Page 81 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

58 Africa

Figure CS2.1 Fogo is an active volcanic island in the Sotavento group of Cape Verde

spurting 400m high. It is estimated that at the 17 per cent in industry, 4 per cent in infrastructure,
eruption’s height the volcano ejected 4–8.5 million and 21 per cent in fisheries and services.
cubic metres of material per day. One month later Horse riding is provided at Cha das Caldeiras
the lava had thickened but was still flowing at and this allows people to explore the volcano on
15cm per hour. It was another month before the horseback, when restrictions are not in force
flow stopped. owing to increased volcanic activity. The volcano
In February 2003, the volcano and the is the island’s major attraction but many visitors
surrounding plateau became Cape Verde’s first also come to see relatives. The historic town of
national park on an inhabited island. The economy São Filipe and the Chã das Caldeiras in the
of the island is based on agriculture and fishing, volcanic crater receive the bulk of visitors. São
with coffee and wine among the main products Filipe’s buildings are in the classic Portuguese
but recently tourism has become steadily more colonial architectural style.
popular. The government has pursued market- In Salina de Sao Jorge there is a natural
oriented economic policies since 1991, including swimming pool with black reefs which is worth a
an open welcome to foreign investors and a far- visit. Guides are also available to assist hikers. The
reaching privatization programme. It has established slopes in the north-eastern part are green and
as top development priorities the promotion of the grassy all-year round, but the rest of the mountain
market economy and of the private sector, the is dry and barren.
development of tourism, light manufacturing There are at least three volcanic tubes to
industries and fisheries, and the development of explore on Fogo. The tubes are lava flows that
transport, communications and energy facilities. solidify on the outside, after which the inner
Between 1994 and 2000 there were a total of about liquid flows away leaving them hollow inside.
USD407 million in foreign investments made or Inside they are beautiful, with frozen lava in
planned, of which 58 per cent was in tourism, streams down the inner walls.

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