Geography

Cape Verde has a total land area of 1,557 square miles (4,033 square kilometers) and lies 385 miles (620 kilometers) off the mainland of Africa. There are ten islands and five rocky islets divided into the Windward (Barlavento) and Leeward (Sotavento) groups.

The Windward islands are mountainous while the Leeward islands are made up of flat plains and lowlands. They were all formed by volcanoes. On most of the islands, cliffs rise steeply from the sea. There are no permanent streams on the mountainous islands, and water flows only when it rains. Fogo Island has an active volcano that last erupted in 1951. At an elevation of 9,281 feet (2,829 meters), it is the highest point of the archipelago.

Moderate, stable temperatures and extreme dryness characterize the climate of Cape Verde. February is the coolest month, with an average temperature of 71° F (22° C), and September is the warmest, with an average of 80° F (27° C). The islands are almost constantly under the influence of a dry northeast wind. There is almost no rainfall, except for a period from August through October, when an average of 1.6 inches (39 millimeters) a month is recorded. These rains can be absent for years at a time.

Plants and animals

Grasses and some pine trees are found on the windward slopes of most of the larger islands, where there is more rainfall. The leeward slopes generally experience desert conditions, and the sparse shrub cover almost disappears. The shrubs remaining in these dry areas are mostly thorny or bitter; some are poisonous. A sea mist on the higher hills permits some agriculture, and crops are grown on the irrigated valley bottoms.

The water shortage limits the number of land turtles in the archipelago, but two species of sea turtles lay their eggs on the sandy shores of the uninhabited islets. There are many geckos, lizards, and several species of skinks. There are also 19 known species of butterflies, all of African origin, and 105 known species of birds. The long-eared bat is the only mammal native to Cape Verde.

People and culture

More than two thirds of Cape Verde's population is Creole, or of mixed African and European descent. Most of the remainder is black African; there is a small percentage of Europeans. Most people speak Crioulo, one of the oldest of the Portuguese dialects. Portuguese is used on formal occasions and for most written material. The majority of the population is officially Roman Catholic, but some people still practice traditional African religions. Most of the population lives in small villages or the countryside. The capital, Praia, is the largest city with about 95,000 people in 2000.

Portuguese customs and culture have influenced the islands, but they are blended with African traditions as well. Popular culture demonstrates the African heritage. There is a rich body of oral narratives. Improvised singing is a feature of social gatherings and festivities. The morna, a melancholic song form expressing the sorrows of emigration and love, is unique to Cape Verde.

Economy

Only about one tenth of Cape Verde's land area is suitable for growing crops. Much of the nation's food is imported. Large-scale international efforts to provide food helped prevent widespread starvation during several severe droughts in the 1970s. The country set up plants to remove salt from seawater on the islands of São Vicente and Sal in order to reduce severe water shortages. Crops grown and eaten on the islands include coconuts, corn, bananas, and sweet potatoes.

Fuel, clothing, fish, bananas, and animal hides are chief exports from Cape Verde. The country's main industries include fish processing, textiles, salt mining, and ship repair.

History

The Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. Portuguese settlers landed on São Tiago in 1462 and eventually founded the city of Ribeira Grande. Ribeira Grande's importance and wealth grew with the development of the slave trade. The city was attacked by pirates in 1541 and by the English in 1585 and 1592. After a French attack in 1712, the city was finally abandoned. The islands declined after the slave trade was abolished in the 19th century. The region also suffered from drought and famine made worse by government corruption.

The end of the 19th century saw some improvement: The islands' position on the great trade routes between Europe, South America, and South Africa brought renewed prosperity. In 1961, all the citizens of Cape Verde were granted Portuguese citizenship. On July 5, 1975, Cape Verde became an independent republic, with Aristides Pereira as the first president.

The country's policy of neutrality under President Pereira, who served from 1975 to 1990, inspired the confidence of both moderate African leaders and leaders of the Western powers. Cape Verde thus became a frequent host to international summit meetings. The country had only one legal political party until 1991, when the first multiparty elections took place. The island republic is a member of the African Union (formerly the Organization of African Unity) and of the United Nations. Population (2000 estimate), 401,000.