Ilha do Sal - Ilha do Sal

Sal is an island of the archipelago of Cape Verde. The name in Portuguese it means salt and it originates from the fact that on the island there was a flourishing activity of production and trade of sea salt.

To know

Together with Boa Vista, Sal is the main destination of European tourism and especially of the Italian one.

The growing tourist demand, the strengthening of the island's international airport, the constant and pleasant climate throughout the year and above all the distance from possible terrorist aims have started, after 2001, the engine of tourism development. In a few years, often in a few months, villages of embarrassing size have sprung up. Tourist structures that recreate an "Italian micro-climate" in all respects. So that the espresso coffee is of the best brands, the pasta as well, the olive oil strictly Apulian or Tuscan, and for the digestive you can choose between Amalfi Limoncello or Sardinian Mirto. And in the evening, if you do not want to attend the nightlife of the island, you can abandon yourself to the industrious animation of the village that will lull its guests to the sound of mazurkas or quadrilles. Not so unknown then, it is the custom in some villages to keep an hour different from the one actually in force.The island has a total extension of 216 km², and has a practically flat elevation profile, except for some small hills in the north, remains of ancient volcanoes, stretching for 30 km in its aridity in a cobalt blue sea with spectacular tones.

The island is 30 km long and 12 km wide. It belongs to the northern group of the Windward Islands and is one of the three eastern sandy islands (Sal, Boa Vista is But I) of the archipelago, with the beautiful white and flat sandy beaches. The highest point is the Monte Grande (406 m). Sal is the oldest island of Cape Verde, formed 50 million years ago during the eruption of a volcano that is now inactive.

The main town of Sal is Espargos, where Amilcar Cabral International Airport is also located. Its airport was born mainly to provide a base of support and supply for transatlantic routes. It also became a very important base of support for South African Airlines. Subsequently, flights from New York and Atlanta began to use the airport as well as for refueling as a base for the crews. South African Airlines also obtained the runway lengthening needed to get their Boeing 707s off the ground. On July 1, 2006, South African Airlines, leaving the Sal airport for good, operated its last direct flight to Atlanta. A curious note of the airport is that it is configured as an emergency stop for the Space Shuttle. In 2004, passenger traffic was 1,007,561 (21.4% compared to 2003)

Its population initially grew thanks to the salt harvest; only later did he shift his attention to fishing. Now, the biggest income comes from the tourism sector (50% of the archipelago's tourism is concentrated in Sal) thanks to the lure of its main beach, that of Santa Maria. In fact, in the last decade Sal has experienced an exponential growth in the tourism sector that is unmatched compared to the other islands. The island is currently an open-air construction site and those who have had the good fortune to visit it before the year 2000 are shocked when they decide to return. The most scenic locations are overshadowed by multi-storey sea-view residences and the small and characteristic village of Santa Maria, for example, remains a distant memory.. This perspective, for those who had visited it, is very reminiscent of the fate of the Canary Islands or the wild overbuilding of Sharm el Sheikh. And in fact, for those who decide to stay there, the comparison arises almost spontaneously.

Geographical notes

The highest peak is Mount Vermelho with about 400 m.

When to go

The climate is tropical dry. The average annual temperature fluctuates around 25 ° C. The hottest months remain the summer ones with an average temperature of 28 ° C, while in the winter the average is thirsty at 24 ° C. The difference between winter and summer is given solely by the temperature range between day and night. In summer, the thermometer drops to 23 ° C at night, and even to 21 ° C in winter. In the ocean the temperature fluctuates between 21 ° C (February and March) and 25 ° C (July, August, September). The wind has no seasonality. In practice, there is no windier and no windier season. The trade winds, which always and constantly blow from the north-east, sometimes in winter, passing further south, come directly from the east and, passing over the Sahara, are charged with hot air and dust.

For the choice of the period in which to make the trip, the climate is, in practice, irrelevant. Being in the tropical north belt, the entire archipelago of Cape Verde, has, in theory, a dry season (October to May) and a rainy season (June to September). Only in theory, however, since in Cape Verde one of the heaviest problems is the absence of rainfall. On Sal, being a desert island, the problem of precipitation is even more present. Having no noteworthy mountain ranges, cloud systems are not easily able to create the ideal conditions for the rains to fall.

