Area Code 237 – Fajã, São Nicolau

Geographic Overview

The area code 237 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the island of São Nicolau in the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), specifically serving the locality of Fajã and its surrounding areas. São Nicolau is one of the Barlavento (windward) islands, located in the northern group of the archipelago. The code covers the entire island, including the main town of Ribeira Brava and other settlements such as Carvoeiros, Preguiça, and Fajã de Baixo. As a geographic code, it is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, and calls to this code are routed to physical telephone lines within the island's exchange areas.

Dialing Formats

When calling a number in Fajã, São Nicolau from abroad, the international format is +238 237 XXX XXX, where +238 is the country calling code for Cape Verde, 237 is the area code, and the subscriber number typically consists of 7 digits (starting with the area code). For example, a local number might be +238 237 1234 (if the subscriber number is 4 digits after the area code) or +238 237 123 456 (if the subscriber number is 6 digits). In practice, Cape Verdean fixed-line numbers are 7 digits long, including the area code, so the full national significant number (NSN) is 7 digits. Thus, a typical number would be +238 237 XXXX (where XXXX is the 4-digit subscriber number).

For local callers within Cape Verde, the area code is dialed as part of the national number: 237 XXXX. If you are calling from another island or from a mobile phone, you must include the area code. If you are calling from a landline within the same area code, you may be able to dial just the subscriber number, but it is safer to include the area code.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Cape Verde's national numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The country code +238 is used for all international calls. There are no overlay codes in Cape Verde; each geographic area has a unique area code. The area code 237 is exclusively for São Nicolau. Mobile numbers in Cape Verde do not use geographic area codes; they have their own prefixes (e.g., 90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 98, 99) and are non-geographic. Therefore, when dialing a mobile number from abroad, you would dial +238 followed by the mobile prefix and subscriber number, without the 237 code.

Caller Instructions

• International callers: Dial your international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries), then 238, then 237, then the local subscriber number. Example: 00 238 237 1234 (or +238 237 1234 from a mobile phone).
• Local callers (within Cape Verde): Dial 237 followed by the subscriber number. Example: 237 1234.
• Callers from a mobile phone in Cape Verde: Dial the full national number, i.e., 237 1234.

Always verify the exact number of digits with your contact, as the subscriber number length may vary. For any issues, contact your telecom provider.