Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal. It comprises 10 volcanic islands and five islets in two groups: the Balavento (Windwards) and the Sotavento (Leewards). There are many superb diving sites around the islands, several of which have shipwrecks dating back to the 16th century. Windsurfing opportunities are also excellent. Many of the islands have spectacular mountain scenery and beautiful deserted beaches, such as Tarrafal on São Tiago. San Filipe has a spectacular volcano and fine beaches. There are good markets on some of the islands, and a number of colourful festivals. Mindelo on São Vincente, with its Portuguese-style buildings, is worth a visit. The main local culinary speciality is cachupa, a mix of maize and beans. Fruits include mangoes, bananas, papayas, goiabas (guavas), zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas, tamaras and cocos. Beer, wine and local spirits are commonly available and punch is a popular beverage. The nightlife is mainly centred around the discos in hotels and several nightclubs.

Atlantic Ocean, off coast of West Africa.

GMT - 1.

4033 sq km (1557 sq miles).

482,000 (2005).

112.5 per sq km.

Cidade de Praia. Population: 106,757 (2005).

Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal and comprises 10 volcanic islands and five islets in two groups: Balavento (Windwards) and Sotavento (Leewards). In the former group are the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista, along with the smaller islands of Branco and Raso; the Sotavento group comprises the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava, along with the smaller islands of Rei and Rombo. Most have mountain peaks; the highest being Pico do Cano, an active volcano, which is on Fogo. The islands are generally rocky and eroded, and have never been able to support more than subsistence agriculture (maize, bananas, sugar cane and coffee are the main crops); low rainfall over the last 10 years has crippled food production and forced the islands to depend on international aid.

Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Pedro Pires since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister José Maria Neves since 2001. Recent history: The MPD held onto both Presidency and National Assembly in 1995 but lost both to the PAICV at the most recent elections in early 2001. The extremely close Presidential race was won by the PAICV’s Pedro Rodrigues Pires with a margin of just 17 votes over the MPD’s Carlos de Carvalho. Cape Verde has pursued a determinedly non-aligned foreign policy, reflected in its being chosen as mediator in the settlement of a variety of international disputes, including Angola. More recently, in 1998, it hosted talks to reach a settlement of the conflict in Guinea Bissau. Cape Verde maintains close relations with Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking African countries in the PALOP group (Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé).
A new constitution introduced in 1992 allows for the election of an Assembleia Nacional (National Assembly) with 79 deputies and a President who serves as Head of State, both elected by adult suffrage for five-year terms.

The official language is Portuguese. Creole is spoken by most of the inhabitants. Some English, French, German and Spanish are widely spoken.

92.8 per cent of the population are Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority of one per cent.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

The usual European social courtesies should be observed.