before the arrival of europeans, the cape verde islands were uninhabited. they were discovered by genoese and portuguese navigators around 1456. according to portuguese official records, the first discoveries were made by genoa-born antónio de noli, who was afterwards appointed governor of cape verde by portuguese king afonso v. other navigators mentioned as contributing to discoveries in the cape verde archipelago are diogo gomes (who was with antónio de noli and claimed to have been the first to land on and name santiago island), diogo dias, diogo afonso and the italian (venice-born) alvise cadamosto.