
Cape Verde Guide
Cape Verde – information about the country
Country name | Cape Verde |
Official name | Republic of Cape Verde |
Capital | Beach |
Continent | Africa |
Area | 4,033 km2 |
Population | 491,875 (2010) |
Foundation of a state | 7/5/1975 |
The highest mountains | Pico de Cano 2829 m (Fogo) |
State system | a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Praia (capital) 73,000, Mindelo 55,000 |
Official language | Portuguese |
Ethnicity/National Composition | mixed race 71%, black 28%, European 1% |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 93.5%, others 6.5% |
Currency | 1 Cape Verde Escudo (CV Esc.) = 100 centavos |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$4,368 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 70.73 years (2006) |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Cape Verde consists of two island groups (Leeward and Windward Islands) about 600 km off the coast of Senegal (Cape Verde).
Natural conditions of Cape Verde
All the islands are of volcanic origin with steep rocky coasts, formed by high mountains that have been worked into wild shapes by erosion and wind-driven sand. There is an active volcano on Fogo Island. The climate is consistently warm, but very dry, influenced by the trade winds.
There are no sources of fresh water on the islands. Mists from sea water provide moisture for agriculture.
People and history
Cape Verde was settled by the Portuguese after 1460. It became a center for the slave trade and, in the 19th century, an important base for transport across the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of the population are mulattoes, a mixture of African slaves and Portuguese, and speak the Creole dialect Crioulo. In 1551, Cape Verde became an overseas province of Portugal and in 1975 it gained independence under the leadership of President Aristide Pereira (born 1924). Attempts to connect with Guinea-Bissau failed. In 1990, the ruling party was defeated in the first multi-party elections.
Cape Verde economy
Agriculture suffers from a lack of water and produces mainly sugar cane, bananas and other fruits, vegetables, coconuts and sweet potatoes. The main export items are bananas, tuna and lobsters. The industry processes fish, produces cigarettes and alcohol. Salt is mined. Cement is made from volcanic material.
Cape Verde is an air (Sal International Airport), sea and cable hub. Health and social care are limited. Education is free, but there are few job opportunities. Many islanders migrate for work.
Cape Verde (Republic of the Cape Verde) is a state in the Atlantic Ocean (620 km from the west coast of Africa).
The climate is dry tropical, the temperature is + 25 * C all year round, there is little rainfall.
Tourism is the main source of income for the republic. The flow of tourists to the country is increasing every year.
Resorts and attractions of Cape Verde
Since there are a large number of rubble uplands in the territory of the Cape Verde Islands, this territory is sometimes called the land of lunar landscapes. Flying up to the islands, you will immediately notice the stunning contrast that the azure-blue sea creates, crashing against the sun-drenched rocks.
The archipelago, called Cape Verde, is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 600 km west of the coast of Africa (from Senegal). It consists of 15 islands with a mountainous terrain, some of the islands are difficult to access. Each island has its own unique nature. In general, the country has a mild tropical climate with continuous winds. The coastal area near many islands is huge beaches.
Interesting facts
Cape Verde Islands is an archipelago of 10 large and 8 small islands in the central part of the Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 1460.
The average life expectancy of the inhabitants of the island is 70 years.
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.