Cape Verde

At a Glance

Cape Verde is an Atlantic archipelago off the West African coast with a distinctive Creole culture that blends African and Portuguese influences in its music, food, and way of life. Each island has its own personality, from the lush volcanic interior of Santo Antão to the music-filled streets of São Vicente and the golden dunes of Sal. It suits travellers who want a relaxed, warm-weather destination with a genuine local culture rather than a purely resort experience.

• No indigenous population — entirely settled by Portuguese colonists and African slaves.
• One of Africa's most stable democracies, ranked higher than many EU countries for press freedom.
• Music genre Morna — made famous by Cesária Évora — originated here.