SAO VICENTE ISLAND

Portuguese Ilha de So Vicente, English Saint Vincent Island island of Cape Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Santo Anto and Santa Luzia, about 400 miles (640 km) off the western African coast. It has an area of 88 square miles (227 square km) and rises to Monte Verde (2,539 feet ). The main economic activities are subsistence agriculture (corn , beans, potatoes) and fishing. An oil refinery was built on the island in 1975. The chief city, Mindelo (q.v.), on the northwest shore, is Cape Verde's most important port. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 51,257.