Introduction

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

Location: |  |
`Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`16 00 N, 24 00 W`
Map references: |  |
`Africa`
Area: |  |
`total: 4,033 sq km country comparison to the world: 175 land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly larger than Rhode Island`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`965 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic`
Terrain: |  |
`steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)`
Natural resources: |  |
`salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`30 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.3 cu km (1990)`
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 volcanism: Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cape Verde's only active volcano`
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

Population: |  |
`516,100 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 169`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 32.6% (male 84,545/female 83,718) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 154,697/female 164,917) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 10,648/female 17,575) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 22.7 years male: 21.9 years female: 23.5 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`1.446% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 81`
Birth rate: |  |
`21.47 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80`
Death rate: |  |
`6.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 61% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`PRAIA (capital) 125,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 26.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 77 male: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 70.7 years country comparison to the world: 143 male: 68.51 years female: 72.96 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`2.49 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 84`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.04% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 166`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`775 (2001) country comparison to the world: 148`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`225 (as of 2001) country comparison to the world: 100`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 85% of population rural: 82% of population total: 84% of population unimproved: urban: 15% of population rural: 17% of population total: 16% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 65% of population rural: 38% of population total: 54% of population unimproved: urban: 35% of population rural: 62% of population total: 46% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%`
Religions: |  |
`Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)`
Languages: |  |
`Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`5.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 32`

Government

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`
Government type: |  |
`republic`
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)`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law system of Portugal`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodrigues 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
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 February 2006 (next to be held on 7 August 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 elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 6 February 2011 (next to be held by 2016) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAICV 38, MPD 32, UCID 2`
Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia; Court of Audit; Military Courts; Fiscal and Customs Courts`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; 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: |  |
`ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dana BROWN 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 is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA note: adopted 1996`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought and poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands. The economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although about 40% 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 its large pool of emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Despite the lack of resources, sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes. Continued 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.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$1.908 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $1.81 billion (2009 est.) $1.747 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$1.651 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`5.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 3.6% (2009 est.) 6.2% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$3,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $3,600 (2009 est.) $3,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 9% industry: 16.2% services: 74.8% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`196,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 170`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`21% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 170`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`30% (2000)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 40.6% (2001)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`36.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $520.7 million expenditures: $680.8 million (2010 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`2.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 1% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`7.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 51 7.5% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`10.98% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 9.99% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$585 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $628.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$1.314 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $1.399 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$1.179 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.256 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish`
Industries: |  |
`food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91`
Electricity - production: |  |
`250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`2,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158`
Oil - imports: |  |
`1,619 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-286 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $-319 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$114 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $105 million (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Spain 53.98%, Portugal 22.23%, Morocco 7.13% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$858 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $835 million (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Portugal 44.86%, Netherlands 15.51%, Spain 6.1%, Italy 4.46%, Brazil 4.21% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$296 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $284 million (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$325 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 169`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.58 (2010) 79.38 (2009) 73.84 (2008) 81.235 (2007) 87.946 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`72,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`392,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165`
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)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`state-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are obtainable (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.cv`
Internet hosts: |  |
`26 (2010) country comparison to the world: 215`
Internet users: |  |
`150,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 148`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`10 (2010) country comparison to the world: 157`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 1,350 km country comparison to the world: 178 paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 13 country comparison to the world: 105 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7 foreign-owned: 3 (Spain 1, UK 2) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Porto Grande`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard), Cape Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes Air Force (Forca Aerea Caboverdaine), naval infantry) (2011)`
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: 132,087 females age 16-49: 136,956 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 106,864 females age 16-49: 117,518 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 6,029 female: 6,026 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`0.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 160`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |

`
used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)
`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011