Map of Cabo Verde – Islands, Towns & Location Guide
Explore the map of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean west of mainland Africa. Use the interactive map to find Praia, Mindelo, Sal, Boa Vista and the other islands, then explore the country's island groups, main towns, volcanic landscapes and travel connections.
Cabo Verde consists of ten main islands, nine of which are inhabited. The islands are spread over a considerable area of ocean, so a map of the entire archipelago is useful for understanding distances and why travel between islands often requires a ferry or domestic flight.
Cabo Verde is an Atlantic island nation off West Africa. Its capital, Praia, is on Santiago Island. The country has ten main islands divided into northern Barlavento and southern Sotavento groups. Nine are inhabited; Santa Luzia is uninhabited.
Interactive Map of Cabo Verde
Zoom in to view individual islands, settlements, roads, coastlines and terrain. Zoom out to see how the archipelago lies west of Senegal and the African mainland.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Where Is Cabo Verde?
Cabo Verde lies in the Atlantic Ocean, several hundred kilometres west of the coast of Africa, roughly opposite Senegal. Although it belongs geographically to the African region, none of its islands shares a land border with another country. The nation covers approximately 4,033 square kilometres of land, while ocean separates the islands.
The name Cabo Verde is the country's official international name. English-language maps and travel guides may also use Cape Verde. Both names refer to the same archipelago.
The Ten Islands of Cabo Verde
The islands are traditionally divided into two groups: Barlavento (Windward) in the north and Sotavento (Leeward) in the south.
| Island group | Islands |
|---|---|
| Barlavento (north) | Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista |
| Sotavento (south) | Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava |
Santiago is the largest island and contains the national capital. São Vicente is known for the harbour city of Mindelo. Sal and Boa Vista have broad beaches and relatively flat, dry landscapes. Santo Antão is known for steep green valleys and mountain scenery, while Fogo is dominated by a prominent volcano. Brava, Maio and São Nicolau offer different combinations of coastal settlements and rugged interior terrain.
Santa Luzia is the only one of the ten main islands without a resident population. It is an environmentally sensitive island, rather than a normal visitor destination.
Capital, Main Towns and Settlements
- Praia (Santiago): National capital and a major administrative, commercial and transport centre.
- Mindelo (São Vicente): Important port city known for its waterfront and cultural life.
- Santa Maria (Sal): Coastal town associated with beaches and visitor accommodation.
- Espargos (Sal): An inland town near Sal's main airport.
- Sal Rei (Boa Vista): Principal town on Boa Vista Island.
- São Filipe (Fogo): A main settlement and access point for the volcanic island.
- Porto Novo (Santo Antão): Key ferry gateway from São Vicente.
- Assomada (Santiago): Important town in Santiago's interior.
Municipalities and Administrative Geography
Cabo Verde is divided into 22 municipalities (concelhos), spread across its nine inhabited islands. Some islands, including Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Brava and São Vicente, form a single municipality each. Santiago has nine municipalities; Santo Antão and Fogo have three each, and São Nicolau has two.
Municipal boundaries are useful for locating local administration, but visitors usually navigate using island names and nearby towns. On detailed maps, the same island may show several municipalities rather than a single region.
Mountains, Volcanoes and Coastal Landscapes
The islands formed through volcanic activity and have strikingly different landscapes. Pico do Fogo, on Fogo Island, is the country's highest summit and a defining feature of its geography. Santo Antão and Santiago contain rugged mountains and valleys, while Sal, Boa Vista and Maio are generally flatter and drier.
Coastal conditions vary from sheltered bays to exposed Atlantic shores. The steep terrain of several islands means a straight line on a map can be misleading: road journeys may follow winding routes around mountains and deep valleys.
Airports, Ferries and Getting Around
International air services use airports on islands including Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente. Domestic flight routes and schedules can change. Ferries also connect selected islands, with important links such as São Vicente to Santo Antão. Conditions at sea can affect departures, so check current services before planning an island-to-island connection.
On larger inhabited islands, roads connect the principal towns and villages. Taxis, shared local transport and car hire may be available, but options differ considerably between islands. Plan journeys by island and route, not by apparent distance on the overview map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabo Verde the same as Cape Verde?
Yes. Cabo Verde is the official name, while Cape Verde remains a familiar English-language alternative.
What is the capital of Cabo Verde?
Praia, located on Santiago Island, is the country's capital.
How many islands does Cabo Verde have?
It has ten main islands, of which nine are inhabited, as well as smaller islets.
Which island is the largest?
Santiago is the largest island and contains Praia.
Which island is uninhabited?
Santa Luzia has no permanent residents.
Does Cabo Verde share a land border?
No. It is an island nation surrounded by Atlantic waters, west of mainland Africa.
Can you travel between the islands by road?
No. Roads operate within individual islands; travelling between them requires a sea or air connection where available.
Further Map Reading
For a wider view of this part of the world, explore other country maps and geographic guides on this website. Comparing an island-level map with a regional Atlantic map helps explain Cabo Verde's position relative to West Africa and major ocean routes.