Portal:Cape Verde
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The Republic of Cape Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde, IPA: ['kabu 'veɾdɨ]) is a republic located on an archipelago in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century (though there may have been earlier discoveries), and attained independence in 1975.
Cidade Velha (Portuguese for "old city"), or simply Sidadi in Cape Verdean Creole, is a town located 15 km from Praia (Cape Verde's capital) on Santiago. It is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde and used to serve as the capital of Cape Verde. Once called Ribeira Grande, its name was changed to Cidade Velha so to avoid confusion with another Ribeira Grande on another island.
The island was discovered and named Ribeira Grande (Portuguese for large river) by António da Noli, in 1462. In 1466 the settelment became an important port for trading slaves. Slaves from Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone were shipped from Cidade Velha to Brazil and the Caribbean.
Cidade Velha's port was a stopping place for two great navigators: Vasco of Gamma, in 1497, on his way to India, and Christopher Columbus, in 1498, while on his third voyage to the Americas.
Cidade Velha has the oldest colonial church in the world, constructed in 1495. The fort Forte Real de São Filipe that dominates the town from 120 metres of altitude, was constructed in 1590 to defend the Portuguese colony from the attacks of the French and English.
Boa Vista (Portuguese meaning “good view”) is the easternmost island of Cape Verde. It is located in the Barlavento group of the archipelago. The island is known for marine turtles and traditional music, as well as its ultramarathon and its sand dunes and beaches.
With an area of 620 km², it is the third largest island, after Santo Antão and Santiago. It is 455 km west of the coast of Africa. Much of the island is flat. The highest point on the island is Monte Estância, elevation 387 meters; other mountains include Santo António (Saint Anthony) and Monte Negro (Black Mountain). Other features include Campo da Serra. Its main town is Sal Rei, its ferry port and home to Boa Vista's airport on the northwest side of the island.
Surrounding islets include Ilhéu de Sal Rei featuring a lighthouse in the west, and Ilhéu do Baluate featuring the easternmost point in Cape Verde. Points include Ponta Antónia to the north.
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Ildo Lobo (November 25, 1953 – October 20, 2004) was a famous Cape Verdean singer. His versatile and melodic voice, commanding stage presence and trademark beret hats made him one of the all time great performers of Cape Verde[1]. Always well-known throughout the Cape Verde Islands, Lobo rose to international fame with his first solo work, “Nôs Morna”, following it with another album “Intelectual”.
Lobo was born on the island of Sal in the town of Pedra de Lume, where he worked alongside his family in the local salt mines during his youth. When the Cape Verdian salt industry died down, Lobo was forced to find other means of work. Luckily for Lobo, music was his first love. His voice would put him in constant demand at local bars and music festivals.
Local people from Santiago Island.
- ...as Adelina Domingues was born in Cape Verde (though she later emigrated to the United States), she may be considered to hold the overall longevity record at 114 years, 183 days (February 19, 1888–August 21, 2002) for the Cape Verde Islands.
- ...more Cape Verdeans live abroad than in Cape Verde itself, with significant emigrant Cape Verdean communities in the United States (500,000), Portugal (80,000) and Angola (45,000), in addition to São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, France, Brazil, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
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