Portuguese is a global language, spoken by more than 260 million people, equivalent to 3.7% of the world’s population. As a way to celebrate World Portuguese Language Day, we set out on a virtual journey through the places of paradise where Portuguese is the official language. It was a very difficult choice and we are, as always, open to your suggestions in the comments space.
Bazaruto, Mozambique
Palm trees, clear sea and deserted beaches. Bazaruto is a paradise off Mozambique. The archipelago of six islands is designated a national park and is protected by the World Wildlife Fund and the Mozambican government. Photo: Dr.
The Bijagós Archipelago is part of Guinea-Bissau and consists of 88 islands off the African coast, forming a protected area, classified by UNESCO in 1996 as a Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Pinterest
Boa Vista is an island in the Parlaviento Group in Cape Verde. Of all the ten islands in the archipelago, it is the easternmost, only 455 kilometers from the African coast. With golden dunes and blue sea, this beach stretches five kilometers from the sand. Photo: Serenity Holidays / Doctor / Flickr
“data-title =” Praia de Chave, Boa Vista, Cape Verde – Nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
Caoutinha Beach, Benguela, Angola
Praia da Caoutinha is one of the most beautiful districts in Benguela, a county with a beautiful coastline. With clear waters and cliffs, it is a small beach about 100 meters long, and can be reached via Morro da Cauta. Photo: Dr.
“data-title =” Praia da Caoutinaha, Benguela, Angola – Nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
Bioco, tropical guine
Bioco is the main island in Equatorial Guinea. Its landscape is dominated by two volcanoes: in the center of the island, Basile Pico, whose height is more than 3000 meters; To the south, Sao Carlos volcano, above 2,200 meters. The waterfall in the photo is part of Santo António de Ureca, one of the rainiest regions in Africa. Photo: Jose Cosme / DR / Flickr
Ilha Grande is part of an archipelago of 187 islands and islets, located in Ilha Grande Bay, the west coast of Rio de Janeiro, an area also known as the Costa Verde. The Atlantic jungle, beaches as far as the eye can see and untouched bays are part of this idyllic setting. Credits: Unsplash
“data-title =” Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
Ilho do Jaco, Timor-Leste
It is located in the easternmost part of the island of Timor, at Kap Cutcha. The natives consider it sacred, which makes overnight stays on the island forbidden, only a day visit. The pristine beaches and rich marine life make this place more than a special place. Photo: Pinterest
“data-title =” Ilhéu do Jaco, Timor-Leste – Nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
Principe Island, Sao Tome and Principe
Principe is the first World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in the São Tomé Archipelago and became the first African reserve to integrate the global coastal biosphere network. Pictured is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches – Praia das Bananas is located in the north of the island between Mosteiros and Praia das Burras. Photo: André Pipa / DR / Flickr
“data-title =” The island of Principe and Sao Tome and Principe – nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
Flores Island, Azores, Portugal
The island of Flores is located in the western group of the Azores archipelago, on the North American Plate, and is the largest of the islands that make up this group. It is also considered one of the most beautiful of the Azores. Photo: Unsplash
“data-title =” Ilha das Flores, Azores, Portugal – Nine Portuguese-speaking sanctuaries – SAPO Viagens “>
World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated in 44 countries
Celebrations of World Portuguese Language Day are taking place in 44 countries, with more than 150 activities, in mixed format, in person and virtual, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lusa is progressing.
The program, coordinated by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, is considering initiatives to take place in all regions of the world and cover geography, research, translation, contact with other arts and population mobilization.
The agenda includes conferences, seminars, concerts, literary and poetry competitions, and academic initiatives.
The date was set at a formal session in Lisbon, with the participation of the President of Portuguese Diplomacy, Augusto Santos Silva, and the Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Francisco Ribeiro Teles.
During this session, video messages will be transmitted from the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, from Cape Verde’s President Jorge Carlos Fonseca – the current head of the CPLP – and from the Portuguese head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. .
Angolan writer Pepetela’s dstangola / Camões Literary Prize, which features his most recent work “Happiness, from Corpo Presente” is also planned.
About the International Day of the Portuguese Language
Portuguese is the official language of the nine member states of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor) and Macau, as well as as a working or official language of a number of international organizations such as the European Union, the African Union or Mercosur.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared, in November 2019, May 5 as World Portuguese Language Day, at the suggestion of all Portuguese-speaking countries with the support of 24 other countries, including countries such as Argentina, Chile, Georgia, Luxembourg or Uruguay. This is the second year that World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated.