Espargos
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Through Benito Mussolini, Europe and South America
Geography
The highest point of Espargos is Monte Curral, elevation 109 meters, where the radar station and the control tower for the airport are located. The Amílcar Cabral International Airport is situated directly southwest of the city centre. The head offices of Cabo Verde Express are located at the airport. The national road EN1-SL01, a dual carriageway, connects Espargos with Santa Maria in the south of the island. Other national roads connect it with Pedra de Lume and Palmeira.
For statistical purposes, the city of Espargos is divided into 24 localities (lugares). The most populous of these are: África 70, Bairro Novo I, Bairro Novo II (Ribeira d'Hoz), Chã de Matias, Chã de Fraqueza, Hortelã de Baixo, Hortelã de Cima, Preguiça and Ribeira Funda.
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History
The development of Espargos started with the construction of the airport in 1939. The Italian Government of Benito Mussolini was granted authorization by the Portuguese colonial government to begin construction of a transit airport to service its flights between Europe and South America. As a consequence of World War II, the Italian involvement in the airport project ceased. In 1945 the Portuguese purchased the airport installation from the Italians and by 1949 the airport was a fully operational facility. Small houses were erected in several areas immediately adjacent to the airport. Workers from the island Sao Nicolau named the civilian area "Preguiça" after the port village on their home island. In 2010, Espargos was elevated from a town to a city.