Country guide - Cape Verde  

 
 

Introduction: Cape Verde is made up of ten islands and five islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. Uninhabited upon their discovery in 1456, the Cape Verde islands became part of the Portuguese empire in 1495. A majority of today's inhabitants are of mixed Portuguese and African ancestry.

Official Name: Republic of Cape Verde
Area: 4,033 sq km (1,557 sq miles)
Population: 412,000
Continent: Africa
Density per square mile: 265
Capital City: Praia
Religions: Roman Catholic 98% although many have indigenous beliefs too.

Language: Portuguese, Criuolo
Government: Republic

Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo
GDP: $600 million
GDP Per Head: $1,500

Natural Resources: Basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish & salt.
Land Use: Arable Land 10%
Agriculture: bananas, beans, coffee, corn, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, peanuts & fish.
Industry: Food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and clothing, salt mining & ship repairing.

Tourism: The best time to visit Cape Verde is from August to October, when the weather is pleasantly warm. There's great beaches, good diving and hiking, lively nightlife and plenty of unspoiled areas to explore too.

Natural Hazards: Droughts
Health Risks: Yellow fever

Climate: Cape Verde has a tropical climate with two seasons. A cool dry season from December to June and a warm season between July and November. Rainfall is low with most of it occurring during August and September. Tropical heat and high humidity throughout the year make conditions fairly uncomfortable except when fanned by the north east sea breezes. Average temperature ranges in Praia are from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius in February or March to 24 to 29 degrees Celsius in October.

Time: GMT/UTC -1 hours
National Days: July 5

Visas: All visitors to Cape Verde require visas.

British Embassy Details

 

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