Sal
The island is actually called “Ilha do Sal”, the salt island, but everyone just calls it Sal. With around 36,000 inhabitants in 216 square kilometers, the island of Sal is sparsely populated and made up mainly of sand. The island resembles a golden jewel in the deep blue sea and is practically flat. The highest elevation is “Monte Grande”, at just 405 meters.
In the past, salt was mined, but today this industry is of little importance. Most of the inhabitants make their living from tourism in one way or another. Surfers in particular appreciate the strong trade winds, which provide fantastic conditions from November to April.
The capital Espargos is the center of the island, where you can find everything you need for life. However, the main tourist center is the town of Santa Maria, where there are also large hotel complexes on the beautiful, wide, kilometre-long beach.
There are several ancient salt pans and oases on the volcanic island, the rest of which consists mainly of sand and rocks. One of these salt pans, Pedra de Lume, is used for tourism purposes – for an entrance fee, visitors can bathe in the highly salty water, similar to that of the Dead Sea.
Divers also get their money’s worth on this island. However, Sal mainly attracts sun lovers, as it hardly ever rains on this island. If you like strolling along the beach and soaking up the sun, Sal is the place for you.
