Cape Verde

Cape Verde

Introduction

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.

Geography

Location

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 4,033 sq km
country comparison to the world: 176 land:4,033 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

965 km

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm

Climate

temperate

warm, dry summer

precipitation meager and erratic

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

Natural resources

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Land use

arable land: 11.41%
permanent crops:0.74%
other:87.85% (2005)

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

0.3 cu km (1990)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.02cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)
per capita:39cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

prolonged droughts

seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust

volcanically and seismically active
volcanism:Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cape Verde’s only active volcano

Environment – current issues

soil erosion

deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel

water shortages

desertification

environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles

illegal beach sand extraction

overfishing

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes

important communications station

important sea and air refueling site

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective:Cape Verdean

Ethnic groups

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Languages

Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Religions

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Population

516,100 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Age structure

0-14 years: 32.6% (male 84,545/female 83,718)
15-64 years:61.9% (male 154,697/female 164,917)
65 years and over:5.5% (male 10,648/female 17,575) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 22.7 years
male:21.9 years
female:23.5 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.446% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Birth rate

21.47 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Death rate

6.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154

Net migration rate

-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Urbanization

urban population: 61% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

PRAIA (capital) 125,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.61 male(s)/female
total population:0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

94 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 74

Infant mortality rate

total: 26.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 77 male:30.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female:22.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.7 years
country comparison to the world: 143 male:68.51 years
female:72.96 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.49 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 165

Physicians density

0.572 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 119

Hospital bed density

2.07 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 101

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 85% of population
rural: 82% of population
total: 84% of population
unimproved:
urban: 15% of population
rural: 17% of population
total: 16% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 65% of population
rural: 38% of population
total: 54% of population
unimproved:
urban: 35% of population
rural: 62% of population
total: 46% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.04% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

775 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 147

HIV/AIDS – deaths

225 (as of 2001)
country comparison to the world: 100

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:76.6%
male:85.8%
female:69.2% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:11 years
female:12 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form:Cape Verde
local long form:Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form:Cabo Verde

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Praia
geographic coordinates:14 55 N, 23 31 W
time difference:UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Independence

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution

25 September 1992

a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president

a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Legal system

civil law system of Portugal

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011)
head of government:Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 7 August 2011 with a second round runoff on 21 August 2011

prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
election results:percent of vote (second round) – Jorge Carlos FONSECA 53.4%, Manuel Inocencio SOUSA 46.6%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 6 February 2011 (next to be held by 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PAICV 38, MPD 32, UCID 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Court of Audit

Military Courts

Fiscal and Customs Courts

Political parties and leaders

African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]

Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]

Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]

Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]

Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]

Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]

Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: environmentalists

political pressure groups

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA
chancery:3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 965-6820
FAX:[1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general:Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

Charge d’Affaires Dana BROWN
embassy:Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia
mailing address:C. P. 201, Praia
telephone:[238] 2-60-89-00
FAX:[238] 2-61-13-55

Flag description

five unequal horizontal bands

the top-most band of blue – equal to one half the width of the flag – is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width

a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side

blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)

National anthem

name: “Cantico da Liberdade” (Song of Freedom)
lyrics/music:Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
note:adopted 1996

Economy

Economy – overview

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought and poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands. The economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. 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 its large pool of emigrants

remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Despite the lack of resources, sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes. Continued 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. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.908 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187 $1.81 billion (2009 est.)
$1.747 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.651 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

5.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63 3.6% (2009 est.)
6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$3,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158 $3,600 (2009 est.)
$3,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 8.9%
industry:16.1%
services:75.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 170

Unemployment rate

21% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Population below poverty line

30% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%:40.6% (2000)

Investment (gross fixed)

36.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Budget

revenues: $559.7 million
expenditures:$785.5 million (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67 1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 7.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 11% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$640.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156 $659.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.441 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150 $1.467 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.295 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147 $1.317 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Agriculture – products

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts

fish

Industries

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity – production

256.5 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity – consumption

238.6 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Oil – consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Oil – imports

2,336 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Current account balance

-$219.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89 -$154 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$97.8 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190 $91 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports – partners

Spain 61.9%, Portugal 16.6%, Morocco 6.9% (2010)

Imports

$796.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178 $720.6 million (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports – partners

Portugal 41.6%, Netherlands 17.7%, Spain 6.9%, China 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$394.2 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153 $366 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$325 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 173

Exchange rates

Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar -
88.58 (2010)
79.38 (2009)
73.84 (2008)
81.235 (2007)
87.946 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

10 (2010)
country comparison to the world:157

Airports – with paved runways

total: 9
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:2 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 1
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 1,350 km
country comparison to the world: 178 paved:932 km
unpaved:418 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 13
country comparison to the world: 104 by type:cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7
foreign-owned:3 (Spain 1, UK 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Porto Grande

Military

Military branches

Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard), Cape Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV

includes naval infantry) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service

14-month conscript service obligation (2006)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 132,087
females age 16-49:136,956 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 106,864
females age 16-49:117,518 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 6,029
female:6,026 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 163

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau

has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)