Sal, Atlantic island in Barlavento archipelago, Cape Verde.
Sal is an Atlantic island within the Barlavento group of Cape Verde, known for its beaches and dry interior. Shallow bays with pale sand stretch along the coast, while the center consists of rocky plains and scattered low hills.
Salt extraction began in the early 19th century and brought workers, traders, and sailors to the uninhabited isle. Mining declined after the 1980s as focus shifted toward tourism.
The name comes from the old salt flats that shaped the economy for centuries and now remain as abandoned pans near Pedra de Lume. Fishermen pull their colorful boats to shore in the mornings, while Coladeira and Funaná rhythms drift from small bars in the evenings.
Amílcar Cabral airport lies centrally and connects the isle to Europe and West Africa through regular flights. Most lodging sits along the southern coast, where stretches of beach are easy to reach on foot.
Turtles nest along the eastern shores between June and October, and local volunteers mark the egg sites at night with small signs. Windsurfers from around the world come to Santa Maria, where steady trade winds create ideal conditions for jumps and speed runs.
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