Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

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Sao Nicolao belongs to the ‘Barlavento' or Windward group of the Cape Verde islands.

The municipality of Sao Nicolao includes the islets of Raso and Santa Luzia, which are rich in flora, fauna and interesting animals and birds.

Sao Nicolao can also be written as ‘São Nicolão' or ‘São Nicolãu'.

Map of Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

Geography and Climate of Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

Sao Nicolao has a varied landscape, with green mountain ranges reaching 1,312m (Monte Gordo), and a largely flat, dry coastline.

It measures 346 square km and is approximately 45 km long and 20km wide.

The island of Sao Nicolao has a population of about 13,000. The capital is Vila de Ribeira Brava, which is sandwiched between the two mountain ranges.

The climate is mostly dry and hot near the coast line, but as you go higher up the temperature does cool.

History of Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

The island of Sao Nicolao was discovered in 1461, though significant settlement did not occur until hundreds of years later.

At Porto da Lapa the fort of Preguiça was constructed to defend the island from attacks by pirates. The inhabitants on the coast moved inland and settled in Vale de Ribeira Brava.

Sao Nicolao later became the seat of the diocese of Cape Verde, with the seminary constructed in 1866. The seminary went on to be an important factor in the spread of Catholicism in Cape Verde and in West Africa. It was a centre of evangelisation and learning for the Cape Verdean population.

The island is most notorious for being the home of a Portuguese concentration camp. It was a prison for political prisoners during the regime of the fascist dictator Antonio Salazar. The prison was built at Tarrfal, and is still standing today.

Infrastructure and Development on Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

The island has a ferry harbour and small fishing port at Tarrafal, offering easy access by boat from other islands.

To the South of the island there is an airport for domestic flights.

Significant infrastructure on the island is restricted to the main towns such as Vale de Ribeira Brava, and some of the coastal settlements.

Elsewhere on the island electricity and water may be in short supply.

Property Investment and Developments on Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

Property investment on the island has been very little so far. There are a few adventurous developers that are on the island, but the demand to date has been fairly limited.

We feel that it is a lovely island and property development will occur at greater pace at some point in the future.

Property prices are very cheap on Sao Nicolao.

Economy and Agriculture on Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

The principal sources of income on the island of Sao Nicolao are agriculture and fishing. Tuna fishing is their speciality.

There is a fish tinning factory, which employs a significant number of people on the island.

Corn, coffee and sugar cane are the main crops on Sao Nicolao. There are also lush plantations of papaya and bananas.

Tourism on Sao Nicolao is fairly limited to the more adventurous explorer types. For those people who like to go off the beaten track, this is one of the Cape Verde islands for you.

Tourism on Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

Sao Nicolao is a haven for trekkers and hikers, offering some spectacular scenery from the mountain trails. Fajã, located in a valley to the North-West, is a pretty town which merits a visit.

At Ribeira da Prata, you will find the ‘Rocha Escrita' or inscribed rock, which predates the Portuguese arrival to the Cape Verde.

There is only one white sandy beach on Sao Nicolao, a beautiful cove which is accessed only by boat.

The black, volcanic sands of the beaches on Sao Nicolao are said to contain therapeutic properties. They are meant to be beneficial for people with arthritis and other similar conditions. Local people also massage with a special seaweed mix.

There is plenty of fishing to be done on the island. The local fishermen will often take you out on their boats. Blue Marlin inhabites the local waters.

There are also some impressive reefs for diving.

The uninhabited islets of Raso and Santa Luzia are worth visiting, as there are several rare species of bird and lizard.

Culture and People of Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde

The people of Sao Nicolao live generally in small, coastal communities or in the capital Vale de Ribeira Brava.

The island is renowned for being the most religious, traditional and quiet of the archipelago.

There are some fascinating local traditions including noisy baptism celebrations, to ward off witches and lengthy wedding preparations.

Important dates on Sao Nicolao Island Cape Verde