The Sal Island (Ilha do Sal) or simply Sal is an island of Cape Verde part, according to the division of the trade winds, the islands of barlavento.
Among the islands of the archipelago is the closest to the African continent and being influenced by the same climatic conditions of the regions that are at that latitude is very dry with heavy erosion that despite its volcanic origin has made it completely flat.
Its total area is 216 square kilometers, has an elongated shape with an extension from north to south about 30 km from east to west for about 12 km.
It has only one mountain, Mount Vermelho up just over 400 m.
Sal is the main port of entry into the country as the home of the international airport Amilcar Cabral.
History
It was discovered in 1460 and was given the name of Ilha Plana (Flat Island) thanks to the landscape devoid of mountains and so to speak a little 'moon.
Totally deserted was used, initially, mainly as pasture for sheep belonging to residents of Boavista.
But later figs was a strong colonizzaione and this was due to the discovery of a lagoon in the crater of an extinct volcano and after the rainy season was filled with salt.
This made the island one of the major exporters of salt until the middle of this century, starting as a thriving economic activity linked to the salt flats and transforming its name from Ilha Plana in Ilha do Sal which means Island of Sal.
In 1939 it stands on Italian initiative the need to open a port on the island leading to the construction of the international airport that also determined an internal migration to Sal stemming primarily from S. Nicolau.
This has meant that over the last 20 years Sal has developed even on the tourist offering travelers numerous complex equipped that have helped raise awareness of Sal in the world and as a region of ancient salt mines as well as land where you can relax on beautiful beaches and enjoy the view of the ocean.
Tourism Sal
The island has become, especially in recent years, the main tourist hub of the archipelago.
The sea is the main attraction as well as having beautiful beaches on which it breaks, thanks to the constant wind did revalue Sal especially from a sporting perspective. And 'in fact considered one of the best places in the world for water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Do not forget though other activities that you can do in the island such as fishing, bike rides, tours by jeep or quad that guarantee a relaxing and fun under the slogan "official" of the country which is: "Head Green NO STRESS ".
On the island there are also several places where you can taste typical Cape Verdeans all accompanied by the mellow notes of the typical music of the archipelago.
The presence of many bars after dinner where you can listen and dance with sensual movements of Sal makes a great destination for fun.
Locality
The four towns that make up the island are, Espargos, Santa Maria, Pedra Lume and Palmeira. Besides these you can visit other places and features worthy of note such esemprio Buracona.
