A Brief History Of The Cape Verde Islands

The Cape Verde islands are thought to have been officially first discovered in 1456 by the Portuguese, but there are suggestions that the islands had already been discovered previously to this. However, there is no evidence to back this up, and it is instead based on the probability of such a scenario.

When the Portuguese arrived they quickly declared the islands part of their country’s territory, a status that they held until relatively recently. Alvise Cadamosto was the one to make the discovery, and records suggest that the islands that he discovered were at that time lush with vegetation, hence the name ‘Verde’, even though such greenery is not so prevalent today.

The Islands

The islands were all discovered at different times, and have all played different roles throughout the history of Cape Verde. Sal was discovered in 1460, along with Boavista, Santiago and Maio. It was originally named Llana, but became important for the salt plains that were discovered on it. Indeed, the exportation of salt was the biggest business for the island before tourism came along. São Vicente was also discovered early on in 1462, but it was only in the 19th century that it began to be significantly populated.

However, Santiago has played the biggest role in the history of the islands, as it was here that the first permanent settlement was founded in 1462. Named Ribeira Grande, and now known as Cidade Velha, it had the distinction of being the first permanent tropical settlement to be founded by Europeans.

Growth Through Slavery

Soon after the foundation of Ribeira Grande at the end of the 15th century, Cape Verde grew in importance due to its role in the transatlantic slave trade. Slaves were taken from Africa to Cape Verde, and throughout the 16th century the islands prospered greatly due to their ideal location.

Ribeira Grande was, however, prone to attacks by pirates, who would constantly set about plundering the settlement due to its prosperity. Indeed, it wasn’t only pirates who attacked the city, with both the English and the French making their own attacks. It was the last of these in 1712 which led to the decline of the city as the main settlement on the islands, making way for the growth of Praia, which is the most important city on the islands to this day.

Challenging Times

Despite its early prosperity, Cape Verde was to be devastated by a number of serious droughts in the 18th and 19th centuries, which coincided with the abolition of the slave trade. As this was by far the major player in the economy of the islands, it led to a period of decline in Cape Verde’s economy.

However, it was not long before the islands found a completely different role to play after slavery had been eradicated. During the 20th century, it rapidly grew as a major refuelling stop for the increasing numbers of huge ocean liners, where ships would stop for supplies of fuel, water and other commodities. The harbour, Mindelo, was built up significantly with the help of the British to deal with the country’s coal interests, and it became a hugely important factor in Cape Verde’s economic growth.

But the honeymoon period was not to last, and the arrival of World War II, followed by the decline of the British coal trade later in the century, dealt the economy further harsh blows.

Independence

As the economy went into decline, the first half of the 20th century was a tough time for the inhabitants of Cape Verde. They were plagued by droughts and epidemics, whilst their Portuguese rulers did very little to help. As countries across Africa fought for their independence, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was formed. However, it wasn’t until 1975 and the fall of the dictator Salazar that the islands finally managed to secure their independence.

Modern Times

These days, the Cape Verde islands are well known for their all-year sunshine and burgeoning tourism industry. Evidence of the fascinating history can be found throughout the islands, and it is now just one of a number of draws that make the islands so interesting to visit.