Calhau

Calhau (Portuguese for small beach rock or pebble) is a small fishing village on the east coast of the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, 15 km east of the island capital of Mindelo. Calhau is situated on a branch that connects with the main road linking to Mindelo and south to Topim. Much of the area are grassy and rocky with a couple of trees especially within the roads. The GDP for the community is very low.

The area has nice sandy beaches for baths in the sea, a small fishing port and a bay with the same name. During clear days, the island of Santa Luzia can also be seen.

4 km south of Calhau is the extinct volcanic crater named Viana.

Atmospheric observatory

1 km further East of the beach at Praia Grande lies a large international atmospheric and climate observatory (OBSERVATÓRIO ATMOSFÉRICO DE CABO VERDE: HUMBERTO DUARTE FONSECA), composed of containers and scaffolding meteorology masts. The observatory was built in 2006 and is operated by INMG, the national meteorological service. Scientists from Germany and the United Kingdom operate instruments here.

See for more details: http://www.york.ac.uk/capeverde.

The observatory was recently in the news following the discovery of unexpected low level ozone loss over the oceans in this region. http://www.ncas.ac.uk/communications/images_for_nature_paper_destruction_of_ozone.html

Nearest communities and geographical features

*Topim, south
*Madeiral, west
*Monte Verde, northwest

Other

Calhau has only a school, a beach and a few squares "praças". The nearest secondary school is in east Mindelo. Prior to the 1990s, Calhau was left without a school and other needs.

External links

[http://www.mindelo.info/gal_calhau.php Photos on www.mindelo.info]