Fogo (; Portuguese for "fire") is an island in the Sotavento group of Cape Verde in the central Atlantic Ocean. Its population is 35,837 (2015), with an area of .

Fogo was discovered in 1460 by Genovese captain António de Noli on behalf of Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese Crown. It appeared in a 1598 map as I. de Fogo. Fogo was the second island of Cape Verde that was settled by the Portuguese, between 1470 and 1490, making São Filipe the second oldest town of Cape Verde after Cidade Velha.

The Fogo volcano erupted frequently, both from the summit and from flank fissures, notably in 1680, 1725, 1857, 1951, 1995, and 2014–15. The eruption of 1680 covered much of the island in ash, which forced many inhabitants to flee to the nearby island of Brava.

Until January 1992 the island was one single municipality, subdivided into four parishes. The southwestern three parishes joined the new municipality of São Filipe and the northeastern parish Nossa Senhora da Ajuda became the municipality of Mosteiros. The parish of Santa Catarina do Fogo was separated from São Filipe in 2005, and became the Municipality of Santa Catarina do Fogo.

Geography

One of the southernmost islands in Cape Verde, Fogo is located between the islands of Santiago to the east and Brava to the west. It is 26.3&nbsp;km long and 23.9&nbsp;km wide; its area is 476&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The endemic plants Echium vulcanorum (endangered) and Erysimum caboverdeanum (critically endangered) are only found on the outer crater rim of the volcano of Fogo.

Population

In the 1830s, Fogo had an estimated human population of 10,000. In 2015, Fogo had 35,837 inhabitants, making it the fourth most populous island in the Cape Verde archipelago after Santiago, São Vicente and Santo Antão.

| 1950

| 2015 The island has experienced a substantial diaspora. Many households live off remittances from emigrants in the U.S. and in European countries (Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Italy). Fogo fosters strong connections to Rhode Island and to Massachusetts (U.S.), where many people with Cape Verdean origin live.

Tourism is steadily becoming popular. The volcano (allowed only accompanied by a local guide) is the island's major attraction but many visitors also come to see relatives. The historic city of São Filipe and Chã das Caldeiras in the volcanic crater receive the bulk of visitors. No great tourism facilities exist, but there are small hotels and bed-and-breakfasts and local guides offer hiking tours.

Administrative divisions

The island is divided in three municipalities, which are subdivided into civil parishes:

  • Mosteiros
  • Nossa Senhora da Ajuda
  • Santa Catarina do Fogo
  • Santa Catarina do Fogo
  • São Filipe
  • Nossa Senhora da Conceição
  • São Lourenço

Transportation

The island has a domestic airport, São Filipe Airport, located in the southwest of the island. There is a port at Vale de Cavaleiros near São Filipe, with ferry connections to the islands of Brava (Furna) and Santiago (Praia). There are two first class national roads on Fogo: the Fogo Circular Road (EN1-FG01) and the road linking São Filipe and the island's port (EN1-FG02).

Sports

The main football teams are Académica do Fogo, Botafogo, Cutelinho, Spartak d'Aguadinha and Vulcânicos.

Notable people

  • Pedro Cardoso, poet
  • Zé Luís, footballer
  • Pedro Pires, first Prime Minister and 3rd President of Cape Verde
  • Henrique Teixeira de Sousa, writer
  • Carlos de Vasconcelos, politician and journalist

<gallery>

File:Mount fogo.jpg|Main ash cone of Pico do Fogo

File:Fogo-island-perspective.jpg|3-D image of the island of Fogo from NNE

File:Fogo, 2009.jpg|Chã das Caldeiras and main ash cone, Fogo. NASA satellite image, 2009

File:Ilha do Fogo aerial shot 1.jpg|Aerial shot

File:Ilha do Fogo aerial shot 2.jpg|Aerial shot

File:FogoLosma.jpg|Losma, an endemic medicinal plant

</gallery>

References

  • Informations and impressions from Fogo
  • Caboverde.com
  • University of Massachusetts – information and images from Fogo
  • Fogo people picture