Republica de Cabo Verdelocal short form:
Cabo Verde
Digraph:
CV
Type:
republic
Capital:
Praia
Administrative divisions:
14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo,
Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina,
Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:
new constitution came into force 25 September 1992
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22 March 1991) election
last held 17 February 1991 (next to be held February 1996); results -
Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received 72.6% of vote
head of government:
Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13
January 1991);
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by prime minister from members of the
Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular):
elections last held 13 January 1991 (next to be held January 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) MPD 56,
PAICV 23; note - this multiparty Assembly election ended 15 years of
single-party rule
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justia)
Political parties and leaders:
Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and
chairman; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro
Verona Rodrigues PIRES, chairman
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS,
NAM, OAU, UN (Cape Verde assumed a nonpermanent seat on the Security
Council on 1 January 1992), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carlos Alberto Santos SILVA
chancery:
3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 965–6820
FAX:
(202) 965–1207
consulate(s) general:
Boston
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARS
embassy:
Rua Hoji Ya Henda 81, Praia
mailing address:
C. P. 201, Praia
telephone:
[238] 61–56-16 or 61–56-17
FAX:
[238] 61–13-55
Flag:
three horozontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with
a horozontal 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
@Cape Verde, Economy
Overview:
Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base,
a serious, long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is
service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services
accounting for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives
in rural areas, agriculture's share of GDP is only 20%; the fishing
sector accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The
fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. In
1988 fishing represented only 3.5% of GDP. Cape Verde annually runs a
high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign
aid. Economic reforms launched by the new democratic government in
February 1991 are aimed at developing the private sector and
attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $415 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
