Sal Island
Ravaged by winds, is the flattest island of the archipelago and despite its volcanic origin, its highest point, Mount Grande rises only 406 meters from the sea level. Is the closest to the African continent, subjected to similar climatic conditions that exist at the same latitude, in that continent, appears very arid.
With an elongated shape has a length of 30 km in the north to south direction and a width not exceeding 12 km in the east to west direction. Sal Island, with an area of 215 km2, started to have a significant economic activity in the mid-sixteenth century, with the exploration of its salt of excellent quality and in considerable amounts, which lasted until 1985. |
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Nevertheless, its importance entered into decline in the early nineteenth century with the difficulties of disposing to their traditional markets in South America, particularly Brazil. In 1949, seeking a stopover point for flights to South America, was built the Amilcar Cabral International Airport, today the main point of entry into the country.
The early development of this island is due to Manuel António Martins who in 1830 founded the town of Santa Maria. It was him that started the settlement through internal migration, especially coming from São Nicolau and Boavista islands . The Sal island has on the town of Espargos, the administrative capital and also the largest population concentration. The existence of the International Airport, the sun, the temperate climate, considered one of the world's best the beaches of and fine golden sands, crystal clear sea, made ??this island seaside resort of Cape Verde, par excellence, attracting, since the decade 1960, the attention of foreign visitors. |
Despite its dryness and almost lunar aspect, this island captivates visitors because of the friendliness and intimacy of its people.
Santa Maria, a touristic village, with a white sandy beach 8 km long, where one arrives by a modern highway, and the obligatory visit sites such as the "Salinas de Pedra de Lume", situated inside the crater of an extinct volcano, where we can take a 20 times saltier water bath than the sea without the risk of going to the bottom, the Buracona an excavation in the rock where the sun's rays when penetrate the water produce very beautiful and enigmatic effects.
The Fontona, in ancient times a leafy oasis of date palms, coconut palms and tamarind trees, the fishing village of Palmeira, the beach of Calheta Funda, the sun setting on the beach of Ponta Preta, perfect for hiking and surfing, the Bay of Algodoeiro, the cove of Calheta Funda, the calm, shallow waters of the Bay of Murdeira, ideal for a session of underwater fishing, transformed Sal island in the most international of the islands of Cape Verde welcoming, for the last 20 years, important hotel and tourist facilities of international standards.
The island of Sal, undoubtedly gathers exceptional conditions for the practice of bathing tourism. Throughout the year!
The environment is friendly and quiet. Security is total. Here is discussed the Portuguese football, drinking of beer and Portuguese wine. There is talk in Portuguese. Good restaurants and nice bars, pubs and clubs complement the hotel offer.
One of the main natural attractions of the island of Sal is its marine fauna biodiversity, and resident and migratory seabirds. To enjoy all its beauty there are several proposals for diving and fishing.
Water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing and the rides, mountain bike or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs and Jeeps) know great expansion.
The islands gastronomical specialty we cannot miss the "Catchupa" (based on chicken, beef, pork, sausages and vegetables, corn, beans, cabbage and potatoes) or the delights of the sea with lobster, stone barnacle and other seafood, kebabs and fish stews.
Festivities
In September we can atend the Musical Festival of Santa Maria Beach. Throughout the year there are some festivities of religious nature. The most prominent are the Santa Cruz, St. Anthony, St. Anne and Our Lady of Mercy.
Santa Maria, a touristic village, with a white sandy beach 8 km long, where one arrives by a modern highway, and the obligatory visit sites such as the "Salinas de Pedra de Lume", situated inside the crater of an extinct volcano, where we can take a 20 times saltier water bath than the sea without the risk of going to the bottom, the Buracona an excavation in the rock where the sun's rays when penetrate the water produce very beautiful and enigmatic effects.
The Fontona, in ancient times a leafy oasis of date palms, coconut palms and tamarind trees, the fishing village of Palmeira, the beach of Calheta Funda, the sun setting on the beach of Ponta Preta, perfect for hiking and surfing, the Bay of Algodoeiro, the cove of Calheta Funda, the calm, shallow waters of the Bay of Murdeira, ideal for a session of underwater fishing, transformed Sal island in the most international of the islands of Cape Verde welcoming, for the last 20 years, important hotel and tourist facilities of international standards.
The island of Sal, undoubtedly gathers exceptional conditions for the practice of bathing tourism. Throughout the year!
The environment is friendly and quiet. Security is total. Here is discussed the Portuguese football, drinking of beer and Portuguese wine. There is talk in Portuguese. Good restaurants and nice bars, pubs and clubs complement the hotel offer.
One of the main natural attractions of the island of Sal is its marine fauna biodiversity, and resident and migratory seabirds. To enjoy all its beauty there are several proposals for diving and fishing.
Water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing and the rides, mountain bike or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs and Jeeps) know great expansion.
The islands gastronomical specialty we cannot miss the "Catchupa" (based on chicken, beef, pork, sausages and vegetables, corn, beans, cabbage and potatoes) or the delights of the sea with lobster, stone barnacle and other seafood, kebabs and fish stews.
Festivities
In September we can atend the Musical Festival of Santa Maria Beach. Throughout the year there are some festivities of religious nature. The most prominent are the Santa Cruz, St. Anthony, St. Anne and Our Lady of Mercy.