Cape Verde Overview

Cape Verde is an archipelago in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa. White sandy beaches, dramatic mountain landscapes and an often ideal holiday climate mean that more and more tourists are attracted to the country.

Capital: Praia
Biggest city: Praia
State: republic
Language: Portuguese
Religion: catholicism
Surface: 4 033 km²
Population: 531,000 (2013)
Population density: 106 residents per km²
Life expectancy: 72 years
Illiteracy: 23%
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
1 escudo = 0.09 kr
GDP per capita: $ 3,700 (2010)
Time difference: -2 hours
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz
National Day: July 5th
Country area code: 238
2-Letter country abbreviation: CV (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder)
Business: agriculture 52%, service sector 25%, industry 23%
Climate: desert climate with hot, dry summers

Cape Verde flag

Cape Verde is located 560 km from Dakar in Senegal, and is the westernmost country in Africa. The archipelago was discovered by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, and for several centuries the islands were used for the slave trade. The country became independent in 1975, and is today considered to be the region’s most developed country, with high stability and a well-run economy.

In 2008, the UN stopped counting Cape Verde as one of the least developed countries in the world, and now counts Cape Verde as a lower middle-income country. Despite this, every fourth resident lives below the national poverty line. There are large regional differences, where the cities of Praia and Mindelo are relatively prosperous, while the countryside is still severely neglected.

Cape Verde consists of 15 islands, of which nine are inhabited. There are regular ferry trips between most of the islands. The most important ports are Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Praia on the island of Santiago and Palmeira on the island of Sal.

Santiago is the most populous and largest island, and here is the capital Praia and many of the country’s historical sights. Africa’s first Catholic was built here in the 1460s, and Santiago is where you can most clearly see the African influences.

Sal is the island where the Amílcar Cabral International Airport is located. Here is the resort of Santa Maria with its beaches, hotels and restaurants. The beaches are often described as stunningly beautiful.

São Vicente is the country’s cultural center with the music city of Mindelo. São Vicente is the island where you can clearly see the Portuguese influences.

The majority of the residents are descendants of Portuguese and African slaves. The two ethnic groups have been mixed over the years, and now just over two thirds of the Cape values ​​are Creoles, of mixed European and African origin.

WORLD HERITAGE

The following objects in Cape Verde are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.

  • The town of Cidade Velha on the island of Santiago (2009)

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Cape Verde

Voltage: 220 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: C, F

Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Praia

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Christmas Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature °C 24 23 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 27 26
Soltim / day 10 10 11 11 11 10 9 7 8 9 10 9

Cape Verde 2

Mindelo

Mindelo is a port city in Cape Verde, and is the country’s second largest city after the capital Praia. The city has 74,993 residents (2008). Mindelo is located on the island of São Vicente and is usually considered the cultural capital of Cape Verde. Many of the country’s musicians come from here.

Praia

According to Countryaah, Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, with 121,286 residents (2008). The city is located on the island of Santiago, and houses the island’s ferry port and one of the country’s three international airports. The city center is called Platô as it is located on a smaller plateau.

Praia is the country’s commercial center, and its main exports consist of coffee, sugar and tropical fruits. The city also has a fishing industry, and several beaches.

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