Area Code 223 – Paúl, Santo Antão

Geographic Overview

The +238 223 numbering range is a geographic allocation within the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), specifically designated for the municipality of Paúl on the island of Santo Antão. Santo Antão is the westernmost island of the Barlavento group, renowned for its dramatic volcanic peaks, deep valleys, and rugged hiking trails. Paúl, one of the island's three municipalities (alongside Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande), is situated on the northeastern coast and includes the main town of Pombas. This area code serves fixed-line PSTN services within this administrative district.

Dialing Formats

When calling a Paúl fixed-line number from abroad, the international format is +238 223 XXXX, where XXXX represents the four-digit subscriber number. The total number length after the country code is seven digits, with the first three (223) being the national destination code (NDC) and the remaining four being the local extension. For domestic calls within Cape Verde, callers must dial the full seven-digit number (223 XXXX) even when calling from a different island or from a mobile phone. There is no trunk prefix (such as '0') used in Cape Verde; the country code +238 is always required for international calls.

Caller Instructions

• International callers: Dial your international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or +), then 238, followed by 223 and the four-digit subscriber number. Example: +238 223 1234.
• Domestic callers: Simply dial 223 1234 (seven digits) from any phone in Cape Verde, whether fixed or mobile.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Cabo Verde's numbering plan is administered by the National Communications Agency (ANAC). Geographic codes are assigned per island and municipality, and there are no overlay codes in effect; each geographic area retains its unique NDC. The 223 prefix is exclusively for fixed-line services; mobile numbers in Cape Verde use distinct prefixes such as 98, 99, 91, etc. Number portability is available for mobile services, but fixed-line portability is limited; therefore, a number starting with 223 generally remains associated with Paúl.

Practical Usage

Businesses and residents in Paúl rely on this prefix for landline communications, including internet via DSL or fiber where available. Tourists and hikers visiting the area may need to contact local guesthouses or guides using these numbers. For travelers, it is advisable to store numbers in international format (+238 223 XXXX) to ensure connectivity from abroad. The cost of calling this prefix varies by operator; international rates are typically higher than domestic rates. As Cape Verde continues to modernize its telecom infrastructure, VoIP and mobile services are expanding, but the 223 geographic prefix remains a stable identifier for Paúl.