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REPUBLIC OF CABO-VERDE

São Tiago is the most African of all the islands, a characteristic which stands out especially during traditional festivals and music. It is  the largest island in the archipelago and was the first to be populated and is the most densely populated.It is now considered to be the most ancientwhich makes for some wonderful scenery and excellent opportunities.  The island has mountainous interior with two large mountain chains, the highest point being Pico de Antónia at 1392m

SÃO TIAGO ISLAND

The town of Tarrafal situated on a hillside a few meters above sea level has  traditionally  been  developed to fishing.

The coastline is mainly abrupt with small sandy  beaches. Variety can be found through beautiful landscapes, rural villages, colourful markets, botanic gardens, palm fringed beaches and lively nightlife of the capital city of Praia.

The  green valley  of coconut palms opens out    into a blue bay across a beach of white sand.

SÃO TIAGO was  he  first  island  to  be  populated  after  the Portuguese discovery of  Cabo-Verde in the XV  century.  The economy of the island was developed mainly through the use of African slave labour. As a result it became a commercial trading post with the  African Continent and naturally assimilated more of the African influence than the rest islands.  Pirate attacks were frequent on the capital town of RIBEIRA GRANDE, the name given to CIDADE VELHA, at that time . ASSOMADA- São Tiago's second City, popular for its large market.

Wtih traditional Caboverdian food and  clothing the market offers great opportunities to bring home a piece of Cabo-Verde. In 1583, it was also attacked by forces supporting the Prior of Crato, in the battle for the succession to the throne of Portugal and the French pirate J. Cassard finally devasted the town in 1712.  It was from this point on that PRAIA assumed predominance and today remains the capital of the Republic of Cabo-Verde.

CIDADE VELHA - A small historic town  located 15km from Praia, representing an encounter with the past of São Tiago.  With many significant ruins including the São Filipe and Se Cathedral. Cidade Velha/Ribeira Grande was the first capital of the Caboverdian islands and is the birthplace of Caboverdian culture.  There are still a number of ruins testifying to its sumptuous past   The fortress of São Filipe for example is still fairly well preserved.

TARRAFAL A visit to TARRAFAL should done in stages: The first step is PRAIA to ASSOMADA. The scenery along the route is magnificient and a stop at São Jorge dos Orgãos is a must to see the streets full of bougainville.  Further on towards  ASSOMADA is the highest peak on the island, called the Pico de Antónia.  In  ASSOMADA itself, houses are very attractive.  From ASSOMADA, the road goes to Boa Entrada and one can admire a magnificent tree here of extraordinary proportions with the name of (Polon). On the way to RIBEIRA da BARCA there  is a deep canyon which is also worth seeing.  In Ribeira da Barca, take a boat trip to the grotto called (Àguas Belas) which is very unusual in as much as there is a beach in the interior.  Tarrafal is next on the route.  Here there are two points of interest, the beautiful beach and the old political prison located 3km  away from the town center.

On the way back to Praia, the road passes by Pedra Badejo on the coast where the limpid blue of the lagoons and the rich green of the luxurious tropical vegetation blend together beautifully. LOCATION In the middle of leeward group of islands with surface area of 991 km2, São Tiago is the biggest island in the Archipelago.  In the north/south direction, its longest point is 55 km  and from east to west, 29 km.  Of volcanic origin, the highest point of its mountainous peaks is called "Pico de Antónia", with an altitude of 1392m.  The deep and beautiful valleys, the result of hundreds of years of erosion, after good agricultural conditions and the view of these regions from above is truly picturesque. There is agreat contrast between the vegetation and the mild and humid climate of the higher regions and that of some lower regions, which are very dry and arid.

Place to Visit CIDADADE DA PRAIA The City of Praia, originally called Praia de Santa Maria, was built on a basaltic platform overlooking the bay and this area is known as the  (Plateau).   A walk through this lovely town, stopping for a cup of coffee at one of the pleasant  esplanades or  just  relaxing in the gardens  is an excellent way to spend an afternoon.   It is also fascinating to visit the  local markets the real the real  commercial centers  of the  tropics and come in  contact  with the local habits and customs.  From Praia, one can also see the islet of Santa Maria  Prainha is the name given to the area right next to the sea.  The Hotel Praia Mar is here and its small beach is a popular and very interesting meeting place. Another delightful beach is Quebra Canela.

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