In Sal, as in the other islands, a very strong wind often blows. Going to the beach to take a sunbath or a dip in the ocean, on days when this is very strong, is often an undertaking with apocalyptic implications. The wind will not allow you to sit the towel in a decent way and the sand will slip into any hole, not giving you a moment of respite. Some tourists try, with worthy commitment, to build shelters with deckchairs and mats but in almost all cases the result is almost useless. In this way, races start to grab the most sheltered places inside the resort and, more often than you think, it is very easy to see tourists at 6 in the morning laying towels - indicating an implicit "reserved" - on the deck chairs better sheltered from the wind thus unleashing the wrath of fellow travelers who had been dozing off until ten in the morning.

Background

Discovered in 1640, it originally had the name of Llana or Plana the name Sal takes over after the discovery of a lagoon in the crater of an extinct volcano known today as Pedra do Lume, which after the rainy period was covered with salt. pasture for the flocks belonging to the residents of the nearby area Boa Vista; only with the exploitation of salt did a significant economic activity begin, becoming an exporter of that product until the middle of this century. Due to the need to establish a port of call for flights to South America, it arose on an Italian initiative in 1939. international airport whose development determined internal migration, especially from San Nicolau to this island; this has made possible the exploitation of modern tourist complexes which in the last 20 years have settled in Santa Maria, a region of ancient salt pans and which offers as its main attraction the extensive and wonderful beaches and the sea, excellent for all water sports.

Spoken languages

The official language is the Portuguese. Creole (a mixture of Portuguese and African words) is widespread. On the island of Sal, the inhabitants often manage to understand and speak Italian. Only in the most remote areas is it difficult to find a linguistic agreement but in any case it is always possible to recover some places that, perhaps in exchange for a couple of cigarettes, will act as a translator.

Territories and tourist destinations

Urban centers

Other destinations

How to get

By plane

All international flights of European origin land at Amilcar Cabral international airport located on the island of Sal, 200 km northeast of the capital Praia, near the capital Espargos. The archipelago is located about 6 hours by flight fromItaly.

The Cape Verdean national airline TACV^{[link not working]} provides for departure from major European airports on flights operated with its own fleet (2 Boeing 757-200s) and from major non-European airports through code-sharing flights. From Italy it no longer grants direct booking, thus relying on tourist intermediation. Also from Italy regular flights, and bookable online, are operated by NEOS. Another opportunity to fly to Cape Verde is offered by the Portuguese national airline TAP. The flight usually always includes a stopover in Lisbon.

Cape Verde is also served by airlines Air Senegal^{[link not working]} (departure from Dakar), from Angola Airlines (from Luanda) Condor (departure from Germany), from United Airlines (with European stopover).

On boat

It is also possible to reach Sal by sea landing by plane on the island of Santiago in the international airport of Praia to then embark on one of the ferries that connect the two islands weekly.

How to get around

Being the flat island it is also advisable to rent a bike and visit it without much effort. The only effort will be that you will have to pedal on roads made of porphyry cubes, neither flat nor regular. On foot, in the inhabited areas, one moves comfortably; outside of them it is advisable to wear a good pair of shoes and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

By taxi

The "aluguer" are few on the island and often one has to rely on taxis that shuttle from resort to resort.

By car

Renting a car is not recommended as the island does not offer much from a landscape and naturalistic point of view. At the most, for the more adventurous, it always remains the classic and timeless "motorized in the desert" with quads. Sunglasses and a scarf around the neck are a must.

What see

The island, in itself, does not offer many attractions other than the long and wonderful beaches. The countries you will visit are all made up of modest homes light years away from Vegas-like opulence and illumination. The island's handicraft is practically non-existent. You will be offered by the various street vendors statuettes of ebony or teak wood (which are all of Senegalese origin), necklaces made of beads and sand (also of Senegalese origin), shark teeth and squares of colored sand.

You will be offered the classic "tour of the island" with a 30 Euro easily accessible in less than a day. We will start from Santa Maria, go up towards Murdeira Bay (which is also a protected marine park) trying to see the sea among the various residences under construction, then stop in Espargos (the capital) and the characteristic port of Palmeira. From here we will go up to observe the natural pools of Buracona and then cross the desert plain of Terra Boa. Here, the minibus will stop to show you, if the day permits, the effects of the mirages. You will then see the classic expanse of water as long as there is a beautiful blue sky. From here, the last stop, a visit to the ancient salt pans of Pedra de Lume where you will be allowed to immerse yourself to experience the natural buoyancy of your body. Finally, the return to the resort.

