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Santo Antão Island, orographic, climatic and cultural characteristics

Santo Antao Island Information

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«Better than Mountains, just Mountains!»

Santo Antao is an Island full of mountains, valleys and colors. A perfect harmony that left anyone that visit it marked with its beauty and majestiousity. Long and sinuous ways between mountains of varied colors, available and challengeable, there is always something impressive and fascinating for the ones that like adventures in nature. An island naturally and spiritually to relax on. People with simplicity, humility, generous, easy to treat with and always available for a good welcome and cultural and human integration with everyone who visits them. Visitors always bring with them the memories, the registries and emotions of unforgettable places but, above all, with aprofound meaning and a desire to return.

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Essentials you need to know to Explore Santo Antao Island 

Before planning a vacation trip, it is important for travellers to obtain information about the place they want to visit. In the case of Santo Antão island, there is often an interest in knowing the unique geographical, climatic and cultural characteristics that make the island attractive for nature tourism (nature observation, hiking, swimming, diving, etc.). Here is some useful information you will need for your trip to the island.

ESSENTIALS

orography map of santo antão island

Geography and Geology of the island

The Island of Santo Antao is from volcanic origins and with an area of 779 km2 being the most mountainous island of the Cape Verde archipelago. The most elevate point on the island is called Top de Coroa  with 1979 meters of altitude and integrate the central line from east to west of the island always with altitudes superiors of 1000 metres. As the whole archipelago the island is under influences of Sahara and of a regime of alisios wind that forms places with micro-climate in the mountains e change the climate from accentuated aridity until a strong amenity climate with temperatures of 10 degrees in the mountains in the colder months (January and February). The weak potentials of natural resources, especially in south sub-region is explained with the lack of water and the poor lands.
- Santo Antao is one of the nine inhabited islands of Cape Verde, located in the Barlavento group: Elevation: 1,979 m | Area: 779 km² | Long: 40 km | Wide: 20 km | Population: 43834 (2010).

Climatic characteristics of Santo Antao Island

Climate / Weather

This orography and the northern position of the island greatly influence its climate: the northern and north-eastern regions are relatively humid with annual precipitations and can reach up to 700 mm, while in the south and southeast regions a semi-arid climate with more than 9 months of drought per year. As a consequence of these radical geo-climatic conditions, the island presents a great diversity of landscapes, ranging from deep and verdant valleys to lunar landscapes.

Hikers and nature lovers on Santo Antao island

The landscaping diversity is undoubtedly a tourist offer for those who wish to escape from the common place. The Ribeiras are a key piece in the quality of the landscape, in whose contemplation there is an important interference of the roads that cut the mountains and the valleys. This allows having, for observation, the enchantment of exceptional views...learn more

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The island does not have an airport. To make the trip, you must go to Cesaria Évora Airport on the neighboring island, São Vicente. Direct flights are possible from Amsterdam (TAP, TACV, TUI), Paris (TRANSAVIA, TAP, TACV) and Lisbon (TAP). You can also travel from any part of the World to Sao Vicente via Lisbon through TAP Portugal.  From Sao Vicente take the ferry to Porto Novo port terminal in Santo Antao Island...learn more    

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Economy

The economy characteristics of Santo Antao are typically of the island Small market, few diversity of economy structures, lack of private entrepreneurial capacity and insufficient distribution and commercialization chains of local produced goods and services are the most visible constrains. The agricultural sector, directed primarily at regional and national consumption, is Santo Antão's main economic sector and income source. There is now a growing increase in tourism given the island's exceptional conditions for adventure travel especially for walking holidays. The active work force is around 16.330 people. The females are predominant in the sectors of commerce, hotels, and restaurants and in the productive services. The GDP is around 495 US Dollar percapita.

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day trip to tourist attractions in santo antao island
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