions, tomatoes, and pastry made from boiled potatoes and corn flour. Fruits include mangos, bananas, papayas, goiabas (guavas), zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas, tamaras and cocos.

Fish lovers will be in heaven on Cape Verde, which offers a multitude of delicacies including lobster, tuna and octopus.

Other specialties are jams and semi dried fruit, usually served with fresh goats cheese at the end of the meal.
The local brew is Grogue, and is produced locally and widely available. There are two principal beers also available widely Kelps (American Beer) and Superbock (Portuguese Beer) are very palatable.

Culture
The faces of Cape Verde are numerous: blue eyes gazing out from above a brown cheek; green eyes below the tight curls of black hair with a wisp of blond; Chinese eyes set with cocoa complexion, the peach-cheeked toddlers with blond curls and the others with skin of every brown hue in between.

Cape Verde has its own exciting mix. This was the marked emergence of the Creole nationhood.

The Cape Verdean people have their own history, the result of a unique combination of social and natural forces.

Things to do
Windsurfing on Sal - one of the best locations for windsurfers.
Fishing is best done between July and October, but Wahoo is available almost 9 months of the year. Game fishing, bottom fishing and pier fishing are all widely available.

The beaches on Sal are some of the most outstanding on Cape Verde and offer fantastic sunbathing, swimming or diving, or do a little underwater caving at the foaming lagoon of Buracona.

The waters of the coasts of Cape Verde offer some exciting dives particularly on Sal including one to the 1966 freighter Santo Antáo and the Danish 40ft ship Demfior which floundered on the east coast in the late 1940s.

Hiking - you can go for lonely long walks virtually anywhere on the island. You can visit the imposing volcano crater and salt lake of Pedra de Lume.

Nightlife
Some hotels provide evening entertainment. Small villages will have a lively taverna. most nightlife is on the main islands; there are 21 nightclubs in Cape Verde - Eight on Santiago, seven on Sal, five on São Vicente and one on Fogo. Praia has a cultural centre at which local Cape Verdean artists and instrumentalists perform.

Sal

One of the most popular tourist islands and home to the salt pits after which the island is named. These supplied most of the Portuguese empire. For surfers and divers, this is paradise and the prestigious Trilogy windsurfing competition is held in Punta Preta in the south Caves. Tunnels and reefs ensure that divers get plenty to explore. Cycling and hiking are also popular here, taking the main road from Santa Maria in the south to Espargos in the north, as a good starting point.

Boa Vista

The name means “good view” and there’s plenty of those around this island. Dominated by sand dunes, the sea is shallow and surrounded by 55 km's of fine beaches including the 16 km Santa Monica beach. Sailing, diving, surfing and fishing are good here and kayaking has become very popular. The island capital is Sal Rei, a quaint port. Chave beach is worth visiting for the craft centre, specializing in ceramics.

Sao Vicente

Party island with the capital and port, Mindelo, the focal point. Life revolves around the town square and the labyrinth of streets leading off it. Ash Wednesday marks the biggest carnival on Cape Verde or you could try the Baia das Grata music event in August that lasts for 3 days and nights. Several local singers have gone on to achieve international fame, Cesaria Evora being the most famous. San Pedro beach is great for bathers and surfers and the Monte Verde peak at 774 metres provides superb views. There is a strong British legacy here, the island is even known for it’s cricket team

Santa Antao

One of the greenest of the islands but with no real beach. The scenery is the star and that coupled with the rugged coastline makes it a magnet for walkers and hikers. A huge mountain range divides the island in 2 and there are stark contrasts between forested hills and old overgrown volcanic craters. Ponto do Sol is the capital and home to the small airport and Ribeira Grande is a popular base for explorers. Janela is famed for a huge rock covered in fifteenth century inscriptions. Do your exploring before tasting the Grogue rum on it’s island of origin, it packs quite a punch

Sao Nicolau

A quiet religious island with dramatic steep rocky peaks and black beaches reflecting it’s volcanic origins. Mount Gordo is the highest on Cape verde at 1,304 metres. For years the island lay empty until discovery in 1461 but it took another 300 years before the first settlement, Porto de Lapa was built on the coast. Pirates took a liking to the island forcing settlers inland to Ribeira Brava to live. A new port was established at Preguica in the bay of Sao Jorge and a fortress, built in 1818, helped to repel the pirates

Santiago

The African influence is strong here, particularly in Praia , the Cape Verde capital, with a bustling maze of streets full of bars and restaurants. Music provides the vibrant beat for the nightlife, which includes eight clubs and a cultural centre where local artists perform. The heart of the island is like a rain forest with a wide selection of plants and trees and even wild monkeys in some quiet areas. Ten miles from Praia is Ciadade Velhe, an old historical city worth exploring. St Filipe fortress watches over narrow cobbled streets and the old cathedral is a good stop off point. The port used to be used by europe's slave trade and in the museum of marine archaeology, you can see spoils from many ship wrecks. Tarrafal is on a hill looking over a lush valley and has one of the best beaches on any of the islands. This is also the home to the former colonial prison.

Fogo

The volcanic peak of Pico de Fogo is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Cape Verde . A small eruption happened in 1995 but the village of Chas das Caldeiras dwells in the crater and includes a vineyard and a French restaurant. If you are feeling active yourself, set aside a day to climb up the peak and into the crater. Hiring a horse is probably a better way to enjoy this journey, the views from 3,000 metres and the rare species of birds are a good reward for your efforts. The capital, Sao Filipe, is built on a cliff and boasts old colonial architecture. Also worth sampling are the local coffee, wine and grapes, you can bathe in the natural pool at Salina de Sao Jorge.

Maio

A quieter and more isolated island and very flat. The white sand beaches are virtually deserted apart from sea turtles that lay their eggs there. Only 6,000 people live on this island but you will find them friendly once you slow to their pace of life. The capital, Vila de Maio is just a small town but has a traditional church and 3 miles away, Morro is a real outpost of serenity. The scenery is impressive and hiring a vehicle will help you to appreciate it fully

Brava

The smallest island tends to get most of what little rainfall there is in Cape Verde and it’s slightly humid climate and abundant greenery has earned it the label “island of the flowers”. Look out for lots of bouganvilla, jasmine, lobelia and hibiscus. Fishing and agriculture are mainstays of the island and the landscape varies from high peaks to deep valleys. A series of small bays feature along the coast such as Furna, Anciao, Faja d’Agua and Sorno