THE GEOGRAPHY (Foreign Office UK)
Area: 4,033 sq km; 1,557 sq mi
Population: 405,163 (July 2001): the
population is far outnumbered by the
size of the diaspora. At least 700,000
Cape Verdeans live outside the country
(especially in the US, Portugal). Their
remittances provide an important
source of revenue and investment.
Capital City: Praia
People: Almost all Cape Verdeans are a
mixture of African and Portuguese
origins in varying proportions.
Languages: Portuguese (official
language) and Crioulo, a local spoken
language, mixing Portuguese and West
African inputs.
Religion(s): Roman Catholic 95%,
Protestant & indigenous beliefs 5%
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Major political parties: African Party
for Independence of Cape Verde or
PAICV; Democratic Alliance for Change
or ADM (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and
UCID); Democratic Renovation Party or
PRD Movement for Democracy or
MPD; Party for Democratic
Convergence or PCD.
Government: African Party for
Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV)
GEOGRAPHY
Cape Verde consists of ten main islands
situated about 600 km off the
Senegalese coast (West Africa). The
climate is hot and dry; the islands
suffer periodically from drought.
THE HISTORY (Foreign Office UK)
The islands (then uninhabited) were
discovered and colonised by the
Portuguese in the fifteenth century.
They were used mainly to provide ship
bunkering facilities. Cape Verde
became independent in 1975. Until 1981,
the country was ruled by the PAIGC
(Partido Africano da Independencia da
Guine e Cabo Verde), a unified party
with Guinea-Bissau, both governments
working towards the eventual
unification of the two countries. A coup
in Guinea-Bissau brought this
association to an end. In 1981, the Cape
Verdean wing of the PAIGC became the
PAICV (the African Party for the
Independence of Cape Verde). Cape
Verde continued to be ruled by
President Aristides Pereira and PAICV
until 1991.
THE ECONOMY (Foreign Office UK)
Basic Economic Facts
GDP per Head: US$ 1,500 ( 2001 est.)
Annual Growth: 3.0% ( 2001 est.)
Inflation: 3.0% (2001 est.)
Major Industries: Primary (Agriculture
11%): bananas, corn, beans, sweet
potatoes, sugarcane coffee, peanuts,
fish. Secondary (Industries 17%): fuel,
shoes, garments and hides. Tertiary
(Services 72%): commerce, tourism,
transport, public services.
Major Trading Partners:
Export/Import partners include
Portugal, Germany, Spain, France and
Malaysia. Main destination of exports:
Portugal (53.3%), UK (26.6%) and US
(3.3%). Main origins of imports:
Portugal (54%), Netherlands (10.5%)
and Italy (6.5%).
Exchange rate: ú1 = 179.064 (CVE)
Trade Partners UK Country Profile:
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is poor in resources,
including serious water shortages
caused by cycles of long-term drought
and food production capacity (the
country is a regular recipient of food
aid). The agriculture and fishing
sectors have greater potential but
Cape Verde's economy is mainly
service-orientated with tourism,
commerce and public services
accounting for 70% of GDP. The tourist
industry is benefiting from major
investment from the government and
the remittances from Cape Verdeans
living overseas.
The country's economy has been
generally well managed since
independence. It has a low debt service
ratio and excellent repayment record.
Cape Verde is currently pursuing a
privatisation programme.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Due to its history and geographic
position, Cape Verde has little in
common with her nearest neighbours
in West Africa. Many Cape Verdeans
retain closer links with the US and
Portugal. The bilateral relationship with
Portugal remains by far Cape Verde's
most important.
However the country has been a
member of the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS)
since 1977. Cape Verde will have to
make difficult decisions regarding its
Escudo as ECOWAS countries move
towards a single currency. Cape Verde
is also a member of the Community of
Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP)
and was President of the organisation
from 1996-98. Cape Verde continues to
try to develop its relations with other
Portuguese speaking African countries
û an Angolan company has a stake in
Cape Verde's state petrol supplier.
Cape Verde has also been a full
member of 'la Francophonie' since
1996.
Flags Of The World: Republic of Cape Verde
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