Cape Verde

Cape Verde Republic in the E Atlantic Ocean, the most westerly point of Africa. It is made up of 15 islands divided into two groups (Windward and Leeward). The capital is Praia on Sao Tiago. West of Cape Verde Peninsula, Senegal, the most westerly point of Africa. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal. The Cape Verde islands consists of Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Ilheu Branco, Ilheu Raso, Sao Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista, Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo and Brava. Mindelo, the second largest city is located on the northern island of Sao Vicente.The population of Cape Verde is 430,000.

Cape Verde temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic. Natural resources is salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum. Cape Verde languages is Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words).

Economic condition is not well support significant agricultural production. This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP

Cape Verdean culture is a unique mixture of European and African elements. Corn is the staple food of Cape Verde. The national dish, cachupa, is a stew of hominy, beans, and whatever meat or vegetables may be available. One-third of the population are farmers. The islands produce bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane, coffee, and some fruits and vegetables, but supply less than one-fifth of the country's needs. Much of the rest comes in the form of aid from the United States, Portugal, Holland, and other countries in western Europe. Remittances from Cape Verdeans living abroad also make a considerable contribution to the economy and GNP.

Cape Verde's main trade partners are countries of the European Union (Portugal, France, Holland, Germany, Spain, and Italy). Small amounts of fish, salt, lobster, bananas, shoes, and pharmaceutical products are exported. Large quantities of food, construction and building materials, machinery, and textiles are imported.

Cape Verde won independence from Portugal in 1975, it has had a democratic multi-party system of government with proportional representation through electoral districts. Cape Verde has a small military of eleven hundred active duty personnel.