Maio, Cape Verde

Maio
Native name: Dja r’ Mai’
Geography
Location Atlantic Ocean
Area 269 km2 (103.9 sq mi)
Length 31 km (19.3 mi)
Width 25 km (15.5 mi)
Highest elevation 436 m (1,430 ft)
Highest point Monte Penoso
Country
Cape Verde
Concelhos (Municipalities) Maio
Largest city Vila do Maio

Maio (in Cape Verdean Creole: Dja r’ Mai) is the easternmost of the Sotavento islands of Cape Verde. Maio is located south of the islands of Boa Vista and east of Santiago. The island is also known for its large forest, which is unusual for Cape Verde.

Contents

Geography

The island covers an area of 269 km². The tallest mountain on the island (436 m) is on the east coast, in a mountain range named Monte Penoso. Terra Salgadas is a plain filled with salt, in the far north. The northernmost point on the island is Ponta Cais. Bays includes Galeão and Santana to the north. The island’s main town is Vila do Maio, also known as Porto Inglês, near which its airport lies.

Settlements

History

It was named after its first sighting on May 1, 1460.

Population

The island population is about 5,435 and the population density is 20.2/km².

Demography

Population of Maio, Cape Verde (1940—2010)
1940[1] 1950[1] 1960[1] 1970[1] 1980[1] 1990[1] 2000[2] 2010[3]
2237 1924 2680 3466 4098 4969 6754 8303

Economy

The island prospered around salt collecting, with a little agriculture and grazing, but none of the industries are now profitable.

Other

Maio has a few schools or a collegiate (colegio), a high school, churches, beaches including Galeão and Santana, hotels, a port serving to the islands of Boa Vista and Santiago, and a square (praça).

Sporting teams

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Source: Statoids
  2. ^ Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatísticas.
  3. ^ Source: projection to 2010 from the Instituto Nacional de Estatísticas.

External links