History

Portuguese explorers discovered the islands around 1460 and two years later began settling there.

Due to its strategic location just off the African coast with next stop Brazil, Cape Verde became a transhipment centre for slave trade. When slave trade was abolished in 1876, its importance dwindled, although it was replaced by altogether more approvable cargo as the British developed Sao Vicente's natural deep water port, Porto Grande, as a major coal deposit centre to supply ships on transatlantic routes. A submarine cable station was also developed at Mindelo, capital of Sao Vicente in the late 19th century and still attracted many ships until World War I. Trade increased again toward the middle of the 20th century.

In an attempt to abate the growing spirit of nationalism, Portugal in 1951 designated its African colonies, including Cape Verde, as overseas provinces. The provincial status gave Cape Verdeans access to higher education but lack of job opportunities and poverty in the islands forced many of the educated to take administrative jobs on the African mainland. There, they began to participate in growing nationalist movements. The Portuguese revolution in 1974 prompted mass mobilizations in Cape Verde, forcing the new Portuguese Government into negotiations with the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde). The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) was later formed and talks with the Portuguese culminated in independence for Cape Verde on July 5, 1975, ending five centuries of Portuguese rule. July 5th, Independence Day, remains a National Holiday on Cape Verde and is celebrated with a colour and pageantry typical of these islands.

A one-party system ruled Cape Verde from independence until 1990 when it had its first free presidential election. Since then, the economy has grown across all islands, with the Government adopting and pursuing market-oriented economic policies, including an open welcome to foreign investors, as well as a comprehensive privatization program.

The country's Diaspora, who are scattered through the United States, Europe, South America and Africa, have not forgotten their homeland and generate around 20% of the country's GDP through remittances to Cape Verde.

Those who come to Cape Verde will not forget either; will not forget the unique beauty of the islands, the tropical weather, the extraordinary hospitality and the engaging invitation to experience it all.