Country data
Location: West Africa
Time zone: CET – 2 (during summer time: CET – 3)
Total area: 4,033 km²
Land area: 4,033 km²
Water area: 0 km²
Length of the state border: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Capital: Praia
Districts: 22
Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Lourenco dos Orgaos, Sao Miguel, Sao Salvador do Mundo, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau
Telephone code: 00 238 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Mount Fogo 2,829 m
Population
Population: approx. 540,000 residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.4% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 134
Life expectancy: 69 (male), 74 (female)
Official language: Portuguese
Religions:
- 77% Roman Catholic
- 4% Protestants
- 2% Muslim
- 17% other
Climate
The weather dominated by northeast trade winds, which brings dry and hot air, lies in the transition between the subtropical to the tropical climate.
It’s very hot all year round. The temperatures often rise up to 35 ° C.
The rainy season, with irregular heavy rains, lasts from August to October.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Cape Verde Escudo (CVE)
Classification: 1 Cape Verde Escudo = 100 Centavos
ATMs: not available
International credit cards: Only in the larger hotels on the island of Sal
Regulations: The national currency may not be imported or exported.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is only allowed in the amount of the declared import.
US dollars and euros are best exchanged in small denominations.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Travel advice
In many areas, the infrastructure is not necessarily geared towards tourists.
In particular, the flight and ship connections between the inhabited islands are unreliable and do not necessarily take place at the specified times.
Furthermore, emergency medical care is not guaranteed on all islands.
Behavioral advice
To avoid accidents and robberies, you should be accompanied by a local guide on mountain hikes.
Economy
Since the country has hardly any raw materials worth mentioning and there is even a shortage of fresh water, there is almost no industry.
Beans, potatoes, corn and tropical fruits are grown on small plantations.
Fishing generates more than half of all export revenues.
Industries: fishing, food production, salt mining, shipbuilding
Natural resources: fish, limestone, salt
Land use:
- Usable land: 11%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 6%
- Forests: 0%
- other: 83%
Plants
Most of the areas are characterized by steppes with isolated bushes and grasses.
Stately reforestation programs (acacias, eucalyptus trees) are intended to halt further decay of the vegetation.
Animals
The few native animal species consist of small rodents, sea turtles and many different species of birds.
In contrast, marine animals are particularly rich in species. These include sharks, rays, tuna and many different colorful fish that invite you to dive.