Cape Verde

Geography
The Republic of Cape Verde is made up of several uninhabited volcanic islands and nine inhabited islands off the West Coast of Africa. Lying in the middle of the Atlantic between two continents, the archipelago of Cape Verde is a closely-knit group of islands. It is also a transshipment location for both maritime and air transportation. The archipelago is volcanic in origin and each of the islands has a different geophysical identity. Most islands are rugged and mountainous by virtue of this volcanic birth, while others are flat and clad with beautiful sandy beaches.

History
Cape Verde enjoys a stable, democratic government and, while an effort is underway to improve [Cape Verde Beach] tourist facilities, accommodations and locations on most islands remain limited. With an array of fine beaches, a warm and sunny climate, and a population well known for its hospitality, tourism is one of Cape Verde's most important resources. In contrast to its name, Cape Verde is actually quite devoid of vegetation; rather, it consists of mainly small shrubs and other drought-resistant species.

Culture
The culture of Cape Verde is a mix of Portuguese, African and other European cultures who have visited the string of islands over the last five centuries; this mix is expressed in the everyday life and the cultural items of the people. Music is an essential part of Cape Verdean culture and is an important part of every celebration, be it a simple family or large social occasion.

Many of the festivals throughout the island are dedicated to patron saints, while others, such as the carnival held in Mindelo (February), are lively spectacles. The traditional festival of Baia das Gatas' (August) is a public gathering that lasts for three days and nights and is an international musical event. Throughout the islands, stringed instruments are most widely used—the guitar, the viola, the cavaquinho, and the violin—along with a variety drums.

Travel Information

Climate
The climate in Cape Verde is mild to tropical dry, with two seasons: the dry season, between November and July and the humid season (rainy season) from August to October. The medium average temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Attractions

Praia
Your visit to Cape Vered will most likely begin at its capital on the island of São Tiago: Praia (sometimes referred to as Santiago). Praia is one of the few Cape Verdean places with airports, and inter-island boat transport is easily available from here. The best way to explore the city is on foot, starting from the main square, through the quiet and easygoing city, which boasts a fine array of good restaurants and hotels. The city's two beaches, Praia Mar and Quebra-Canela, are west of the center. Another popular destination, approximately seven miles from Praia, is Cidade Velha (The Old City), which was the first town built by Portuguese settlers on the islands.

Mindelo
On the Island of São Vicente is the nation’s second most visited city [Cape Verde Beach] of Mindelo. Mindelo is considered to be the more beautiful of the two cities, and offers numerous bars and nightclubs, many of which are considered better than their counterparts in Praia. You can reach the island by taking an island hopper from São Tiago or from the other large island of Sal, but the ferry is often the cheaper route. This port city is a typical colonial city, with its multi-colored home fronts and mellow moods.

Outdoor Activities

Windsurfing
Cape Verde's beaches present excellent conditions for the practice of water sports such as windsurfing and fishing. Windsurfing opportunities are excellent on the island of Sal, thanks to a special wind system; it has become a known hotspot and Santa Maria is considered by specialists to be among the worlds top five windsurfing locations.

Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts can look forward to ideal conditions and a considerable number and variety of fish. Santa Maria's fishing clubs have all the equipment you will need; they organize sea expeditions, during which you'll likely see parrot fish, barracuda and moray eels. Other species you may come upon include blue and humpback whales, dolphin, porpoise and a few types of turtles.

Diving
In addition, there are many superb diving sites around the islands, several of which have shipwrecks dating back to the 16th century. There are many excellent dive spots, as well as three surf stations to service divers. These dive centers enlist qualified personnel and the standard of training and equipment is high.

Hiking
Cape Verde's many mountainous islands offer some good hiking excursions. One of the best places for a short trip is the hilly green interior of Santo Antão Island. The main hike is up Ribeira Grande Mountain, some 6 miles south of the town of Ribeira Grande, which is on the northeastern coast. Getting to the top and back takes most of a day. Brava, the smallest of the inhabited islands, can be reached by a three-hour ferry trip. It is easily the most scenic of the islands, and offers some of the best hiking opportunities in Cape Verde.

Geography

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

Area-comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island

Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish

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: Population: 405,748 (July 1999 est.)

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

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: Praia

Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992

Legal system: derived from the legal system of Portugal

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ferdinand Amilcar Spencer LOPES
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 Lawrence Neal BENEDICT
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 61 56 16
FAX: [238] 61 13 55

Flag description: 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

Economy—overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 1995 was only 8%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 90% 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 constitute a supplement to GDP of more than 20%. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1999 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.

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

Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos

Communication

Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which was scheduled for completion in 1998
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 0km

Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 858 km
unpaved: 242 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Military

Military branches: Armed Forces (AF) (includes all armed force elements, both ground and naval)


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