Events and parties

What to do

The island is the main destination for surfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts. The beach of Santa Maria is certainly the Mecca of the faithful of the sailboard and the kite. The beach, devoid of rock formations and coral reefs, allows you to exercise and practice these sports in complete safety. The best winds blow from November until June. Although the best beaches for the practice of these sports are located in other islands (Baia des Gatas in Sao Vincente, for example) it should be considered that Sal offers a direct landing thanks to its international airport and certainly incomparable receptivity compared to the other islands of the archipelago. From these premises the flourishing of numerous surf / kite centers that allow you to learn or improve this sporting passion.

Indicatively, for the year 2007, the rental prices and windsurfing and kitesurfing courses are as follows:

• Board and sail rental: 1 day approx € 40.00, one week approx € 170.00
• Basic windsurfing course (3 hours) with equipment: € 90.00 approx.
• Beginner windsurfing course (5 hours) with equipment: € 150.00 approx.
• Intermediate windsurfing course (3 hours) with equipment: € 90.00 approx.
• Advanced windsurfing course (4 hours) with equipment: € 120.00 approx.
• Complete windsurfing course (10 hours) with equipment: € 280.00 approx.

• Board and kite rental: 1 day approx € 70.00, one week approx € 200.00
• Basic kitesurfing course (3 hours) with equipment: € 90.00 approx.
• Intermediate kitesurf course (6 hours) with equipment: € 170.00 approx.
• Advanced intermediate kitesurf course (8 hours) with equipment: € 230.00 approx.
• Complete kitesurf course (10 hours) with equipment: € 250.00 approx.

Shopping

How to have fun

Where to eat

Where stay

Safety

The crime rate is relatively low. The number for emergencies is 132. As regards internal air transfers, there is currently only one incident that occurred on 7 August 1999 on the island of Sant Antao of a Dornier DO-228 of the Cape Verde Coast Guard . This is a sign that traveling between the islands by plane is more than safe.

In February 2007, two Italian girls were brutally slaughtered, the twenty-eight year old Giorgia Busato, from Verona, and the twenty-seven year old from Ravenna Dalia Spiani who had gone to the island of Sal to participate in an international windsurfing championship. A third girl of just 17 years miraculously escaped the massacre, later providing a chilling account of the modalities of the double murder. However, the investigations ascertained that the crime was not related to the crime of Cape Verde but had been perpetrated for personal or passionate reasons. However, the latest local news regarding this fact leads back to issues related to drug trafficking. According to investigations by the Cape Verdean police, there are very strong indications of an involvement, whether or not it will be the judiciary to shed light, by the two girls in such trafficking.

Although the crime rate is very low, it must be considered that the drug market is experiencing very fertile ground throughout the archipelago. This is mainly due to the tourist flow that, under the umbrella or on the terrace of the hotel, loves to indulge in aromatic smokes of marijuana or sniffs of cocaine. Port and airport controls are mild and drugs enter very easily. The uninhabited island of Santa Luzia has become a first-class stopover for crack and cocaine landings. While there are thriving marijuana plantations in the more remote valleys of Sant'Antao. It may happen, more often than you think, to see places in an evident confusion given by the use of crack that will ask you for money to eat but which in reality will be used for something else. Crack is currently the most common drug in the entire archipelago.

Another sore point is that of prostitution. More and more often it happens to see European tourists (alas, many Italians) accompanied by young people who are often not yet of age. The phenomenon becomes visible to everyone in the islands of Sao Vincente and Santiago and, at nightfall, it is a flourishing of young girls tenderly embraced by newly retired or young boys curious to experience the African flavor at a low price.

It is always advisable not to give any money to children or anyone who asks you for it. Children who insist on having little change in Sal or on the other islands usually prefer not to go to school and adults who ask you for a few Euros will do so to get, contrary to what they will tell you, a dose of cocaine or crack. Offer him a sandwich or a drink, assuming it will suit him, just that. If you really want to offer money, rely on those who know how to use it in the best way without going to feed the delinquent world. Always be firm in denying an economic request, the hesitation will only bind you for several minutes the beggar who, often and willingly, will start following you with a very long and interminable request for money until you have to surrender due to exhaustion.

Finally, attention should be paid to the widespread stray dogs present in the islands. Cats, but especially dogs, in poor health are present almost everywhere. It is a good idea not to give them food (a practice dear to tourists but strongly discouraged by the local government) and to move away when you witness a territorial brawl. Dogs and cats are everywhere and almost become part of the natural landscape of the archipelago. It is not uncommon, especially in large cities, to find them wandering around the aisles of hospitals or in some supermarket.

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