Cape Verde

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

Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, Fourth Edition. © 2010 by Omnigraphics, Inc.