Baía das Gatas

Baía das Gatas is the name of a natural bay in the northeast of São Vicente Island in Cape Verde. It is located 10 km east of the city of Mindelo, the island's capital. Baía das Gatas is linked with a road that passes through the mountains with Mindelo to the west. There is yet no road to Calhau. Much of the area are grasslands, rocky terrain or deforested; a few plantations of acacias are around the area. East of Baía das Gatas features the beach of "Praia Grande".

Name

Baía das Gatas is Portuguese for the Bay of the Gatas. Gatas is the name São Vicente residents give to a species of shark that lives in the relatively shallow waters of São Vicente. These harmless sharks grow to be no longer than 5 feet and are sandy colored.

Music Festival

Since 1983, the 'Festival de Música da Baía das Gatas happens every year in the first weekend of the month of August. The crowds gather in the beach of Baía das Gatas and features local and international music. The festival also contains various cultural programs.A big article (in french) about the festival, since 1983 to 2007: [http://www.mindelo.info/gal_baia.php here]

Nearest communities and geographical features

*Salamansa, northwest
*Monte Verde, southwest
*Madeiral, south
*Praia do Norte, west

Photos

[http://mindelo.info/gal_baia_das_gatas.php Baia das Gatas on www.mindelo.info]