It's an island divided into two with regard to the climate. Arid in the south and cultivated with sugar cane in the north, cassava, banana, fruits in general, mango and papaya. The population is hospitable and seem to have remained much attached to the traditions of the past. Today the island is much visited by trekking lovers and offers a lot of walking. During the walks you can find under a hot burning sun up to a fog quite cold. The floral part of the island is the north-east where rainfall and humidity have turned into a garden of tropical plants and suitable for farming in general. The volcanic traces are still evident in the crater of Cova and in the mineral waters and hot springs. Agriculture is the main resource of the island and the land in many places is very fertile.
In the small village of Coculi between the sugar cane plantations there are small workshops where the product is a typical liqueur called Grogue, which is considered the best in the whole Cabo Verde.
Directions:
To reach the island, take a ferry leaving from Mindelo every day twice. The journey takes just over 40 minutes and makes a stop in the city of Porto Novo, a very small town with only one hotel. If you suffer of seasick be prepared.
What to see:
Porto Novo: Visit the small beach town and accompanied the fishermen bringing ashore the nets full of tuna. A few meters away, you will find women sell fish. If you walk east for about 25 minutes you will arrive at the beach in Escurralete. With the new road is five minutes by car. Church of Our Lady of the Rosary: It's situated in the center of Ribeira Grande. Typical colonial architecture of the nineteenth century. Casa Roberto Duarte Silva: It's one of two oldest buildings of Povoação (Ribeira Grande) and it is here that was born and lived the scientist. Faro de Boi: Opened in 1886 to signal the channel of S. Vicente, this lighthouse is one of the oldest and largest of the archipelago. It is located Pontinha de Janela. Statue of Santo Antonio: Located near Vila das Pombas, in a room that offers a panoramic view of 180 degrees on the valley of Paul and the ocean. Proceed towards EITO and Grande Roche, will be surprised by the high walls of vegetation. At the top there is Passagem, with its civic park between almond hidden. and bougainvillea. Igreja de Chã: incantevole Place, built on a promontory with the church and parish house painted white. Planalto Leste: forest area, a candidate to join the World Heritage of UNESCO.
Santo Antão Features:
Area: 779 sq km
Coastline: 136 km
Maximum altitude: 1979 m (Tope de Coroa)
Population: about 47,000 inhabitants. Useful numbers:
Santo Antao
