São Filipe
Fogo's volcanic capital producing Cabo Verde's only wine from caldera vineyards despite 2014 eruption devastation.
São Filipe is Fogo's principal municipality—home to the island's capital and the gateway to Pico do Fogo, Cabo Verde's highest peak and only active volcano (last eruption 2014). This volcanic character defines the island's identity and creates unique agricultural and tourism opportunities.
Wine production distinguishes Fogo from other islands. Volcanic soils in the Chã das Caldeiras caldera support vineyards producing the archipelago's only wine. Coffee cultivation adds to distinctive agricultural output. These specialty products command premium prices and attract visitors seeking authentic experiences.
The 2014 eruption destroyed villages within the caldera, displacing residents who have since partially rebuilt despite ongoing volcanic risk. This tension between agricultural opportunity (fertile volcanic soils) and natural hazard defines Fogo's development trajectory.
The biological pattern is risk-reward colonization: São Filipe's population exploits volcanic fertility while accepting periodic destruction—a strategy that generates distinctive products but prevents large-scale investment.