When you picture your perfect holiday getaway, do you picture tall palm trees, beautiful sandy beaches with bright blue waters? Do you ever think of how the cool breeze will dance on your skin when you enjoy the cool sights of the night?
These and many more are among a few ways to describe the beauty of Cabo Verde. In our country, there are several Islands; Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista, and the likes. We have picturesque hills that serve as great hiking & exercise spots.
Our aim today is to share with you five exciting facts that you may not have known about Cabo Verde.
● Sugar Cane Liquor
This drink is produced by local Island farmers in Cabo Verde and is very popular among the men. It is locally called “Grog” or “Grogue” and has been recognized as the national liquor of our country.
Made from distilled sugar cane, Grog can either be white or brown in color but this does not affect its goodness. It has similar features with rum. The white colored Grog is not as smooth and ripe as the brown colored one often used as a base for some cocktails.
● Cabo Verde has one of the most stable governments in Africa.
Civil and political unrests are a thing of the past in modern-day Cabo Verde. The system of government in place is a truly democratic one making the country one of the most stable countries in Africa.
Our President holds office for a five-year term. The system of government in place helps to ensure that the people can elect leaders who they can hold strictly accountable.
● Cabo Verde was a joint country with Guinea-Bissau until 1980
Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau- a neighboring African country used to operate as one country until both countries began to struggle for their independence spearheaded by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) against Portugal in 1961. By 1973, Portuguese Guinea declared independence and was granted in 1974. Cape Verdeans also gained their independence in 1975 and both remained a single country until 1980 when they parted ways after there was a coup in Guinea-Bissau which strained the relationship between the two countries. This then led to the formation of the African Party for the independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV)
● Agriculture is not a prominent driving force in our country
Approximately 10-11% of Cabo Verde’s land is fertile enough for Agriculture. Our country largely depends on imported foods such as beverages, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The reason for this is the igneous/volcanic origin of our soil making it rocky, shallow and coarse.
● Cabo Verde is home to the long-eared bat
Ever heard of the grey long-eared bat? It is a mammal and the only native animal to Cabo Verde. Its scientific name is Plecotus Austriacus. We also have the brown long-eared bat; however, the grey long-eared bat was differentiated from it in 1960 by scientists because of the shade of its belly. Nearly 20% of all the mammals in Cabo Verde are the grey long-eared bats.
There’s so much to see and do when you visit our country, you can explore every nook and cranny of Cabo Verde when you volunteer in our country through AIESEC.
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