Cape Verde

I

Introduction

Cape Verde, republic comprising the Cape Verde Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, due west of the westernmost point of Africa, Cape Verde. The archipelago consists of ten islands and five islets, which are divided into windward and leeward groups. The windward, or Barlavento, group on the north includes Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal, and Boa Vista; the leeward, or Sotavento, group on the south includes São Tiago, Brava, Fogo, and Maio. Cape Verde has a total area of 4,033 sq km (1,557 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

The islands are volcanic in origin, and all but three—Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio—are mountainous. The highest point, Pico do Cano (2,829 m/9,281 ft) on Fogo, is also the group’s only active volcano. The climate is tropical and dry, showing little variation throughout the year. The average temperature in Praia, the capital, ranges from 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) in January and 24° to 28°C (75° to 83°F) in July. Winds are frequent, occasionally carrying clouds of sand from the Sahara Desert in Africa to the east. Precipitation is slight and irregular. Average precipitation in Praia is 260 mm (10 in), nearly all of which falls from August through September. Vegetation is sparse and consists of various shrubs, aloes, and other drought-resistant species. Wildlife is also limited and includes lizards, monkeys, wild goats, and a variety of birdlife. Mineral resources are meager and primarily include pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in making cement) and salt.

Prolonged droughts are an increasing problem for the small, rocky archipelago, which has no renewable sources of fresh water. Only 80 percent (2004) of Cape Verde residents have access to safe water, and only 43 percent (2004) have access to sanitation. Overgrazing of livestock, improper land use, and high demand for fuelwood are added concerns. Reforestation projects are being initiated to retain runoff, but additional outside aid may be necessary to implement these projects effectively. Only 12.2 percent (2003) of Cape Verde’s total land area is arable, and 20.8 percent (2005) is forested. None of Cape Verde’s land is classified as protected. Environmental damage threatens several indigenous species of birds and reptiles. Cape Verde is a party to international agreements regarding biodiversity, climate change, desertification, environmental modification, law of the sea, and marine dumping.

III

Population

More than two-thirds of the people of Cape Verde are of mixed African and European ancestry and are known as Creoles, or mestiços. Nearly all of the remainder are of African ancestry. The official language is Portuguese; the national language, however, is Crioulo, a Creole dialect of archaic Portuguese incorporating many African elements. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. Some 78 percent of the population is literate.

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The census of 1990 counted a population of 341,491; the estimated population in 2007 was 423,613, giving the country an overall density of 105 persons per sq km (272 per sq mi). Because Cape Verde is poor in natural resources and suffers from frequent droughts, it has experienced large emigration for many years. More people with a Cape Verde ancestry live outside the country than inside. The population growth rate in 2007 was 0.6 percent annually. Life expectancy at birth was 74 years for women and 68 years for men. The principal urban centers are Praia (population, 2000, 94,757), on São Tiago, and Mindelo (2000; 62,970) on São Vicente.

IV

Economy

Although limited by scarce arable land and diminished by regular drought, agriculture remains an important economic activity. Staple crops include maize and beans; also cultivated are sweet potatoes, coconuts, potatoes, cassava, and dates. Some bananas are grown for export, and sugarcane is raised for the making of rum. Because of its mountainous terrain, only 11.4 percent of the islands’ area is cultivated. Subdivision of farms from generation to generation has reduced many farms to a size smaller than needed for subsistence, and Cape Verde depends on food imports (much of it in the form of aid) to feed its people.

Cape Verde is located in the midst of rich fishing grounds, although the industry has yet to develop to its potential. Fish-processing facilities have been constructed in Mindelo, and the government has initiated programs to modernize the fishing fleet. The catch in 2004 was 8,446 metric tons; the catch is usually composed chiefly of skipjack and yellowfin tuna and wahoo, a type of large mackerel. Some lobsters are caught for export.

Salt is mined on Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio, with annual production of about 7,000 metric tons. Production has declined to less than one-quarter of the level achieved in the 1970s, depressed by the lack of steady markets and readily available ocean transportation, as well as the cost of repairs to equipment. Pozzolana is extracted for export.

Gross domestic product (GDP) of Cape Verde was $983 million in 2005, or just $1,939.80 per person. The bulk of exports, valued at $9.75 million in 2001, are purchased by Portugal, followed by the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, and The Netherlands. Imports, worth $248 million, come principally from Portugal, France, and Japan. The economy depends extensively on remittances from Cape Verdeans living overseas, which help to offset the country's large trade deficit. The country's basic unit of currency is the Cape Verde escudo (88.70 escudos equal U.S.$1; 2005 average); 1,000 escudos is known as a conto.

Cape Verde is attempting to capitalize on its strategic location at the crossroads of mid-Atlantic air and sea lanes by expanding, with the assistance of foreign aid, airports, and port facilities. Main ports are at Mindelo and Praia. The international airport at Espargos, on Sal, is a refueling stop for flights to Africa and South America. A second international airport opened in Praia in 2005. With unspoiled beaches and a sunny climate, the government has identified tourism as the primary focus of development, although the number of visitors in 2005 was only 198,000.

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