500 km off the coast of Senegal on the western-most tip of Africa in the North Atlantic Ocean, lies the Republic of Cape Verde. Covering an area of about 4000 sq km, this is an archipelago of 10 main islands and about 8 islets, divided into the northern and southern island groups, of which only a few are uninhabited but all of which are volcanic in nature - an active volcano is still in existence on the island of Fogo. With uninterrupted exposure to the often fierce Atlantic winds, fascinating rock formations created from the ever shifting sands, and craggy sheer-faced cliffs rising out of the sea contribute to Cape Verde's spectacular topography, but natural vegetation is sparse on upland and coastal situations becoming denser only on the plains and in the valleys of the islands' more protected interior regions.

Tempered by trade winds, the climate of Cape Verde is distinctly tropical with temperatures remaining consistently hot throughout the whole year and never dipping much below 25°C between February and June, which is the time when most visitors rent holiday villas on Sal Island, or any of the other Cape Verde Islands. In later months, the rising heat and humidity and erratic rainfall produce a level of unpredictability that makes these islands less popular with holiday-makers, although many seasoned travellers enjoy any opportunity to soak up some tropical island weather, no-matter how hot or wet it can get, especially when there are so many other reasons to visit the Cape Verde Islands besides climate.

The Cape Verde Islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and today the eclectic mix of Portuguese and African cultures still thrives amongst a population of roughly 4 million people who are descended from both ethnic groups. In a country whose official language is Portuguese, its people are more likely to speak the Capeverdean Crioulo languages which vary considerably between the different islands, so whether you're renting a holiday apartment on Sal Island, Santiago, Boavista, Sao Vicente, or any of the other Cape Verde Islands, you'll be guaranteed of a different linguistic experience wherever you go - not that that will give you any cause for concern when you realise that when it comes to an endless supply of paradise beaches, the Cape Verde Islands are all speaking with the same tongue!

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