Country Guide • Cape Verde
Cape Verde is made up of ten islands and five islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. Uninhabited upon their discovery in 1456, the Cape Verde islands became part of the Portuguese empire in 1495. A majority of today's inhabitants are of mixed Portuguese and African ancestry.
| Official Name | Republic of Cape Verde |
|---|---|
| Area | 4,033km² (1,557mile²) |
| Population | 412,000 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 265 |
| Capital City | Praia |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 98% although many have indigenous beliefs too |
| Language | Portuguese, Criuolo |
| Government | Republic |
| Currency | Cape Verdean Escudo |
| GDP | $600 million |
| GDP per Head | $1,500 |
| Natural Resources | Basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish and salt |
| Land Use | Arable Land 10% |
| Agriculture | Bananas, beans, coffee, corn, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, peanuts and fish |
| Industry | Food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and clothing, salt mining and ship repairing |
| Tourism | The best time to visit Cape Verde is from August to October, when the weather is pleasantly warm. There's great beaches, good diving and hiking, lively nightlife and plenty of unspoiled areas to explore too |
| Natural Hazards | Droughts |
| Health Risks | Yellow fever |
| Climate | Cape Verde has a tropical climate with two seasons. A cool dry season from December to June and a warm season between July and November. Rainfall is low with most of it occurring during August and September. Tropical heat and high humidity throughout the year make conditions fairly uncomfortable except when fanned by the north east sea breezes. Average temperature ranges in Praia are from 19 to 25°C in February or March to 24 to 29°C in October |
| Time | GMT/UTC-1 hours |
| National Days | July 5 |
| Visas | All visitors to Cape Verde require visas |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
