|
Cape Verde
Find a premier Hotel & Resort at
Hilton Hotels.
or book
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
| |
| |
|
|
|
The Republic of Cape Verde or Cape Verde (Portuguese:
Cabo Verde, pron. IPA /'ka.bu 'veɾ.d(ɨ)/) is a republic
located on an archipelago in the Macaronesia ecoregion of
the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa.
The previously-uninhabited islands were discovered and
colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they
subsequently became a trading centre for African slaves.
Most Cape Verdeans descend from both groups.
"Cape Verde" is named for Cap-Vert, now in Senegal, the
westernmost point of Africa.
History
Main article: History of Cape Verde
Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in
1456, and the islands were thus made part of the Portuguese
empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape
Verde became an important port, and was a major center of
the slave trade.
In 1975, the islands achieved independence, partially due to
the efforts of the African Party for the Independence of
Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). After independence,
the PAIGC attempted to unite Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau
into one nation, the PAIGC controlling both governments, but
a coup in the latter nation in 1980 ended these plans. In
Cape Verde itself the PAICV (affiliated with the PAIGC)
governed until elections were held in 1991 that resulted in
a change of government. The PAICV was re-elected in 2001.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of Africa at
15.02N, 23.34W. It is formed by 10 main islands and about 8
islets. The main islands are:
Barlaventos (northern island group)
Santo Antão
São Vicente
Santa Luzia
São Nicolau
Sal
Boa Vista
Sotaventos (southern island group)
Maio
Santiago
Fogo
Brava
Of these, only Santa Luzia is uninhabited. Presently it is a
Natural Reserve. All islands are volcanic, but an active
volcano exists on one of the islands, Fogo. See Mount Fogo.
The islets are Branco, Razo.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Cape Verde
Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are descendants of the white
Portuguese settlers and black African slaves. More Cape
Verdeans live abroad than in Cape Verde, with significant
emigrant Cape Verdean communities in the United States
(264,900 Cape Verdians), Portugal (80,000) and Angola
(45,000). There are also significant number of Cape Verdeans
in São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, France, Brazil and the
Netherlands.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Cape Verde
The culture of Cape Verde reflects its mixed Portuguese and
African roots. It is well known for its diverse forms of
music such as Morna (the Capeverdian Fado) and the urban
Cape Verdian kizomba, and a wide variety of dances: the soft
dance Morna, the Funana - a sensual mixed Portuguese and
African dance, the extreme sensuality of coladeira
(literally "glued"), and the African Batuque dance. These
are reflective of the diverse origins of Cape Verde's
residents. Indigenously, the term "Cabo" is used to refer to
residents as well as the culture of Cape Verde.
|
|
Background:
|
The
uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by
the Portuguese in the 15th century; they
subsequently became a trading center for African
slaves and later an important coaling and resupply
stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Most
Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese
antecedents. Independence was achieved in 1975.
|
|
Location:
|
Western Africa, group of islands in the North
Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
16 00
N, 24 00 W
|
|
Map references:
|
Political Map of the World |
|
Area:
|
total: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
slightly larger than Rhode Island |
|
Climate:
|
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager
and very erratic |
|
Terrain:
|
steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% |
|
Religions:
|
Roman
Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs);
Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
|
|
Languages:
|
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West
African words) |
|
Currency:
|
Cape
Verdean escudo (CVE) |
|
Currency code:
|
CVE
|
|
Exchange rates:
|
Cape
Verdean escudos per US dollar - 123.556 (January
2002), 115.877 (2000), 102.700 (1999), 98.158
(1998), 93.177 (1997) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.cv
|
|
Destination Guides > Africa
& Middle East >
|
●
