Sotavento Islands

islands, Cabo Verde

Also known as: Ilhas do Sotavento, Leeward Islands

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Also called:: Leeward Islands

Portuguese:: Ilhas do Sotavento

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Sotavento Islands, island group in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of western Africa and the southern of two island groups that constitute Cabo Verde. The archipelago consists of the islands of Brava, Fogo, Maio, and Santiago, as well as the islets of Grande, Luís Carneiro, and Cima, together known as the Rombos. The islands are of volcanic origin and have a tropical climate. Precipitation is scarce, and drought is a persistent problem.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.