The Fogo Island

Fogo looks like one of the most emblematic islands in the Cape Verde archipelago. Situated to the west of the island of Santiago, it has a round shape and covers an area of 476 km2. It is the fourth biggest island in size and reaches the height of 2,829 metres at the top of the volcano.
The volcano is the island’s ex-libris and its main tourist attraction. At present, the volcanic cone rises from the centre of an area of 8 km2 – Chã das Caldeiras – with high walls on the western side that can reach 1000 metres in height and coming to an end at a crater of 500 metres in diameter and 180 metres in depth.

History

Fogo Island – The Island Fogo was discovered on 1^st of May in 1460, having originally been given the name of S. Filipe. Only later was it identified by its current name, and the earlier name became associated with its capital.

Its occupation was immediate because of the need to increase the agricultural scope of the islands of Santiago. Of the cultivated species brought to the island the following deserve a special mention: the coffee for its quality and aroma; the type of grapevines that allow the production of the famous Fogo wine, Manecon which has been exported to Brazil.
The villages of S. Filipe, Aldeias da Igreja, Mosteiros and Fajazinha were born out of the agro-industrial activity.

Typical Food

Fogo is rich in terms of typical dishes, their refined preparation in accordance with tradition, such as Xerem, Djagacida, Feijão Congo, etc. always accompanied by the tasty wine and the aromatic coffee from the island.

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