Cape Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. It consists of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres.
๐ Geography and Location
The archipelago lies between 600 and 850 kilometres west of Cap-Vert, the westernmost point of continental Africa. Cape Verde forms part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, along with the Azores, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Savage Isles.
๐ History and Discovery
The archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers settled the islands. It was discovered by Genoese and Portuguese navigators around 1456. In 1462, Portuguese settlers arrived at Santiago and founded Ribeira Grande, the first permanent European settlement in the tropics.
โ Slave Trade and Economy
Its strategic position gave it a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade during the 16th and 17th centuries. By the mid 19th century, increased foreign competition, persistent drought, and the decline of the slave trade led to economic decline and emigration.
๐๏ธ Independence and Government
Cape Verde became independent in 1975. Since the early 1990s, it has been a stable representative democracy. Cape Verde is a stable semi-presidential representative democratic republic.
๐ฅ Population and Language
With a population of around 491,233 as of 2021, Cape Verde is among the least populous countries in Africa. The official language is Portuguese, while the recognized national language is Cape Verdean Creole, spoken by the vast majority.
๐๏ธ Islands and Cities
The most populous islands were Santiago, Sรฃo Vicente, Santo Antรฃo, Fogo and Sal. The largest cities are Praia, Mindelo, Espargos and Assomada.
๐ก๏ธ Military and Security
The military of Cape Verde consists of the National Guard and the Coast Guard. Having fought their only battles in the war for independence against Portugal, the efforts of the Cape Verdean armed forces have turned to combatting international drug trafficking.
| Category | Fact | Category | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Cabo Verde | Land Area | 4,033 kmยฒ |
| Population (2021) | 491,233 | Official Language | Portuguese |
| Independence | 1975 | Capital | Praia |
| Government | Semi-presidential republic | Largest Island | Santiago |