CAPE VERDE

Republic of Cape Verde
República de Cabo Verde

COUNTRY OVERVIEW

LOCATION AND SIZE.

Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands and 5 islets situated 483 kilometers (300 miles) due west of Dakar, Senegal, in the North Atlantic Ocean. Cape Verde's total land area is 4,033 square kilometers (1,557 square miles), which makes it slightly larger than the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The islands stretch over a distance of 350 kilometers (218 miles) north to south and 300 kilometers (186 miles) east to west. The terrain is mountainous and there is limited rainfall, making the islands very arid. The capital, Praia, is on Santiago Island, located in the south of the archipelago. The second largest town, Mindelo, is situated in the northwest of the archipelago on the island of Sao Vincent. The islands have a total coastline of 965 kilometers (600 miles).

POPULATION.

The high rate of emigration and recent famines have limited population growth in Cape Verde. In 2001 the population was estimated at 405,163, with a very low growth rate of 0.92 percent. At least 500,000 Cape Verdeans are living abroad in Europe, the United States, and Africa. Most Cape Verdeans are of mixed European and African background, and an estimated 95 percent are Roman Catholics. Approximately half of the population lives on Santiago Island. In recent years, Praia and Mindelo have become urban migration magnets, accounting for much of the urban growth. In 1995 the
United Nations (UN) estimated the urban population to be 54 percent of the total.

DEPENDENCIES

Cape Verde has no territories or colonies.
—Jack Hodd

CAPITAL:

Praia.

MONETARY UNIT:

Cape Verde escudo (CVE). One escudo equals 100 centavos. There are notes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,500 escudos and coins of 1, 2.5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 escudos and 20 and 50 centavos. In July 1998 the Cape Verde escudo was pegged to the Portuguese escudo at 55:1.

CHIEF EXPORTS:

Fuel, shoes, garments, fish, bananas, and hides.

CHIEF IMPORTS:

Foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, and fuels.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT:

US$670 million (purchasing power parity, 2000 est.).

BALANCE OF TRADE:

Exports: US$40 million (2000 est.). Imports: US$250 million (2000 est.).