Brava, Cape Verde Islands

Masto Santa Ana in the village of Nossa Senhora do Monte - photo by Ray Almeida

Brava, the smallest of the populated Cape Verde islands, lies at the southwestern end of the archipelagic crescent. It has an extremely varied terrain with high peaks contrasting with deep valleys. The coastline is deeply indented and has formed a number of bays, most notably Furna, Ancião, Fajã d'Agua and Sorno. The small, uninhabited islands of Ilheus Secos do Rombo lie just off the northeast coast and Fogo rises magnificently 10 miles to the east. Brava possesses a relatively temperate climate with temperatures between 16 and 25 deg °C. It is more humid and much greener than the other islands and is called "the Island of Flowers." When not plagued by the long periods of drought which have tormented the Cape Verdes, lobelia, hibiscus, bougainvillae and jasmine can be found in profusion and a wide variety of crops is farmed throughout the island. In addition to agriculture, fishing is a mainstay of the island economy.

History and Culture 1460s Brava discovered 1680 A major volcanic eruption forces a number of families living on Fogo to move to Brava. 1798 French attack on Brava 1816 American consul officially established 1843 Small dock built in Furna 1850s Establishment of a secondary school 1867 Birth of Eugenio Tavares 1881 Birth of Marceline Manuel da Graca ("Daddy Grace") 1941-43 Famine ("tree stump hunger") 1943 Packet schooner Mathilde sailing to America is lost at sea. 1992 Completion of airstrip at Ribeira Verde

Packet ships in the port of Furna

 

Points of Interest

Faja d'Agua and Sorno
Nova Sintra
Mato Grande
Vinagre
Porto da Furna
Nossa Senhora Do Monte
Cachaco
Mt. Fontainhas  

Hotels and Accomodations

Nova Sintra  

Traveller's Information

• Brava and Fogo (satellite)
• Fogo, Brava (satellite)

 - see also the geography and the maps and images pages.

Updated Feb. 16, 1998
Maintained by Richard Leary
rleary@umassd.edu
Phone: (508) 994-2903
Postal: 609 Union St., New Bedford, MA, USA 02740

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