Cape Verde when Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands, establishing the first European settlement in the tropics. Ideally located for the Atlantic slave trade, the islands grew prosperous throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, attracting merchants, privateers, and pirates. The end of slavery in the 19th century led to economic decline and emigration. Cape Verde gradually recovered as an important commercial center and stopover for shipping routes. Incorporated as an overseas department of Portugal in 1951, the islands continued to campaign for independence, which was peacefully achieved in 1975. Since the early 1990s, Cape Verde has been a stable representative democracy,
Sport in Cape Verde held after independence. ADESBA is the only champion to compete at the continental level in 2015. Volleyball is another sport in Cape Verde. Futsal, a sport originated in Brazil has increasing in popularity in Cape Verde. A small golf course is located about 3 km south of Mindelo in the island of São Vicente and was the first of its kind in Cape Verde. More golf courses are planned especially in the Island of Sal and probably near Salamansa. Surfing is not done in Cape Verde. Other related sports such as kite and wind surfing are common in Cape Verde.