Mindelo, Cape Verde
| Mindelo | |
|---|---|
View from Gut
|
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: 16°53′10″N 24°59′17″W / 16.886°N 24.988°WCoordinates: 16°53′10″N 24°59′17″W / 16.886°N 24.988°W | |
| Country | Cape Verde |
| Island | São Vicente |
| Municipality | São Vicente |
| Civil parish | Nossa Senhora da Luz |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 69,904 |
Mindelo (Cape Verdean Creole: Mindel’) is a port city in the northern part of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. Mindelo is also the seat of the parish of Nossa Senhora da Luz, and this island's municipality. The city is home to 93% of the entire island's population. The town is known for its colourful and animated carnival celebrations, with roots in Portuguese traditions.
A settlement at Mindelo was founded in 1795 by the Portuguese. It became a coal deposit for ships of the British East India Company in 1838, followed by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1850. The town grew to 1,400 inhabitants in the 1850s. In 1884 a submarine communications cable was laid between Europe, Africa, India and North America, making Mindelo an important communications centre for the British Empire.
The shift from coal to oil as fuel for ships after 1900 caused the decline of Mindelo. Unemployment and poverty struck the island, even worsened by famines and the crisis of the 1930s. Many inhabitants emigrated. With independence, the city gained more prominence and has seen steady growth.
Mindelo was the cultural capital of the Portuguese-speaking world from November 2002 until November 2003. Mindelo is also considered the cultural capital of Cape Verde.
Mindelo is situated at the Porto Grande Bay, a large natural harbour. The town is surrounded by low mountains: the Monte Cara and the Morro Branco headland to the west, and the Monte Verde to the east. The town is crossed by the river Ribeira de Julião.
The Cesária Évora Airport lies 9 km (6 mi) southwest of Mindelo, near the village São Pedro. Ferries for Santo Antão leave from the port. The main streets of Mindelo are Rua Lisboa and Avenida Marginal. Many colonial buildings have been preserved in the city centre.
...
Wikipedia