Cape Verde is celebrating 40 years of independence this month and, to commemorate achieving freedom from the Portuguese, overseas property developer The Resort Group has shared 40 of its favourite facts about Cape Verde.

Cape Verde, which is located in the Atlantic Ocean some 500km off the west coast of Africa, was declared independent on 5th July 1975. According to the Cape Verdean government, its independence has led the country to earn a reputation for social stability and peace, and is now enjoying relationships with a range of companies across the world including The Resort Group.

Rob Jarrett, CEO of The Resort Group PLC, said: “Cape Verde is a beautiful country and the islands are causing quite a stir in the overseas property market. With more people holidaying in Cape Verde, and tourism climbing year-on-year, we'll continue to see high demand for rental properties, which is why we are continuing to make plans to build new properties. Our goal is to provide a range of five-star properties that will ensure the guest experience is first class and the touristic flow can continue in Cape Verde. We also have a fantastic working relationship with the Cape Verdean government which is fully supportive of our efforts for boosting tourism.”

The Resort Group's 40 Favourite Facts:

1. Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on 5th July 1975
2. Portuguese sailors discovered Cape Verde in the 15th century
3. Portuguese mariners named the Cape Verde islands 'Green Cape' because the vegetation was so lush and green  
4. Creole is the local language
5. Sal was once the largest exporter of salt in the world
6. The sun shines all year round
7. Cape Verde boasts stretches of pristine white sandy beaches
8. Cape Verde has been dubbed the European Caribbean
9. Flights from the UK are 5½ hours
10. There are more than 40 international flights per week
11. There has been a 115% growth in tourism since 2000
12. Sal is the world's top five windsurfing resorts
13. Loggerhead turtles and humpback whales feed in the islands' waters
14. The best/biggest waves are from April to June
15. April is the best time for Marlin fishing
16. Divers and snorkelers can experience plenty of sea-life off Cape Verde's shores including tropical fish, rainbow-bright reefs and shipwrecks
17. Spring or early Summer is the best time to see giant humpback whales breed on Boa Vista island
18. Atlantic winds keep the atmosphere almost free from humidity 
19. Rare species of birds pass through the Cape Verde skies
20. In late summer, the Harmattan wind flows off the Sahara Desert across the Gulf of Guinea. This is known locally as 'the doctor because of its health-enhancing qualities
21. Charles Darwin was inspired whilst visiting Cape Verde to write the first chapter of Origin of the Species
22. The national football team is nicknamed Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) and beat Portugal in an international friendly match earlier this year
23. Cape Verdean Kevin Antunes made his name with boy band N'Sync and is friends with Justin Timberlake
24. Cape Verde has recently tempted a host of celebrities including Denise Van Outen, Tinie Tempah, Simon Webbe and footballer Luís Nani
25. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) placed Cape Verde 10th in the top 50 holiday hotspots around the world
26. The Resort Group's first property, MELIÁ Tortuga Beach Resort, opened in May 2011
27. The O'Grille Beach Bar at MELIÁ Tortuga Beach Resort has been voted as one of the world's best beach bars
28. The Resort Group signed a deal with Hilton Worldwide to open a new hotel in Praia
29. People who invest in a property with The Resort Group can do so using cash or through their pension
30. The Resort Group guarantees an off-plan incentive of 7% per annum return during the construction phase
31. Thomson sells holidays to both of The Resort Group's completed properties 
32. Llana Beach Hotel is scheduled to open in 2016
33. MELIÁ Dunas Beach Resort & Spa opened in November 2014
34. MELIÁ Dunas Beach Resort & Spa launched a new waterpark in 2015
35. The Resort Group offers inspection tours to prospective cash purchasers for £750 per person
36. The Resort Group founded the Cape Verde Foundation to make a positive contribution across a variety of projects
37. The Cape Verde Foundation will be hosting its 5th Annual Christmas Party in December 2015
38. Thomson added the Dreamliner 787 to its fleet of aircraft in May 2015, and now regularly flies to Cape Verde
39. Properties can be purchased outright through The Resort Group from €155,000, with fractional investments available from £10,000
40. The Resort Group will develop six resorts on the island of Boa Vista, with the first being White Sands Hotel & Spa 

The Resort Group is also running a number of events in Cape Verde to celebrate the 40th year of independence. On 5th July, its second development MELIÁ Dunas Beach Resort & Spa will be organising traditional daytime activities, which is combined with dressing up with different traditional costumes, as well as a traditional dance show in the evening. Elsewhere in Cape Verde, the island of São Vicente will host the first edition of the festival Mindel Arena, a 40-hour cultural festival of music, dance and theatre.

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About The Resort Group

The Resort Group is a property developer of the highest quality, with an unrivalled reputation for offering a range of safe, secure and proven property investment opportunities to property owners and investors. 

The Resort Group currently has two resorts in operation in, with 1,623 rooms, and eight resorts and hotels in various stages of planning and development. Once completed, the total number of rooms included in the portfolio in Cape Verde is expected to be in excess of 6,500 rooms. 

It specialises in developing luxurious beach front hotels and resorts in partnership with world-class hotel operators. It is currently focused on a range of 5-star projects in Cape Verde, one of the world's hottest property investment locations, thanks to its rapidly growing tourism industry.

This means it is able to offer significant and sustainable rental returns as well as capital growth opportunities for its customers. Whether it's a new property investment or the expansion of an existing portfolio, a property from The Resort Group can help build a more rewarding future.

For more information see https://www.theresortgroupplc.com.