Ponta Grande

Ponta Grande belongs to the waters around the dry island of Santa Luzia, between São Vicente and São Nicolau in Cape Verde's windward group. The islands rise from the Atlantic far off the West African coast; their shores and channels offered landmarks to passing ships. On neighbouring São Vicente, the bay of Porto Grande gave shelter, but the island's scarcity of fresh water made settlement difficult. A fort was built there in 1724, long before a substantial town grew beside the bay.