Santa Luzia
The flag of Cape Verde, introduced in 1992, has ten stars. Each one represents one of the ten largest islands, nine of which are currently inhabited. The tenth star thus symbolizes Santa Luzia, the largest of the archipelago’s uninhabited islands.
Politically, the 34 km² “Island of Santa Luzia” belongs to São Vicente, which is eight kilometers away. Santa Luzia is very dry and has only one water hole. For this reason, it was mainly used as a stopping point for fishermen and, since the 18th century, shepherds have also grazed goats here from time to time. The community’s stay was short-lived and, since the 1960s, the island has been uninhabited due to the lack of water, although fishermen do occasionally stay overnight.
The highest point on the island is Mount Orande, at just 397 meters. Baia de Praia, with its fine sand, is located in the southwest of the island, in a bay largely protected from the trade winds. That’s why yachts and fishing boats often anchor here.
Along with the neighboring islands of Ilhéu Branco and Ilhéu Raso, Santa Luzia was declared a nature reserve in 2003 with the aim of sheltering rare species of reptiles and birds.
The island can be visited on individual day trips in fishing boats from Calhau in São Vicente, the crossing taking around two hours.
