Cape Verde Islands Guide - Fogo
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Fogo is basicaly a large volcano
which is over 3,000m in height. The volcanic landscape can stgill be seen as it
was formed by previous eruptions. Fogo's landscape is very dry and arid in the south
but humid and fertile in the north.
The name Fogo means 'fire' and alludes to the volcano, which has one of the most
perfectly shaped cones in the world. The volcanic peak is not much more than 200
years old, and a second, much smaller peak was formed in 1995. Both peaks lie inside
the partly collapsed giant crater of an ancient volcano that forms the island itself.
The island's capital São Filipe is perhaps the country's most beautiful city, with
so-called sobrado houses from the colonial period, neatly kept squares with flowers
and a black sandy beach. To the east of the volcano, on the slope above Mosteiros
there is a densely forested area and plantations of coffee and fruits.
Getting There/Getting Around
By air: Internal flights are available
By sea: The island is also served by a ferry which runs subject
to cargo once a week between Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
Over land: There is limited car/bike hire is available otherwise
the main method of transport is via Alugar - lifts are arranged locally.
History
Fogo was discovered at the same time as Santiago and Maio, on 1 May 1460. At first
it was called Sao Filipe but later, was changed to Fogo (Fire).
Once discovered it was immediately occupied, in order to expand the agriculture
in Santiago. The two main agricultural products introduced were coffee and grapes.
The coffee was well known for its high quality and special aroma. The wine produced,
called Manecom, was also well known and at one time was exported to Brazil. Other
activities also developed at the same time, cloth weaving for example. As a result
of this development, villages grew in Sao Filipe, Aldeias da Igreja, Mosteiros and
Fajazinha.
The whalers were frequent visitors to the island during the 19th century and not
surprisingly many of the inhabitants that joined them ended up in America. These
emigrants returned later to the island much richer than when they left and the result
was a change in the social structure of the island. They bought out the most important
families at the time, who were forced to sell their possessions due to the effects
of terrible droughts.
Further Information - Getting
There
Region Information - Boavista
| Fogo
| Maio
| Sal
| Santa
Antao | Santiago
| Sao
Nicolau | Sao
Vicente