2013 Edition

Background

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cabo 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. Cabo 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, Cabo Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cabo 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 (6%/1%/93%) 48.57 cu m/yr (2004)

per capita

48.57 cu m/yr (2004)

total

0.02 cu km/yr (6%/1%/93%)

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

34.76 sq km (2004)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

11.66% 0.74% 87.59% (2011)

arable land

11.66%

other

87.59% (2011)

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 Cabo Verde's only active volcano

volcanism

Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo 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 (2011)

Age structure

31.2% (male 83,355/female 82,503) 21.8% (male 57,825/female 57,842) 37.3% (male 95,970/female 102,217) 4.5% (male 9,766/female 13,910) 5.2% (male 10,416/female 17,242) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

31.2% (male 83,355/female 82,503)

15-24 years

21.8% (male 57,825/female 57,842)

25-54 years

37.3% (male 95,970/female 102,217)

55-64 years

4.5% (male 9,766/female 13,910)

65 years and over

5.2% (male 10,416/female 17,242) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

20.96 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,948 3 % data represents children ages 10-14 (2001 est.)

percentage

3 %

total number

1,948

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.3% (2005)

Death rate

6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

53.5 % 45.3 % 8.2 % 12.2 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

8.2 %

potential support ratio

12.2 (2013)

total dependency ratio

53.5 %

youth dependency ratio

45.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 90% of population rural: 85% of population total: 88% of population urban: 10% of population rural: 15% of population total: 12% of population (2010 est.)

rural

15% of population

total

12% of population (2010 est.)

urban

10% of population

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2011)

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

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

25.13 deaths/1,000 live births 28.78 deaths/1,000 live births 21.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

21.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

25.13 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

71.28 years 69.05 years 73.58 years (2013 est.)

female

73.58 years (2013 est.)

total population

71.28 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 84.9% 89.7% 80.3% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

80.3% (2011 est.)

male

89.7%

total population

84.9%

Major urban areas - population

PRAIA (capital) 132,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

79 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

23.5 years 22.7 years 24.4 years (2013 est.)

female

24.4 years (2013 est.)

male

22.7 years

total

23.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2005 est.)

Nationality

Cabo Verdean(s) Cabo Verdean

adjective

Cabo Verdean

noun

Cabo Verdean(s)

Net migration rate

-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10% (2008)

Physicians density

0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

531,046 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.41% (2013 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 73% of population rural: 43% of population total: 61% of population urban: 27% of population rural: 57% of population total: 39% of population (2010 est.)

rural

57% of population

total

39% of population (2010 est.)

urban

27% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2011)

female

13 years (2011)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.93 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.71 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.6 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.39 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

62.6% of total population (2011) 2.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

62.6% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Lourenco dos Orgaos, Sao Miguel, Sao Salvador do Mundo, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau

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

previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992; revised 1995, 1999, 2010 (2010)

Country name

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

conventional long form

Republic of Cabo Verde

conventional short form

Cabo Verde

local long form

Republica de Cabo Verde

local short form

Cabo Verde

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Adrienne O'NEAL (since 9 December 2011) Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia C. P. 201, Praia [238] 2-60-89-00 [238] 2-61-13-55

chief of mission

Ambassador Adrienne O'NEAL (since 9 December 2011)

embassy

Rua Abilio Macedo 6, 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 Maria De Fatima Lima Da VEIGA (since 16 August 2007) 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 965-6820 [1] (202) 965-1207 Boston

chancery

3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Maria De Fatima Lima Da VEIGA (since 16 August 2007)

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 (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 judges) judges appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and the remainder by the Supreme Council of Magistrates, a 9-member independent body presided over by the chief justice and includes the high judicial inspector, 2 presidential appointees, 3 elected by the National Assembly, and 2 by their court peers; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court and in consultation with the Supreme Council of the Magistrates; judge tenure NA first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and the remainder by the Supreme Council of Magistrates, a 9-member independent body presided over by the chief justice and includes the high judicial inspector, 2 presidential appointees, 3 elected by the National Assembly, and 2 by their court peers; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court and in consultation with the Supreme Council of the Magistrates; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and 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 Cabo Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman] Democratic and Independent Cabo 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 [Carlos VEIGA] Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA] 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

$409 million $625.7 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$625.7 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$409 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-12.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.92% (31 December 2012 est.) 9.81% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-209.3 million (2012 est.) $-304.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$1.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.025 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. 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. 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. Cabo 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 and mitigate high unemployment. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cabo Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

Exchange rates

Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 85.82 (2012 est.) 79.32 (2011 est.) 83.26 (2010 est.) 79.38 (2009) 73.84 (2008)

Exports

$173.1 million (2012 est.) $196.6 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports - partners

Spain 66.9%, Portugal 13.9%, US 5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

56% 18.4% 43.2% 2.5% 34% -54.1% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

34%

government consumption

18.4%

household consumption

56%

imports of goods and services

-54.1%

investment in fixed capital

43.2%

investment in inventories

2.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.4% 18.9% 71.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

9.4%

industry

18.9%

services

71.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,400 (2012 est.) $4,300 (2011 est.) $4,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2012 est.) 4% (2011 est.) 1.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.798 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.16 billion (2012 est.) $2.106 billion (2011 est.) $2.026 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

34.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 31.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 34.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 40.6% (2000)

highest 10%

40.6% (2000)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$878.7 million (2012 est.) $1.04 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

Portugal 38.1%, Netherlands 21.5%, China 7.9%, Spain 7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-3% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2012 est.) 4.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007)

Population below poverty line

30% (2000)

Public debt

86.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 78.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$376 million (31 December 2012 est.) $339 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.362 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.322 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.496 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.426 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$490.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) $459.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (2000 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

430,000 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

266.9 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

89,800 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

287 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,608 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,646 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 available (2007)

Internet country code

.cv

Internet hosts

38 (2012)

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) (2011)

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

70,200 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

425,300 (2012)

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

9

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

foreign-owned

3 (Greece 1, Spain 1, UK 1)

registered in other countries

1 (unknown 1) (2010)

total

13

Ports and terminals

Porto Grande

major seaport(s)

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, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2013)

Armed Forces

Army (also called the National Guard, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.4% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent) (2013)

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)