Maio provides a landscape of vast empty beaches. Although it was created by a volcano little evidence of it's volcanic past remains today. It is a very flat island unlike the other more mountainous island. It has a vast array of beautiful white-sanded beaches.

Maio is the southernmost of the three flat and sandy islands. I have never been there myself, but from what I have heard, it is an extremely quiet and friendly place. The island has recently attracted a considerable number of migrants from Santiago, contributing to a steady population growth.

MAIO belongs to the leeward group and is located south of the isíand of BOAVISTA and about 25 km east of SANTIAGO.

It has a surface area of 268 km2, the longest point, in a north-south direction being 24 km and the widest point, in an east-west direction is 16 km.

The island is on the whole fairly flat, the highest point, in the middle, is Monte Penoso, with an altitude of 436 m.

The valleys are arid and dry and not very deep. Although the island is volcanic in origin, there are few signs to show it.

The climate is very dry and the land is essentially calcium based s rock. There is little irrigated land. Eventhough the climate is not particularly favourable, the island does in fact have the biggest forest park in Cape Verde. The Northern region has been well eroded by the rough seas and the strong Northeast winds. Along the coast there are numerous and very beautiful beaches of fine golden sand.