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This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006


Map of Cape Verde



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Cape Verde Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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    Cape Verde Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Political Map of the World
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 4,033 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
965 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 11.41%
permanent crops: 0.74%
other: 87.85% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
   People    Cape Verde Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
420,979 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
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) (2006 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 19.8 years
male: 19 years
female: 20.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.64% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24.87 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
-11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 46.52 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 51.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 70.73 years
male: 67.41 years
female: 74.15 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.38 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.035% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
775 (2001)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
225 (as of 2001)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.6%
male: 85.8%
female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
   Government    Cape Verde Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Praia
geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W
time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
derived from the legal system of Portugal
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
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 February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, ADM 2
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO, president]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general: Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Roger D. PIERCE
embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 261 56 16, 261 56 17
FAX: [238] 261 13 55
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
   Economy    Cape Verde Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
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 66% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing accounted for 1.5%. 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2.99 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$1.128 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$6,200 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 21.9%
services: 66% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
21% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
30% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.4% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $328.1 million
expenditures: $393.1 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
44.15 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
41.06 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,200 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-$82 million (2005 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$73.35 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Spain 40.3%, Portugal 35.1%, US 9.7% (2005)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$500 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Portugal 41.2%, Italy 7.9%, Netherlands 7%, Spain 5.4%, France 4.7%, Belgium 4.6%, Brazil 4.3% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$150 million (2005 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$325 million (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$136 million (1999)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004), 97.703 (2003), 117.168 (2002), 123.228 (2001)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Cape Verde Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
71,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
81,700 (2005)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995
domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998
international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 0, FM 22 (and 12 low power repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.cv
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
155 (2005)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
25,000 (2005)
   Transportation    Cape Verde Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,350 km
paved: 932 km
unpaved: 418 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 6 ships (1000 GRT or over) 10,719 GRT/7,482 DWT
by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 3
foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2005)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
   Military    Cape Verde Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 84,641
females age 18-49: 87,310 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 65,614
females age 18-49: 73,662 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$7.18 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.7% (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Cape Verde Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006


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