World Facts Index
 The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde
subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and
resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and
a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established
and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to
exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the
second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration.
As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most
Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
Geography of Cape Verde
|
Location:
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Western Africa, group of
islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal |
|
Coordinates:
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16 00 N, 24 00 W |
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Area:
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total: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
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slightly larger than Rhode
Island |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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965 km |
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Maritime claims:
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measured from claimed
archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM |
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Climate:
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temperate; warm, dry
summer; precipitation meager and very erratic |
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Terrain:
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steep, rugged, rocky,
volcanic |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) |
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Natural resources:
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salt, basalt rock,
limestone, kaolin, fish |
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Natural hazards:
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prolonged droughts;
seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and
seismically active |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil erosion; demand for
wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification;
environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and
reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location 500 km
from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important
communications station; important sea and air refueling site
|
Population of Cape Verde
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Population:
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426,998 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 37.9% (male 80,594/female 79,126)
15-64 years: 55.3% (male 113,450/female 119,423)
65 years and over: 6.7% (male 10,542/female 17,844) |
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Median age:
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19.8 years |
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Growth rate:
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0.64% |
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Infant mortality:
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46.52 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 70.73 years
male: 67.41 years
female: 74.15 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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3.38 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean |
|
Ethnic groups:
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Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European
1% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous
beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) |
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Languages:
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Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese
and West African words) |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total : 76.6%
male: 85.8%
female: 69.2%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of
Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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Praia |
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Administrative divisions:
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17 municipalities (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande,
Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao
Vicente, Tarrafal |
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Independence:
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5 July 1975 (from Portugal) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 5 July (1975) |
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Constitution:
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new constitution came into force 25
September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing
the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of
national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) |
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Legal system:
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derived from the legal system of Portugal |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Pedro Verona PIRES
(since 22 March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February
2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation
of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for
a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February
2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the
president
|
|
Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo
Tribunal de Justia |
Economy
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including
serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The
economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public
services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the
population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low.
About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and
tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit,
financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement
GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private
sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future
prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of
tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development
program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.
|
GDP:
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$1.603 billion (2007 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
|
5.5% |
|
GDP per capita:
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$3,200 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 21.9%
services: 66% |
|
Inflation rate:
|
0.4% |
|
Unemployment:
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21% (2000 est.) |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $328.1 million
expenditures: $393.1 million |
|
Electricity production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% |
|
Industries:
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food and beverages, fish processing, shoes
and garments, salt mining, ship repair |
|
Agriculture:
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bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes,
sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish |
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Exports:
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fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides |
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Export partners:
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Spain 38.3%, Portugal 35.3%, US 9.2% |
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Imports:
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foodstuffs, industrial products, transport
equipment, fuels |
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Import partners:
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Portugal 40.6%, Italy 8.4%, Netherlands 6.8%, Spain 5.4%,
Belgium 4.9%, France 4.7%, Brazil 4.4% |
|
Currency:
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Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |