# Brava

> smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde

**Wikidata**: [Q492528](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q492528)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brava,_Cape_Verde)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brava

## Summary
Brava is the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde, an archipelago of ten islands off the western coast of Africa. Located in the Sotavento Islands group, Brava has a population of 5,638 and is part of Cape Verde’s sovereign state, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The island is known for its volcanic terrain, tropical climate, and cultural blend of Portuguese and African influences.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Part of the Sotavento Islands group in Cape Verde, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
- **Population**: 5,638 (as of the provided data).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 14.866667°, Longitude -24.7°.
- **Parent Entity**: Cape Verde, a sovereign state comprising ten islands.
- **Independence**: Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975.
- **Geographic Grouping**: Belongs to the Sotavento Islands, the southern island group of Cape Verde.
- **Climate**: Tropical, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of Cape Verde’s 22 municipalities.
- **Cultural Identity**: Reflects a blend of Portuguese and African influences, similar to other Cape Verdean islands.
- **Image**: Featured in public domain photography by Ingo Wölbern, depicting Furna in Cape Verde.
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 (indicating broad online presence and recognition).

## FAQs
**What is the population of Brava?**
Brava has a population of 5,638, making it the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde. The island is part of the archipelago’s 22 municipalities and reflects the broader demographic trends of Cape Verde, with a mixed African and European heritage.

**Where is Brava located, and what is its climate like?**
Brava is located in the Sotavento Islands group of Cape Verde, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is tropical, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, though rainfall is often scarce and unpredictable.

**How does Brava’s culture reflect its history?**
Brava’s culture is a blend of Portuguese and African influences, similar to other Cape Verdean islands. The population speaks Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese, and traditional foods like Cachupa reflect this cultural synthesis.

**What is the significance of Brava within Cape Verde?**
Brava is notable as the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde, contributing to the archipelago’s unique cultural and geographic diversity. Its volcanic terrain and tropical climate are characteristic of the region, reinforcing Cape Verde’s status as a resilient and culturally rich nation.

## Why It Matters
Brava matters as a microcosm of Cape Verde’s broader significance as a stable democratic beacon in West Africa. As the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago, Brava exemplifies the country’s resilience and cultural fusion, blending Portuguese and African traditions. Its strategic location within the Atlantic Ocean underscores Cape Verde’s role as a maritime hub, connecting Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The island’s tropical climate and volcanic landscape highlight the challenges and opportunities of living in a small island state, reinforcing Cape Verde’s leadership in advocating for climate change mitigation and sustainable development.

## Notable For
- **Smallest Inhabited Island**: Brava is the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde, with a population of 5,638.
- **Cultural Fusion**: Reflects a unique blend of Portuguese and African influences, evident in its music, cuisine, and language.
- **Volcanic Terrain**: Features volcanic landscapes characteristic of Cape Verde’s Sotavento Islands group.
- **Tropical Climate**: Experiences a tropical climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of the region.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of Cape Verde’s 22 municipalities, contributing to the archipelago’s governance structure.
- **Strategic Location**: Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, Brava plays a role in regional maritime and trade networks.

## Body
### Geography and Environment
Brava is part of the Sotavento Islands group in Cape Verde, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. The island has a population of 5,638 and is known for its volcanic terrain and tropical climate. The coordinates are latitude 14.866667° and longitude -24.7°. The climate is tropical, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, though rainfall is often scarce and unpredictable. The island is featured in public domain photography by Ingo Wölbern, depicting Furna in Cape Verde.

### History and Independence
Brava is part of Cape Verde, which gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975. The archipelago consists of ten islands, and Brava is one of the 22 municipalities. The country operates as a parliamentary republic with Praia as its capital. The national anthem is "Cântico da Liberdade," adopted in 1996, and the national motto is "Paz, Trabalho, Pátria" (Peace, Work, Fatherland).

### Demographics and Society
The population of Brava is 5,638, reflecting the broader demographic trends of Cape Verde. The society is highly urbanized, with a significant portion of the population living in the capital, Praia. The demographic profile shows a birth rate of 16.686 per 1,000 people and a death rate of 5.659 per 1,000 people as of 2022. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 72.8 years. The literacy rate stands at 87%, reflecting significant investments in education.

### Culture and Symbols
Brava’s culture reflects a blend of Portuguese and African influences, similar to other Cape Verdean islands. The population speaks Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese, and traditional foods like Cachupa reflect this cultural synthesis. The national flag features a blue field with a circle of ten yellow stars, a red and white stripe, and a yellow hammer and sickle symbol. The coat of arms features a shield with a map of the islands, surrounded by a wreath and topped with a star.

### Administrative Divisions and Governance
Brava is part of Cape Verde’s 22 municipalities, which are further subdivided into parishes. The capital, Praia, is located on the island of Santiago and serves as the political and economic center of the country. Each municipality has its own local government and administrative structure. The country’s administrative divisions reflect its island geography, with each island having its own distinct local governance.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Brava uses the .cv top-level internet domain and has an international calling code of +238. The country’s ISO codes are CV (Alpha-2), CPV (Alpha-3), and 132 (Numeric). The M49 code is 132. The maritime identification digits are 617, and the mobile country code is 625. The aircraft registration prefix is CV, and the licence plate code is CV. The emergency numbers are 130 for medical services, 131 for the fire department, and 132 for the police. The country’s timezone is Cape Verde Time (UTC−01:00). The electricity supply is 220 volts at 50 Hz, with plug types including Europlug and Type L.

### Related Entities
Brava is related to the broader concept of an island, which is a piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water. It is also connected to Nova Sintra, a human settlement in Cape Verde. The island is part of the Sotavento Islands, the southern island group of Cape Verde archipelago, and contains the Sotavento Islands as a subsidiary.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://ine.cv/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/statistical-yearbook-cv-2015_en.pdf)