Cabo Verde

Republic of Cape VerdeRepublica de Cabo Verde

republicIndependence 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Cabo Verde as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 126 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPraia, UTC-1
Position16 00 N, 24 00 W
Area4,033 sq km
LocationWestern Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
2008

Every edition of Cabo Verde

Populationas each edition published it
426,998 people July 2008 est. · 374,984 in 1990
Population growth% a year
0.595% 2008 est. · 3.03% in 1993
Median ageyears
20.6 years 2008 est. · 18.7 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
71.33 years 2008 est. · 62.18 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
3.17 children per woman 2008 est. · 6.7 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
42.55 deaths per 1,000 live births 2008 est. · 65 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$3,200 2007 est. · $800 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
6.9% 2007 est. · 4% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

20 fields

Land useshare of 4,033 sq km

arable land 11.41%permanent crops 0.74%other 87.85% (2005)irrigated 30 sq km (2003)
Area
4,033sq km
land: 4,033 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly larger than Rhode Island
Coastline
965km
land boundaries: 0 kmMaritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselinesterritorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
2,829m
Mt. Fogo · (a volcano on Fogo Island)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Location

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

Map references

Political Map of the World

Climate

  • temperate;
  • warm, dry summer;
  • precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Natural resources

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:
0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)
per capita:
39 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

  • prolonged droughts;
  • seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust;
  • volcanically and seismically active

Environment - current issues

  • soil erosion;
  • deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel;
  • water shortages;
  • desertification;
  • environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles;
  • illegal beach sand extraction;
  • overfishing

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

  • 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

21 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)

10,226
65 and over6.5%
17,533
120,208
15-6457.4%
125,009
77,533
0-1436.1%
76,489
MaleFemale
Population
426,998
(July 2008 est.)growth rate: 0.595% (2008 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)

Birth
23.95Death
6.26Net migration
-11.74

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2008 est.)71.33
67.99 · 74.76Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)42.55
48.66 · 36.25Literacy (2003 est.)76.6%
85.8% · 69.2%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2008 est.)20.6
19.9 · 21.5School life expectancy years (2006)12
11 · 12
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Creole (mulatto) 71%African 28%European 1%

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.58 male(s)/female
total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.17 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

225 (as of 2001)

Nationality

noun:
Cape Verdean(s)
adjective:
Cape Verdean

Religions

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Languages

Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Education expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2006)

Government

Republic; President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22 March 2001); Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

51.2%
Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011)

National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional, 72 seats, elected 22 January 2006one dot, one seat

PAICV 41MPD 29UCID 2

Percent of vote

PAICV 52.3%MPD 44%UCID 2.7%

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form:
Cape Verde
local long form:
Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form:
Cabo Verde

Capital

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

  • 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

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution

  • 25 September 1992;
  • a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president;
  • a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

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 in 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

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, UCID 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Political parties and leaders

  • 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];
  • Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO];
  • Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO];
  • Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES];
  • Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO];
  • Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES];
  • Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: environmentalists; political pressure groups

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA
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

chief of mission:
Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES
embassy:
Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia
mailing address:
C. P. 201, Praia
telephone:
[238] 2-60-89-00
FAX:
[238] 2-61-13-55

Flag description

  • five unequal horizontal bands;
  • the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width;
  • a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side

Economy

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought.

45 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$1.603billion
(2007 est.)official exchange rate: $1.428 billion (2007 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,200
(2007 est.)
Real growth rate
6.9%
(2007 est.)industrial production growth: 7.5% (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2007 est.)

agriculture 9.3%industry 16.7%services 74% (2007 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

29.9%
Portugal
40.7%
37.2%
Spain
5.6%
Netherlands
10.9%
7%
Morocco
6.6%
US
France
6.5%
Cote d'Ivoire
4.9%
Brazil
4.7%
Italy
4.7%
Exports $76.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)Imports $743.6 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)(2007)

Budget

Revenues
$436.1 millionExpenditures
$449.7 million (2007 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production
47 million (2006 est.)Electricity consumption
43.71 million (2006 est.)

Economy - overview

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 about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low.

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. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

Labor force

120,600 (1990)

Unemployment rate

21% (2000 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

37% of GDP (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.55% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$574 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$689 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.049 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish

Industries

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,117 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

1,785 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance

-$132.6 million (2007 est.)

Exports

$76.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Imports

$743.6 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$398 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external

$325 million (2002)

Currency (code)

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Exchange rates

Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004), 97.703 (2003)

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
148,000
(2007)
Fixed lines
71,600
(2006) · country code .cv

Telephone system

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;
  • broadband services launched in 2004
international:
  • country code - 238;
  • landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe;
  • HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau;
  • satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001)

Internet users

37,000 (2007)

Transportation

5 fields

Merchant marine, 8 ships by typeone square, one ship

cargo 2chemical tanker 1passenger/cargo 5foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m
11,524 to 2,437 m
2914 to 1,523 m
4under 914 m
1

Airports

8 (2007)

Roadways

total:
1,350 km
paved:
932 km
unpaved:
418 km (2000)

Military

People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007)

6 fields
Military expenditures
0.7%of GDP
(2005)

Military branches

People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49:
103,650
females age 16-49:
103,553 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
83,082
females age 16-49:
88,832 (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Illicit drugs

  • used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe;
  • the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Central Intelligence Agency. “Cape Verde.” The World Factbook 2008. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cabo-verde/2008.

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