Mindelo, a city in S√£o Vicente Island, is the largest port in the archipelago of Cape Verde. Its harbor has been used as a major refueling station since the 19th century. However, it has lost its importance for transatlantic navigation due to the shift from coal to oil, the rise of competing ports, and the lack of investment in infrastructure.
In the late 19th century up to the mid 20th century, the city became the most culturally renowned island and, together with Santiago, the cultural capital of Cape Verde. Mindelo is especially known for its colorful and joyful carnival celebrations, rooting in Portuguese and Brazilian traditions.