northwesternmost island of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles (640 km) off the western African coast. It has an area of 301 square miles (779 square km) and rises to Tope de Coroa (6,491 feet 【1,979 m】). Coffee, bananas, oranges, sugarcane, tobacco, and cinchona are cultivated on the island, and livestock are raised. Ribeira Grande, on the northeast shore, is the chief town. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 43,272.