The largest island in the archipelago, boasting the best
scenery, Sao Tiago is also the most populated. Its residents are
more African in culture, which is reflected in its musical
traditions, markets and the many festivals held during the year.
Two towering mountain chains characterise the interior, while the
coastline sports small sandy palm-fringed coves. Sao Tiago is the
site of Cape Verde's capital city, Praia, and the picturesque
fishing town of Tarrafal. Praia has an interesting marine
archaeology museum dedicated to documenting the various shipwrecks
that have occurred around the islands. The historic old port city,
Cidade Velha, was a major slave-trading post and retains cobbled
lanes and stone buildings in the shadow of its old 15th-century
fortress and Cathedral.
