The view
Mindelo and its bay below.
MariaCurista — CC BY-SA 4.0 · No machine-readable author provided. Kotoviski assumed (based on copyright claims). — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Manuel de Sousa — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Balou46 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ainars Brūvelis — CC BY-SA 3.0
Monte Verde, «green mountain» in Portuguese, is the highest point on the island of São Vicente at 744 metres. It rises in the east of the island, about 6 km in a straight line from the Mindelo waterfront. The mountain is part of Monte Verde Natural Park, covering 3.12 square kilometres. Its height makes it less arid than the rest of the island, so all of São Vicente's endemic plant species and communities are concentrated here. Of 93 plant species recorded, 17 are on the island's endangered list. A stone survey marker crowns the summit, and from it the view spreads across the bare island, Mindelo and its bay, and over the sea. The red and brown mountains behind the city glow at sunset, wild plants and flowers grow among the rocks, and the Cape Verde sparrow lives here. Visitors go up on foot or by car. Cloud sometimes wraps the summit and the wind is strong, so bring a jacket and water. Do not pick plants, as some are endangered.
Mindelo and its bay below.
Species found only here.
Glowing at sunset.
East of Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde
On foot or by car from Mindelo.
Its height makes it less arid than the rest of the island.