| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Western Africa |
| Geographical Location |
16° 00' North Latitude
24° 00' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
4,033 sq km |
| Climate |
Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic |
| Natural Resources |
Salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum |
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| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Republic of Cape Verde |
| Capital City |
Praia |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
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 |
| Independence Day |
5 July 1975 (from Portugal) |
|
| Demographical Information |
|
|
| Population |
418,224 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Cape Verdean |
| Ethnic Groups |
Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) |
| Languages |
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) |
| Population Growth Rate |
0.67% (2005 est.) |
|
| Economical Information |
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|
| Currency |
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) |
| Industries |
Food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair |
| Labor Force |
NA |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
- |
| Agriculture Products |
Bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides |
| Export Partners |
Portugal 62.5%, US 15.8%, UK 11.3% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels |
| Import Partners |
Portugal 43.2%, US 12.5%, Netherlands 8.7% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
|
|
| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
1,100 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
7 (2004 est.)
Note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational |
| Ports and Harbors |
Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal |
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| Communication |
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|
| Phone Code |
+238 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.cv |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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. |
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