Salinas da Pedra de Lume, Cape Verde
Posted by: 
btrodrigues
N 16° 46.249 W 022° 53.885
27Q E 297686 N 1855169
This is a naturally occuring salt pan in the crater of an extinct volcano in Cape Verde which doubles as a touristic attraction. It opened on 1805.
Waymark Code: WMCMAJ
Location: Cabo Verde
Date Posted: 09/20/2011
Views: 15
The importance of salt in this particular island is undeniable. The Island of Sal was discovered on December 3, 1460 and named Llana before being renamed after the salt. The volcano where the salt pan is located has not erupted in known history but was responsible for creating the island originally, 50 million years ago. The bottom of the extinct volcano formed a natural shallow basin and since it is located below the sea level, salt water reaches it naturally without the assistance of any pumps, lying in the pans and evaporating in the tropical sun.
The salt is harvested and packaged at the small factory by the entrance before being carried away on an ancient tractor and trailer, out through the tunnel and down to the village and roads to the rest of the island.
There is an entrance fee to get inside the premises and it is possible to bathe/swim in some of the extremely salty water pans.
Kind: Salt Pan
Is the place still active?: yes
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