Barlavento and Sotavento
The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are made up of two groups: the islands of Barlavento (meaning “from where the wind blows”) and the islands of Sotavento (“where the wind blows away”). Their names reflect the positions of the islands relative to the dominant winds (trade winds) that blow from the northeast. The islands of Barlavento (Santo Antão, S. Vicente, Santa Luzia, S. Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista), are further north, and the islands of Sotavento (Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava), are further south.
The 10 islands of Cape Verde are also complemented by 16 islets: in Barlavento, Ilhéu dos Pássaros, between S. Vicente and Santo Antão; Branco and Raso, between Santa Luzia and S. Nicolau; Rabo de Junco next to Sal Island; Ilhéu de Sal Rei, Curral Velho and Baluarte, behind Boa Vista. In Sotavento, the islet of Santa Maria, opposite Praia, in Santiago; the islet of Areia, next to Brava, and the islets Grande, Rombo, Baixo, de Cima, do Rei, Luís Carneiro and Sapado, 8 Km north of that island.
The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are made up of two groups: the islands of Barlavento (meaning “from where the wind blows”) and the islands of Sotavento (“where the wind blows away”). Their names reflect the positions of the islands relative to the dominant winds (trade winds) that blow from the northeast. The islands of Barlavento (Santo Antão, S. Vicente, Santa Luzia, S. Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista), are further north, and the islands of Sotavento (Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava), are further south.
The 10 islands of Cape Verde are also complemented by 16 islets: in Barlavento, Ilhéu dos Pássaros, between S. Vicente and Santo Antão; Branco and Raso, between Santa Luzia and S. Nicolau; Rabo de Junco next to Sal Island; Ilhéu de Sal Rei, Curral Velho and Baluarte, behind Boa Vista. In Sotavento, the islet of Santa Maria, opposite Praia, in Santiago; the islet of Areia, next to Brava, and the islets Grande, Rombo, Baixo, de Cima, do Rei, Luís Carneiro and Sapado, 8 Km north of that island.
