Chief
of State: President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22
March 2001)
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)
Government Type: republic |
Population:
420,979 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo
(a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Religion: Roman Catholic (infused
with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of
the Nazarene)
Life Expectancy: 70.73 |
Currency:
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
GDP(per capita): $6,200 (2005
est.)
Overview: 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
66% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives
in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2004
was only 12%, of which fishing accounted for 1.5%. About
82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential,
mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape
Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by
foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances
supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are
aimed at developing the private sector and attracting
foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future
prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows,
the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum
of the government's development program.
Exports: fuel, shoes, garments,
fish, hides
Import: foodstuffs, industrial
products, transport equipment, fuels |
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Location:
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Senegal
Area: total: 4,033 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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 one-party 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. Repeated droughts during the second half
of the 20th century caused significant hardship and
prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's
expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.
Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese
antecedents.
Independence Day: 5 July 1975
(from Portugal)
Capital City: Praia
Administrative divisions: 17
municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa
Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo,
Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao
Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente,
Tarrafal |
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