Cape Verde

National name: República de Cabo Verde

Government
Republic.

Geography
Cape Verde, is an archipelago in the Atlantic 385 mi (500 km) west of Senegal. The islands are divided into two groups: Barlavento in the north, composed of Santo Antão, Boa Vista, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Sal and Santa Luzia; and Sotavento in the south, consisting of São Tiago, Fogo, Maio, and Brava. The islands are mostly mountainous, with the land deeply scarred by erosion. There is an active volcano on Fogo.

Historical Background
The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a oneparty system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Capital

Praia

Government

Republic President Pedro Pires  Prime Minister José Maria Neves

Language

Portuguese

Area

Total 4,033 km2 (172nd) 1,557 sq mi

Population

2010 estimate 567,000[1] (165th) 2009 census 509,000[2] Density 125.5/km2 (79th) 325.0/sq mi

Currency

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

GDP

2009 estimate Total $1.841 billion