Cape Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an island country spanning an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. Sal is home to some of the best beaches in Cape Verde, and Santa Maria is where you’ll find clean white sands stretching off to the horizon in either direction. The island is 35 km long by 12 km wide, so you can explore it even during one day. It’s name translated from Portuguese means literally salt and comes from the mines at Pedra de Lume.