"The surface area of Santo Antão is 779 Km2 and it is the second largest island of the whole Archipelago. Its maximum length is of 43 Km, and the widest point is of 24 Km. The impressive high mountains constitute an attraction to those who visit the island, in the heart of which lays a mountain range from the northeast to the southeast culminating in a volcanic pick known as "Topo de Coroa", 1.979 meter high, one of the highest points of the island.

Santo Antão was discovered in 1462, but the Portuguese Crown would start its settlement around the year of 1548. A major development of the island as well as a network of new roads to improve the connection between the different communities in the island have not been possible due to the height of the mountains; they’re however considered to be important steps that should be taken towards the development of the island.

The landscape is desert to the South, but with the vegetation becoming very exuberant as one approaches the North of the Island, which is at the same time one of the most agricultural of the whole Archipelago. In fact, sugar cane, manioc, banana, breadfruit, mango, papaya, as well as many other plantations can be found in the island. Grog, a national strong alcoholic drink made from the sugar cane, is produced in a traditional way, in the "trapiches" (rudimentary machine moved by cows that grinds the sugar cane), which can still be found in some of the islands. The people’s hospitality is usually shown in the warm way that foreigners are welcomed everywhere in the island."

Source: Cape Verde Tourist Guide