Western Africa, group of Islands in the North AtlanticOcean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 4,030 sq km
land area: 4,030 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone,
kaolin, fish
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 85%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such
as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion;
demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several
indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure
visibility; volcanically and seismically active
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic 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: 449,066 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0–14 years: 50% (male 114,206; female 110,276)
15–64 years: 46% (male 90,593; female 117,485)
65 years and over: 4% (male 6,450; female 10,056) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: −6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 54.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.39 years male: 61.47 years female: 65.41 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West
African words
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.6%
male: 81.4%
female: 63.8%
Government—————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Type of government: 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) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February
2001); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received
80.1% of vote
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