Cape Verde

a republic in the Atlantic off the coast of West Africa, consisting of a group of ten islands and five islets: an overseas territory of Portugal until 1975, when the islands became independent. Official language: Portuguese. Religion: Christian (Roman Catholic) majority; animist minority. Currency: Cape Verdean escudo. Capital: Praia. Pop.: 472 000 (2004 est.). Area: 4033 sq. km (1557 sq. miles)

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Cape Verde

Official name: Republic of Cape Verde

Capital city: Praia

Internet country code: .cv

Flag description: Five unequal horizontal bands; the topmost 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, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side

National anthem: “Cântico da Liberdade”

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

Total area: 1,557 sq. mi. (4,033 sq. km.)

Climate: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s); adjective: Cape Verdean

Population: 423,613 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Creole (mixed African and Portuguese) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Languages spoken: Portuguese, Crioulo (Portuguese-West African blend)

Religions: Roman Catholic more than 85%, Protestant less than 15%

Legal Holidays:

All Saints' Day	Nov 1
Assumption Day	Aug 15
Christmas Day	Dec 25
Democracy and Liberty Day	Jan 13
Independence Day	Jul 5
Labor Day	May 1
National Heroes Day	Jan 20
New Year's Day	Jan 1
Youth Day	Jun 1

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Perhaps the argument about this aspect of Cape Verde's development is a false one, between those who believe agriculture must do everything and those who doubt it can do anything.

Letter from Praia, 1979

Although narcotic usage is not an extensive problem in the country, Cape Verde has become a transit point for narcotics crossing the Atlantic from Latin America into West Africa and then up into Europe.

AFRICOM Sailor receives honors in Cape Verde

The visit was also intended to inject new dynamism in the relations between the two countries, considering the fact that Cape Verde has a Special Partnership with the European Union, while Morocco enjoys a special status alongside the regional bloc.

Visit by King of Morocco postponed indefinitely

Joao Roberto, a family friend and director general of the Liverpool-based Cape Verde Bureau, liaised with Graham's lawyer in Cape Verde.

World trek artist freed after Africa jail ordeal; Court rules 'no case to answer'

I have no financial interest in Cape Verde Developments as a company and no financial interest in Paradise Beach.

Letter: Your say - Eddie puts us straight; Financial guru Hobbs did not advise Cape Verde investors and never spoke about Paradise Beach on TV

At the other end of the scale, the Zeegers' second pad, in idyllic Cape Verde, is all about sun, sand and sea.

Double dealing is twice the fun; place in the sun Couple buy two holiday homes...one for skiing and one for sun worshipping

Due to the huge increase in tourism expected across Cape Verde, property - consisting of holiday homes, rental accommodation and retirement real estate - will be in high demand.

Perfect time for a Cape crusade

If it completes steps for accession by June, Cape Verde would become the WTO's 152nd member after Tonga which joined the trade body in July this year.

Cape Verde set to become WTO's member in 2008

For a comparatively poor West African country, too dependent on foreign aid, Cape Verde is far from being "insular".

The price of progress: Cape Verde and Sao Tome celebrated 30 years of independence on 5 and 12 July respectively. Despite the post-independence problems that dogged the progress of both countries, it has been a long 30 years worth remembering