The islands of Cape Verde are a bewitching blend of Portuguese and African influences, as seen in the many European –style buildings dotted amongst the ever-changing landscape, the unique musical styles, and the fascinating mixture of African and European custom and conduct.
The territory of Cabo Verde is divided into 22 concelhos (municipalities), and subdivided into 32 freguesias (equivalent to civil parish).
Cape Verdean cuisine owes much to European influences and to the life in the sea around the archipelago. Perhaps the most ubiquitous dish is catchupa, a dish of ground maize, beans and sometimes meat or chicken.