São Nicolau (Portuguese meaning Saint Nicholas) is one of the Barlavento (Windward) islands of Cape Verde. It is located between the islands of São Vicente and Sal. Its population is 12,864, with an area of 388 km². The mountainous island is mostly agricultural but is subject to droughts. The flat areas and hills dominate most of the coastline and the central part. A peninsula covers the eastern part of the island. The highest point on the island is Monte Gordo (1,312 m). First inhabited in the sixteenth century, it is known for its mountains and for its main town, Ribeira Brava, long the seat of the Cape Verde diocese. Its other town is the ferry and the fishing port of Tarrafal. Its economy consists mainly of agriculture as well as fishing and tourism near its beaches. Much of the population is rural. Preguiça Airport is located to the south between Vila da Ribeira Brava and Campo. GeographyMunicipally São Nicolau includes the unhabited islands of Santa Luzia, Branco and Raso which were once administered by São Vicente. The highest point is around 1,300 m while the sea amount totals to around 5,300 m. Other mountains include Monte Bissau in the central part and Pico do Alberto to the east.
HistoryA famine affected the entire island in the 1940s which lead to emigration, mainly to São Tomé and Principe.
ParishesThe municipality formerly included the parishes of São João Baptista and Santo André. Today it administers only one parish. Tarrafal de São Nicolau, covering the western part of the island, split from the rest of the island creating its own municipality. It now covers the northern and the eastern portions of the island.
OtherSão Nicolau has a few schools or collegiates (colegio), a few lyceums (middle schools), a gymnasium (secondary schools), churches, beaches, ports, a post office and squares (praças).
PersonsAmandio Cabral (b. 1934) - a Capeverdean singer who currently lives in California outside Cape Verde Teofilo Chantre (b. 1964) - a Capeverdean musician Antonio Gominho - a Capeverdean writer Baltasar Lopes da Silva (April 23, 1907 - May 28, 1989 in Mindelo) José Lopes da Silva (pseudonym: Gabrial Mariano, May 18, 1928 - February 18, 2003)
Wikipedia - Sao Nicolau Island
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