Area Code 221 – Ribeira Grande, Santo Antão

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 221 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the municipality of Ribeira Grande, located on the northeastern coast of Santo Antão Island in Cape Verde. Santo Antão is part of the Barlavento island group, and Ribeira Grande serves as the island's administrative and economic hub. The municipality encompasses the city of Ribeira Grande (also known as Ponto Alto) and several surrounding villages, including Coculi, Eito, and Lombo Branco. This code is used exclusively for fixed-line (PSTN) services within this area.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

To call a fixed-line number in Ribeira Grande from abroad, dial the international prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries), followed by Cape Verde's country calling code +238, then the area code 221, and the subscriber's 4-digit local number. The complete international format is +238 221 XXXX, where XXXX represents the local line number. For example, a call to a subscriber with local number 1234 would be dialed as +238 221 1234.

Domestic callers from other regions of Cape Verde (outside Santo Antão) must dial 221 followed by the 4-digit subscriber number, without the country code. Local calls within Ribeira Grande may be made using only the 4-digit subscriber number, depending on the operator's dialing plan. However, due to the small size of the local network, it is advisable to confirm with the local service provider.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Cape Verde's national numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The country uses a closed dialing plan for fixed and mobile services, with all national numbers having 7 digits after the country code. The area code 221 is part of the geographic numbering scheme, and no overlay codes have been introduced for Ribeira Grande. As of the latest ITU-T operational bulletin, the number range 221-0XXX to 221-9XXX is allocated for fixed-line services in this region.

For callers within Cape Verde, it is important to note that mobile numbers begin with '9' or '5' and are non-geographic. Therefore, dialing a fixed number in Ribeira Grande requires the 221 prefix. International callers should be aware that Cape Verde uses a single country code, and no additional trunk prefix is required when dialing from abroad.

Practical Usage and Network Infrastructure

The fixed-line network in Ribeira Grande is operated primarily by Cabo Verde Telecom (CVMóvel), the incumbent operator. The infrastructure supports traditional PSTN services, and in recent years, VoIP and fiber-optic broadband have been deployed, but the 221 code remains associated with geographic fixed lines. When calling from a mobile phone within Cape Verde, the full 7-digit national number (including the 221 code) must be dialed. For international callers, using the +238 country code ensures proper routing through the international gateway.