Boavista IslandBeing the closest island of the archipelago of the African continent has the climate and landscape markedly influenced by hot dry winds from the Sahara.With a surface of 622 km2, the third largest island of Cape Verde has an extremely flat relief with eruptive outcrops of sedimentary rocks in certain areas.
The highest point is the "Pico d’Estância" peak with 390 meters. To the north and west of the island the landscape is something amazing, with its extensive sand dunes along with several oasis of palms and coconut trees forming a desert environment as exemplified by the Viana Desert. Sal Rei is the capital of the island. The island life goes by with great simplicity and stems mainly around its harbor, mainly with the tuna fishing and lobster diving. In front the islet of Sal Rei still has memories of its history in the ruins of the old fort of the Duke of Bragança built for defense against frequent attacks by pirates. The outline of Boavista island is designed as a perfect semi-desert environment, extensive and solitary beaches of white sand, topped off by a sea of turquoise crystal clear water that result in fantastic beaches that stretch for 50 Km around the island. Starting from the main town, Salrei, are the smaller beaches of Estoril and Cascais. To the South extends the immense beaches that define the future of this island in tourism. The beaches of Chaves, in which still resist the ruins of the Ancient Pottery Factory, the Varandinha, Curralinho and Santa Monica will be for sure in the future, internationally known. In this journey arise here and there, wide expanses of lush greenery, full of coconut trees, corn and pastures, were not this island the one that holds the largest groundwater basin in the Cape Verde archipelago. With its new international airport (in operation since November 2007) and the road Rabil-Lacacão that will unite for 22 km on 2 tracks and 4-way, the seaport, airport and major urban centers to the touristisc areas. Will make Boavista one of the islands with the greatest potential for the development of Sea Tourism, as it offers excellent conditions for water sports, such as "surfing", diving, deep sea fishing, may find themselves wide variety of fish. The hosting facilities, formerly scarce and compensated by the hospitality of the islands people, will rise rapidly and significantly by the construction of holiday villages and hotel units.
In another direction, inland, crossing the North Valley, the inner landscape is desertic. There are small villages where the inhabitants in a constant struggle against the water scarcity, insist on maintaining the activity which was the first of the island the livestock. During the rainy season they make the well-known Boavista's goat cheese. In a journey of two hours going through the towns of João Galego, Fundo das Figueiras e Cabeça dos Tarafes, we reach the Ervatão beach, a protected area, where the red turtle spawns in the spring and summer time . The Boavista should be considered not only for their beatiful beaches but also for their islets, areas of great variety in the landscape and with great faunal and botanical value with a variety of interesting aspects for the appreciators. One should not miss the sea-seeing trips around the island in charge of several companies providing this service. The local culinary specialty is the "Botchada". Island Festivities St John (June 24), celebrated on all the islands of the archipelago. Festivities of St. Elizabeth and Nha `Day of the City (04 July). |
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