Cape Verde National Day

Cape Verde is the third largest nesting site for loggerhead turtles. The archipelago is made up of ten islands and five islets. Santa Luzia is the archipelago's only uninhabited island. Only half a million people live here, the majority on Santiago.

July 5th is recognized as Independence Day for Cape Verde. After being colonized by Portugal from 1460 to 1975, the African archipelago has made several strides, but it also has challenges ahead.

National Day in honor of Independence Warrior Amílcar Cabral. This is an official national holiday. Amílcar Cabral – Father of the nation. If you are in Cape Verde you will most likely see the name Amílcar Cabral passing by somewhere. For example as a street name, the name of a square or the airport of the island of Sal. But who is Amílcar Cabral? In Cape Verde, Amílcar Lopes Cabral (1924 – 1972) is the father of the country. He lives in the hearts of all Cape Verdeans. He is the most famous fighter for Cape Verde’s independence and is therefore an important part of Cape Verde’s history.