2011 Edition

Background

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Area

4,033 sq km 4,033 sq km 0 sq km

total

4,033 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Climate

temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic

Coastline

965 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

highest point

Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) 39 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

39 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

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

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

11.41% 0.74% 87.85% (2005)

arable land

11.41%

other

87.85% (2005)

permanent crops

0.74%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cape Verde's only active volcano

volcanism

Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cape Verde's only active volcano

Natural resources

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Total renewable water resources

0.3 cu km (1990)

Age structure

32.6% (male 84,545/female 83,718) 61.9% (male 154,697/female 164,917) 5.5% (male 10,648/female 17,575) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

32.6% (male 84,545/female 83,718)

15-64 years

61.9% (male 154,697/female 164,917)

65 years and over

5.5% (male 10,648/female 17,575) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

21.47 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

6.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 85% of population rural: 82% of population total: 84% of population urban: 15% of population rural: 17% of population total: 16% of population (2008)

rural

17% of population

total

16% of population (2008)

urban

15% of population

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.04% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

225 (as of 2001)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

775 (2001)

Hospital bed density

2.07 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

26.94 deaths/1,000 live births 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births 22.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

22.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

26.94 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

70.7 years 68.51 years 72.96 years (2011 est.)

female

72.96 years (2011 est.)

total population

70.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 76.6% 85.8% 69.2% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

69.2% (2003 est.)

male

85.8%

total population

76.6%

Major cities - population

PRAIA (capital) 125,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

94 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

22.7 years 21.9 years 23.5 years (2011 est.)

female

23.5 years (2011 est.)

male

21.9 years

total

22.7 years

Nationality

Cape Verdean(s) Cape Verdean

adjective

Cape Verdean

noun

Cape Verdean(s)

Net migration rate

-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.572 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

516,100 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.446% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 65% of population rural: 38% of population total: 54% of population urban: 35% of population rural: 62% of population total: 46% of population (2008)

rural

62% of population

total

46% of population (2008)

urban

35% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 11 years 12 years (2009)

female

12 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.61 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.61 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.49 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

61% of total population (2010) 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

61% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

Capital

Praia 14 55 N, 23 31 W UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

14 55 N, 23 31 W

name

Praia

time difference

UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Country name

Republic of Cape Verde Cape Verde Republica de Cabo Verde Cabo Verde

conventional long form

Republic of Cape Verde

conventional short form

Cape Verde

local long form

Republica de Cabo Verde

local short form

Cabo Verde

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dana BROWN Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia C. P. 201, Praia [238] 2-60-89-00 [238] 2-61-13-55

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dana BROWN

embassy

Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia

FAX

[238] 2-61-13-55

mailing address

C. P. 201, Praia

telephone

[238] 2-60-89-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 965-6820 [1] (202) 965-1207 Boston

chancery

3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA

consulate(s) general

Boston

FAX

[1] (202) 965-1207

telephone

[1] (202) 965-6820

Executive branch

President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011) Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 August 2011 with a second round runoff on 21 August 2011; prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president percent of vote (second round) - Jorge Carlos FONSECA 53.4%, Manuel Inocencio SOUSA 46.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011)

election results

percent of vote (second round) - Jorge Carlos FONSECA 53.4%, Manuel Inocencio SOUSA 46.6%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 August 2011 with a second round runoff on 21 August 2011; prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)

Flag description

five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)

Government type

republic

Independence

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia; Court of Audit; Military Courts; Fiscal and Customs Courts

Legal system

civil law system of Portugal

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 6 February 2011 (next to be held by 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAICV 38, MPD 32, UCID 2

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAICV 38, MPD 32, UCID 2

elections

last held on 6 February 2011 (next to be held by 2016)

National anthem

"Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA adopted 1996

lyrics/music

Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA

name

"Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Political parties and leaders

African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmentalists; political pressure groups

other

environmentalists; political pressure groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish

Budget

$559.7 million $785.5 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$785.5 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$559.7 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11% (31 December 2010 est.) 11% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$219.4 million (2010 est.) -$154 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$325 million (2002)

Economy - overview

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought and poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands. The economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% 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 its large pool of emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Despite the lack of resources, sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes. Continued economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

Electricity - consumption

238.6 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

256.5 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.58 (2010) 79.38 (2009) 73.84 (2008) 81.235 (2007) 87.946 (2006)

Exports

$97.8 million (2010 est.) $91 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports - partners

Spain 61.9%, Portugal 16.6%, Morocco 6.9% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

8.9% 16.1% 75.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

8.9%

industry

16.1%

services

75.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,800 (2010 est.) $3,600 (2009 est.) $3,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.4% (2010 est.) 3.6% (2009 est.) 6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.651 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.908 billion (2010 est.) $1.81 billion (2009 est.) $1.747 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 40.6% (2000)

highest 10%

40.6% (2000)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$796.7 million (2010 est.) $720.6 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

Portugal 41.6%, Netherlands 17.7%, Spain 6.9%, China 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2010 est.) 1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

36.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

2,336 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

30% (2000)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$394.2 million (31 December 2010 est.) $366 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.441 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.467 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.295 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.317 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$640.1 million (31 December 2010 est.) $659.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (2000 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are obtainable (2007)

Internet country code

.cv

Internet hosts

26 (2010)

Internet users

150,000 (2009)

Telephone system

effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)

domestic

major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004

general assessment

effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995

international

country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

72,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

371,900 (2010)

Airports

10 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

9

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

total

1

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7 3 (Spain 1, UK 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

3 (Spain 1, UK 2) (2010)

total

13

Ports and terminals

Porto Grande

Roadways

1,350 km 932 km 418 km (2000)

total

1,350 km

unpaved

418 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

132,087 136,956 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

136,956 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

132,087

Manpower fit for military service

106,864 117,518 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

117,518 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

106,864

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

6,029 6,026 (2010 est.)

female

6,026 (2010 est.)

male

6,029

Military branches

Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard), Cape Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2011)

Armed Forces

Army (also called the National Guard), Cape Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2011)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)