São Nicolau is an island in Cabo Verde with an economy based on agriculture, fishing, and tourism, featuring the main town of Vila Ribeira Brava. Maio, known for its dry climate and beautiful beaches, has shifted its economy towards tourism and cement exploration. Brava, the smallest inhabited island, is characterized by its mountainous terrain, lush vegetation, and rich maritime history, serving as the birthplace of renowned poet Eugénio Tavares.

1. S. Nicolau, Brava e Maio Fotos: from the internet Music: “Tunga, Tunguinha”, traditional Research, editing and production: Zeca Pereira

4. S. Nicolau São Nicolau is located between the islands of Santa Luzia and Sal. The population is about 12,864 spread over a surface area of 388 km². The economy consists mainly of agriculture as well as fishing and tourism. Most of the population comes from the country areas.

5. S. Nicolau The main town of S. Nicolau is Vila Ribeira Brava. Village of Preguiça Town of Praia Branca Vila Ribeira Brava, the capital city Praça (garden square) ‘Monsenhor Bouças’ Our Lady of Rosary church

6. S. Nicolau Following on the footstep of the other islands the morphology of S. Nicolau is very mountainous Location of Água das Patas Fragata Passagem Ribeira Funda Ribeira Prata Fajã

7. S. Nicolau Baltazar Lopes da Silva is the reference of the Capeverdean literature. Born in Caleijão, S. Nicolau, he made his studies in the local catholic seminary and then moved to S. Vicente and later to Portugal to further his studies. A lawyer, writer, teacher and a great lover of his motherland, his only book ‘Chiquinho’ was translated into many languages. His work is widely spread mainly through magazines. He was one of the founders of the literary movement “Claridade” by many considered as the foundation of the Capeverdean nationalism. The seminary in Caleijão where Baltazar Lopes da Silva made his preliminary studies

8. Maio Maio has a surface area of 268 km2. The island is mostly flat.The valleys are arid and dry and the climate is also very dry. Irrigated land is very scarce. There are however many and very beautiful beaches of fine golden sand. The name Maio (May) comes from the fact that the island was found by the Portuguese navigators on the 1st of May 1460. Also the main town was known by Porto Inglês (English Port) which came from the fact that many British ships used to call the port to load salt. The economy was basically confined to the breeding of goats and the extraction of salt. Currently expectations rest on tourism and the exploration of cement. This is my island where I was born.

9. Maio

10. Ilha da Brava The island known for its flowers, beautiful women, Eugénio Tavares and the most delicate and famous handicraft.

11. Brava With just 65 sq.km the island of Brava is the smallest inhabited island of Cabo Verde. It’s very mountainous with deep and abrupt valleys. The coastline is rugged, forming many bays. Brava is the wetest and the greenest of all the islands and due the abundance of flowers it is known as the island of flowers. Its capital town, Vila Nova Sintra, is situated on the highlands of the island. It is also the birth place of one of the greatest Capeverdian poets and song writers: Eugenio Tavares. The mean temperature is between 16 and 26ºC Due to its pleasant weather Brava was also known as the resting resort for the sick not only from the archipelago but also from the whole coast of Guinea and Gâmbia. An authentic refuge for the Europeans living in the neighbouring coast of Africa .

12. Brava

13. Brava Brava is also known as the craddle of the first and perhaps the most famous sailors of Cabo Verde. Names such as John Manta, João J. Azevedo, Francisco Senna, among many others are reknown names of experienced sailors who have honoured the name of Cabo Verde throughout the world. Brava is also known for its ship building of wooden vessels for voyages not only within the country but also to the Americas and Africa. The establishment on the island of the ‘Escola Principal’ of Cabo Verde in 1847, was the breeding ground for great things to come. Well known sailing vessels like "Senador Vera Cruz", "Marlene", "Nova Sintra", "Santa Clara“, “Carvalho” were all built in Brava. Captain João J. Azevedo aboard the ‘Madalan’ First ship captains from Brava (licensed in Brazil and Portugal) Captain Alberto Senna aboard the ‘John Manta’ Capt. Francisco Senna American whaleships anchored at the Brava port of Furna for supplies and recruiting sailors

14. Brava

15. Eugenio Tavares, the great interpreter of the amazing Capeverdian talent. A poet, writer, composer, jornalist 1867 - 1930 Bust to Eugénio Tavares

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