ABSTRACT
The Cape Verde Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some 450 kilometres (about 300 miles) off the west coast of Africa. This volcanic archipelago includes ten islands and five islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups. The main islands in the Barlavento group are Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista; those of the Sotavento group include Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. All the larger islands except Santa Luzia are inhabited. Three islands – Sal, Boa Vista and Maio – generally are level and very dry. Mountains higher than 1280m are found on Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão and São Nicolau.
