Cape Verde: 10 Islands, Two Groups

Cape Verde comprises 10 volcanic islands (9 inhabited) divided by the prevailing NE trade winds:

Barlavento (Windward) – North

• Santo Antão (mountains, hiking, agriculture)
• São Vicente (Mindelo—cultural capital, port, Carnival)
• Santa Luzia (uninhabited, nature reserve)
• São Nicolau (valleys, dragon trees)
• Sal (flat, sunny, tourism hub, Amílcar Cabral Intl Airport)
• Boa Vista (dunes, beaches, turtle nesting, tourism)

Sotavento (Leeward) – South

• Maio (flat, salt flats, quiet beaches)
• Santiago (largest, capital Praia, history, agriculture)
• Fogo (active volcano Pico do Fogo 2,829m, coffee, wine)
• Brava (smallest, "Island of Flowers," steep, no airport)

Total land: 4,033 km². Population: ~590,000 (2023).