Area Code 230 – Mindelo, São Vicente

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The country calling code +238 is assigned to the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), an island nation located off the northwest coast of Africa. Within this national numbering plan, the prefix 230 serves as a Geographic Area Code dedicated to the island of São Vicente and, specifically, its principal city Mindelo. Mindelo is the second-largest city in Cape Verde and functions as a major cultural and economic hub, particularly known for its port, music scene, and tourism. The geographic scope of this code encompasses the entire island, including the capital of São Vicente, Mindelo, and its surrounding settlements.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

Numbers assigned under the 230 prefix follow the standard Cape Verdean numbering plan, which uses a total of seven digits for all national subscriber numbers. The structure is: 230 XXXX, where the first three digits (230) represent the area code and the remaining four digits (XXXX) are the subscriber's unique line number. When dialing locally within São Vicente, callers can typically omit the area code and dial only the four-digit subscriber number. However, for calls originating from other islands within Cape Verde, the full seven-digit number (including the 230 prefix) must be dialed. For international callers, the format is +238 230 XXXX, where the plus sign indicates the international access prefix, followed by the country code 238, the area code 230, and the subscriber number. It is essential to note that Cape Verde does not use trunk prefixes like '0' for domestic long-distance dialing; the area code is always included in the national dialing sequence for calls between different islands.

Caller Instructions and Overlay Considerations

For local callers within São Vicente, dialing a number in the same area code may be possible using just the four-digit extension, but for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full seven-digit number. For callers from other countries, the international dialing sequence is: your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries) followed by 238 and then the 230 area code and the subscriber number. As of the latest ITU-T recommendations, Cape Verde has not implemented any overlay codes for São Vicente; the 230 prefix remains the sole geographic code for the island. However, with the growing demand for telecommunication services, the national regulatory authority (Agência Nacional de Comunicações - ANAC) may introduce additional numbering resources in the future. Always verify the current dialing instructions with your service provider if you encounter issues.