SANTIAGO The widest island of all archipelago with its 991 kmq and the most populated with 205.000 inhabitants mostly living in the capital Praia. Mountainous and uneven this island has two main chains: Pico de Antonia, in the middle and to the north Serra da Malagueta. the coasts are quite high with few white sanded beaches. In this island the history of Cape Verde took origin in 1942, Ribeira Grande was the first european colony in the tropics. Afterwards climat mutations create a progressive territory withering.         The inside and coasts are very cultivated, making this island one of the most productive place of the whole archipelago. During the colonization groups of people took refuge in the forest inside the island creating small villages maintaining their usage and custom related to their etnic origins. Few of them are still living in the heart of Santiago,in their houses with palm leaves roofs. You easly will reconize them along the road connecting Praia to Tarrafal.         Praia The capital of the archipelago, siege of the governement offices. La capitale dell’arcipelago di Capo Verde, sede del Governo. The most european town of all Cape Verde islands. Visit the beaches Prainha and Quebra Canela, meeting place for tourists and locals. The town centeris the square Alexandre de Albuquerque, the first residencial location and the Plateau the commercial center of Praia.Do not miss the "Mercato de Sucupira" where you will find any type of item: from food, to artcraft. The other villages Cidade Velha is the place where Cape Verde history took its origin, the Botanic Garden Sao Jorge do Orgaos. In Sao Francisco there are the most beautiful beaches of the island, the most famous is Tarrafal, a wonderful white sanded beach surrounded by coconut threes.