Maio, Cape Verde
| Native name: Dja r’ Mai’ | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°13′33″N 23°9′56″W / 15.22583°N 23.16556°W |
| Area | 269 km2 (104 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 | |
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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 known for its sandy beaches and large forest, which is unusual for Cape Verde.
History
It was named after its first sighting on May 1, 1460.
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, Maio Airport lies.
Settlements
- Alcatraz
- Barreiro
- Calheta
- Figueira da Horta
- Figueira Seca
- Funchago
- João
- Lagoa
- Monte Branco
- Morro
- Morrinho
- Pedro Vaz, on Maio's east coast
- Pedro Vaz, near Galeão
- Pilão Cão
- Porto Cais
- Praia Gonçalo
- Ribeira Dom João
- Santo Antônio
- Vila do Maio (formerly Porto Inglês, meaning English Port) (pop: 1,561)
Population
As of 1832, the population was estimated at 2,500.[1]
Demographics
| Population of Maio, Cape Verde (1940—2010) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940[2] | 1950[2] | 1960[2] | 1970[2] | 1980[2] | 1990[2] | 2000[3] | 2010[4] |
| 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.
Attractions and amenities
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).
Sports
- Académica da Calheta
- Académico 83
- Barreirense
- Beira-Mar
- Onze Unidos
- Santana de Morrinho
References
- ↑ Roberts, Edmund (1837). Embassy to the Eastern Courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat. New York: Harper & Brothers. p. 17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Source: Statoids
- ↑ Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatísticas.
- ↑ Source: projection to 2010 from the Instituto Nacional de Estatísticas.
External links
Coordinates: 15°13′33″N 23°9′56″W / 15.22583°N 23.16556°W
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