Located at the top of Sotovento group, south-east of the archipelago, the island Brava, with an elliptical configuration, a surface of 64 m2 and a maximum length of 9 km in the east-west. Is 20 Km from the island of Fogo and from there sight and four small uninhabited islands frequented by fishermen. Although small - infact is the smallest island with the exception of uninhabited Santa Luzia - stands out for its mountains whose highest point is Mount Fontainhas. High peaks contrast with deep and unexpected valleys. The coast is indented with various deteriorated bays: Furna, Ancião, Faja d'Água and Sorni. Fundo Grande, a crater that time has preserved, is a testimony of a volcanic past. Due to the findings, Brava is the most moist and green of all the islands and, for the abundance of flowers, is also known as "the isle of Flowers." The average temperature fluctuates between 16 ° and 25 ° C.
History
Discovered in 1462, its population would have been a little 'time after, more precisely in 1680 when, due to the eruption of Volcano of Pico, in the nearby island of Fogo, the inhabitants moved to Brava. At the end of the eighteenth century, the whalers of New Bedford and Rhode Island began using the island as a refueling point in the middle of the Atlantic. Little by little the inhabitants of Brava, who had the reputation of excellent sailors, began to supplement the crew of the whalers. But since living conditions in the whalers were very hard, the Cape Verde began to look for jobs on the mainland, more precisely in Massachusetts, thus the beginning of the migration to the United States of America where even today there is the largest capoverdian community abroad. It is not by chance that Brava is the island where english is most spoken and most of the products on the market comes from the United States. In addition to cash remittances that come from the land of Uncle Sam for the families who live in Brava, the island's economy relies on agriculture and fishing. Coffee, sugar cane, cassava, maize and potato are the main agricultural products, while the sea, rich in fish and shellfish (lobster, limpets,), employs hundreds of people. Brava is also known as the island of Nha Eugénio one of the major poetry and musician of Cape Verde. Writing in Portuguese and Creole, Eugénio Tavares is, without doubt, the undisputed master of the "Morna".
Ethnography
Like the other islands, festivals are held throughout the year and are celebrated with much enthusiasm. But the festivities called "Juninas" (held in June) those that attract the greatest attention.
JANUARY 6th 'of the island where the feast of the Magi is celebrated with greater rigor in all the villages. JUNE 13th Santo Antonio is the party that initiates Juninas holidays. June 24th St. John is the most famous holyday. Besides being the most 'traditional, the festival coincides with the feast of the patron saint of the island, St. John the Baptist and is a unique moment of encounter in which migrants come from all over the world, especially from the United States, and even visitors from closest islands. JUNE 29 The program of the festivities continue with the feast of St. Peter. AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER In several places there are traditional festivals such as "S. Paulo and S. Palinho".
Gastronomy
Fresh fish of various types can be 'tasted in the island. We recommend especially the seafood, excellent quality and the " xeren com capa." Typical dishes multiplies during the holidays.
Sports and Leisure
In terms of tourism, the island lends itself perfectly to excursions by car or healthy walk (urban and rural). The landscape is beautiful and offer awesome scenic views. It has also lots of isolated and relaxing places , without confusion and lack of human presence. BRAVA is the island of flowers: the tourists remain enchanted by the colorful mantle of various fragrances (Hibiscus, bougainvillea, Iacaranda, Jasmine, Lantana). It's a paradise for fishing lovers.
Visits and Tours
Who travels to the island of BRAVA, will visit, inevitably, NOVA SINTRA, a city of a rare beauty. Its name comes from its characteristics that remind us of the town of SINTRAin Portugal, its exceptional location (the city lies at the base of a circle of mountains, probably an ancient crater, which would have gone east side effect of erosion or an earthquake), the gracious provision of roads, the houses, gardens in bloom with a thousand shades of colors. Stands out among all the garden Eugênio Tavares, where you can 'appreciate a map carved in stone and a plaque dedicated to the famous poet. This is, without doubt, the most beautiful cities of Cabo Verde. Walk to SOURCE de vinagre On foot you will arrive at a charming place where, despite the lack of "precious liquid," the crops are, ingeniously, on terraces irrigated with water from the source, rich in fluoride and bicarbonate. Visitors will have the opportunity to see exotic birds from blue wings and red beak. Belvedere NOVA SINTRA Leaving NOVA SINTRA, the higher side, it continues in the direction of Nossa Senhora do MONTE. A 2 Km, turn left and you reach the lookout by sight which is a nice city, the crops on terraces and the sea. If there are no clouds, the landscape is extraordinary. Visit to Faja d'Agua and Sorni This is a very picturesque circuit. Along the path s' encounter different viewpoints. Faja D'AGUA is a small village situated in a privileged place: a bay sheltered from the winds of the north-east at the foot of the mountain. Here, once, anchoring the whalers. Repent, and a wonderful sandy beach, welcomes visitors. From the village there is a path that leads up the mountain, is a pleasant enough stroll during which you can admire the vegetation, houses and the mountain landscape. The airport is nearby. In return, you must move from Sorni. Before arriving in FIGUEIRA, continue to the left and descend to Sorni, located near a small bay and sheltered, extremely picturesque area between huge rocks. For a few hundred meters off the coast shows a peak that looks like a rocky volcanic spire. Along the slopes, the cultivation terraces to catch the eyes of a visitor. FURNO From NOVA SINTRA descend until FURNO through a very steep road. It 'a small fishing port, situated in a bay than a hundred meters in diameter. Worthy of note is the church which is evident from the coast and overlooking the sea. Nossa Senhora do MONTE This walk can be done by car while walking is more pleasant. NOSSA Senhora do Monte is a typical village surrounded by mountains. The houses, equipped with tanks, allow you to conserve water all year round. The view is splendid. Continuing Cachaça BIG MATO and you can relax watching the view.
Brava
