Sal, Cape Verde

Geobox|Island
name = Sal
country = Cape Verde
country_



highest_location = Monte Vermelho
highest_elevation = 406
coordinates_type = isle
lat_d = 16 |lat_m = 43 |lat_NS = N
long_d = 22 |long_m = 56 |long_EW = W
area = 216
length = 30
length_orientation = north to south
width = 12
width_orientation = east to west

Sal (Portuguese for “salt” — from the mines at Pedra de Lume) is an island in Cape Verde. It belongs to the northern group of islands, called Barlavento. The island is composed by a single administrative division, the Sal municipality.

Geography

The island is 30 km long by 12 km wide. It is one of the three sandy eastern islands (Sal, Boa Vista and Maio) of the archipelago, with white sandy beaches and fairly flat. The highest elevation of 406 m at Monte Grande. Serra Negra has a height of 92 m.

Climate

Sal Island has 350 days of sunshine. Winds mainly blow from the northeast. However, many days do also have cloud, but it tends to be broken and seldom brings rain. The 'rainy season' is from August to mid-October, although rainfall is still low.

History

The island was discovered on December 3, 1460 and named Llana until salt deposits were found. Sal is the geologically oldest island in Cape Verde, formed 50 million years ago during the eruption of a volcano which is now inactive.

External links

* [http://www.caboverde.com/ilhas/sal/guide-e.htm Information on Sal]
* [http://www.umassd.edu/specialprograms/caboverde/sal.html Ilha Do Sal, Cape Verde Islands]
* [http://www.mountain7.co.uk/index.php?/archives/80-The-Cape-Verde-Salt-Flats,-Sal.html The Salt flats at Pedra de Lume]