Emir, E77DX will be active as D4DX from Sao Vicente Island, IOTA AF - 086, Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, 13 - 26 November 2024.
He will operate on HF Bands including activity as D4DX in CQ WW DX CW Contest, 23 - 24 November 2024.
He will be in Single Operator All Band Category.
QSL for D4DX via E73Y.
São Vicente is an island of volcanoes, carnivals and gourmet food!
The West African republic of Cabo Verde consists of several separate islands, and the second most populous island is São Vicente. Sometimes you may also hear its other name, Porto Grande. The island is currently home to over 67,000 people and has a total area of 227 square kilometers. The largest settlements are Callau, Mindelo, Madeiral, Bahia das Gatas, São Pedro, Salamansa. If we take into account the administrative division of the island, it also includes the island of. Santa Lusia. Its size is rather small: length - only 13 km, width - no more than 5 km.
Sao Vicente has a dry tropical climate. This means that the year-round water temperature does not fall below +22 degrees Celsius and the air temperature is approximately 24 degrees. It is worth remembering that the island has a real rainy season, and it lasts from late summer to mid-autumn. The location of the island and its geographical features greatly contribute to the creation of such climatic conditions.
So, what are the geographical features of Sao Vicente?
Firstly, it is an island of volcanic origin, i.e. the formation of the land took place over centuries, including as a result of volcanic eruptions. Some craters of formerly active volcanoes have been preserved to this day. Secondly, despite the fact that the origin is indeed volcanic, the type of relief here is surprisingly flat. There are practically no mountains or any other elevations. The highest place on the island is Monte Verde Mountain. According to official data, its height is 774 meters.
Scientists, researchers and visitors from other countries are also attracted by the amazing fact that the island is dotted with capes on all sides. Let us list only the largest of them: Cape Mashado is located in the southern part of the island, Cape Caleta Grandi has become a real ornament on the eastern shore of San Vicenti, in the western part there is the equally attractive Cape João d'Évora, and in the north there is Cape Callau. Numerous coves and bays are considered to be the highlights of this region: Baia das Gatas, Porto Grande, Salamansa.
What do islanders on Sao Vicente and neighboring islands do today?
Fishing is a common activity that brings a stable income to the locals. Also deserves special attention is such a direction as cultivation and sale of fruits, which are considered exotic and quite rare in other countries. Many residents of the island. Many inhabitants of San Vicenti Island enjoy practicing various handicrafts. Today the island has a National Center of Crafts, which controls the activities of several large workshops. The most common products of craftsmen are wicker baskets and other similar products, souvenirs made of coconut shells, stylish jewelry for men and women made of sea stones, shells and other natural materials.
Locals like to spend their free time at various festivals and carnivals. The Bahia Das Gatash Festival, which is held on the island in August, is world famous. The program of the event, as a rule, includes a lot of interesting things: performances of both local and invited artists, extensive cultural program, water competitions and so on. Every visitor to Is. Sao Vicente at least once should visit the legendary carnivals - unique in its kind processions, presented with colorful specifications.
Has Sao Vicente Island always been so much fun?
Unfortunately, the territory of Sao Vicente Island was not always a place for fun, joy and positive emotions. For a long time it was simply uninhabited. People did not even have a desire to stay on it forever for a banal reason - the lack of fresh water. For a considerable period of time the island was a pasture for livestock from neighboring islands. It was only in the 19th century that English travelers took a keen interest in San Vicenti Island. What was the reason for this interest? The presence of large deposits of coal.
The town of Mindelu became world famous, as it became the largest port, which today receives ships from all over the world. In 2003, this city gained the status of “Cultural Capital of the Portuguese-speaking World”. The most popular culinary specialties of this city and the rest of the settlements: grilled lobsters, rice with clams, fried moray eel. By the way, the moray eel, according to many scientists, is a rather dangerous sea dweller, resembling an eel in appearance. But after proper preparation, the animal becomes a tasty dish, about which it is safe to say: “You can lick your fingers!”.