Cape Verde

Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
Location: Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. Area: Total: 4,033 sq km, water: 0 sq km, land: 4,033 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly larger than Rhode Island. Coastline: 965 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very errati.c Terrain: Steep, rugged, rocky, and volcanic. Natural resources: Salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish. Natural hazards: Prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active. Geography - note: Strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.
People: Population: 412,137. Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%. Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene). Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words).
Government: Republic. Capital: Praia. Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal).
Economy overview: This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 2003 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 60,935. Telephones - mobile cellular: 28,119. Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 15 (and 17 repeaters). Radios: 100,000. Television broadcast stations: 1 (and 7 repeaters). Televisions: 15,000. Internet users: 12,000. Highways: Total: 1,100 km, paved: 858 km. unpaved: 242 km. Waterways: none Airports - with paved runways: 6.