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Sal Island History

The history of Sal Island, where Santa Maria Beach is located, is closely tied to the history of Cape Verde as a whole. Here is a brief overview of the island's history:

• Pre-colonial history: Like much of the Cape Verde archipelago, Sal Island was likely uninhabited before the arrival of humans. It's believed that the island was first settled by people from the nearby West African coast, who arrived around the 15th century.
• Portuguese colonization: In the 15th century, the Portuguese began exploring and colonizing the Cape Verde islands. Sal Island was named for the salt mines that were discovered on the island, which became an important export for the Portuguese. The island was also used as a base for the transatlantic slave trade.