Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
The Portuguese discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands of Cabo Verde in the 15th century; Cabo Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. The fusing of European and various African cultural traditions is reflected in Cabo Verde’s Crioulo language, music, and pano textiles. After gaining independence in 1975, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990.
- Capital
- Praia
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- Population
- 611,014
- Area
- 4,033 sq km
- Location
- Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
- Climate
- temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
- Natural resources
- salt; basalt rock; limestone; kaolin; fish; clay…
- Languages
- Portuguese (official); Crioulo (a Portuguese-based creole language with two main dialects)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 72.5%; Protestant 4% (includes Adventist 1.9%; Nazarene 1.8%; Assembly of God 0.2%…
- Independence
- 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
- Administrative divisions
- 22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira…
- Currency
- Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE)
- Export partners
- Spain 46%; Portugal 9%; Togo 7%; Italy 7%…
- Import partners
- Portugal 29%; Saudi Arabia 11%; Netherlands 9%; Spain 8%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain