Sailboats Moored In Mindelo Harbour, Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde Editorial Photo

Mindelo is a port city in the northern part of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. The city is home to 93% of the entire island`s population. It was founded in 1795 by the Portuguese. It became a coal deposit for ships of the British East India Company in 1838, followed by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1850 In 1884 a submarine communications cable was laid between Europe, Africa, India and North America, making Mindelo an important communications centre for the British Empire. The shift from coal to oil as fuel for ships after 1900 caused the decline of Mindelo. Unemployment and poverty struck the island, even worsened by famines and the crisis of the 1930s. Many inhabitants emigrated. With independence, the city gained more prominence and has seen steady growth. Mindelo is considered the cultural capital of Cape Verde.