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Cape Verde

For the surface feature on Mars, see Cape Verde (Mars). República de Cabo Verde Republic of Cape Verde FlagNational Emblem
Anthem: Cântico da Liberdade
Capital
(and largest city) Praia
14°55′N, 23°31′W Official languages Portuguese Recognised regional languages Cape Verdean Creole Demonym Cape Verdean Government Republic  -  President Pedro Pires  -  Prime Minister José Maria Neves Independence from Portugal   -  Recognised July 5, 1975  Area  -  Total 4,033 km² (172nd)
1,557 sq mi   -  Water (%) negligible Population  -  2008 estimate 499.796 (165th)  -  2000 census 436.821   -  Density 126/km² (79th)
326/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate  -  Total $3.905 billion (157th)  -  Per capita $7,904 (90th) HDI (2007) ▲ 0.736 (medium) (102nd) Currency Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Time zone CVT (UTC-1)  -  Summer (DST) not observed (UTC-1) Internet TLD .cv Calling code +238

The Republic of Cape Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde, IPA: ['kabu 'veɾdɨ]), is a republic located on an archipelago in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century (though there may have been earlier discoveries), and attained independence in 1975.

Contents

Naming

Cape Verde is named after Cap Vert (meaning Green Cape) in Senegal, the westernmost point of continental Africa. The country's name can be pronounced many ways in English. Cape is pronounced like the article of clothing, and Verde is pronounced either to rhyme with "bird", "birdy", "bear D", or "bear day". "Cabo" is not used in English.

History

Main article: History of Cape Verde

Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in 1460 and made the islands part of the Portuguese empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde became an important watering station, then sugar cane plantation site, and later a major hub of the trans-atlantic slave trade, that would later form the contemporary African Diaspora.

In 1975, Cape Verde achieved independence from Portugal after a long armed struggle in the jungles of Guinea-Bissau. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was the main entity responsible for the independence of Cape Verde. Moreover, the people's revolutionary armed forces of Cuba, too, played a role in the Cape Verdean independence armed struggle in Guinea-Bissau. After independence, the PAIGC attempted to unite Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau into one nation, the PAIGC controlling both governments, but a coup in the latter nation in 1980 ended these plans. As a result, the G, standing for Guinea-Bissau, in PAIGC was dropped. Consequently, PAICV (African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde) was formed. In Cape Verde the PAICV (affiliated with the PAIGC) governed until democratic elections, held in 1991, resulted in a change of government. The Movimento para a Democracia (MPD) won that election. The MPD was re-elected in 1996. The PAICV returned to power in 2001, and was re-elected in 2006.

Politics

Current president of Cape Verde, Pedro Pires, meeting with Brazilian president Lula da Silva.
Main article: Politics of Cape Verde

Politics of Cape Verde takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Cape Verde is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is held by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Municipalities and parishes

Main article: Administrative divisions of Cape Verde

Cape Verde is divided into 22 municipalities (concelhos), and subdivided into 32 parishes (freguesias).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Cape Verde
Cape Verde satellite image

Cape Verde is an archipelago off the west coast of Africa at 15.02N, 23.34W. It is formed by 10 main islands and about 8 islets. The main islands are:

Of these, only Santa Luzia and the five islets are uninhabited. Presently it is a natural reserve. All islands are volcanic, but an active volcano only exists on one of the islands, Fogo (see Mount Fogo).

Environment

The isolation of Cape Verde about 500 km (310 mi) from the African mainland has resulted in the islands having a large number of endemic species, many of which are endangered by human development. Endemic birds include Alexander's Swift (Apus alexandri), Raso Lark (Alauda razae), Cape Verde Warbler (Acrocephalus brevipennis), and Iago Sparrow (Passer iagoensis),[1] and reptiles include the Cape Verde Giant Gecko (Tarentola gigas).

Charles Darwin gives a vivid description of the geology, climate, zoology and botany of the islands in the first chapter of his book The Voyage of the Beagle.

Climate

Cape Verde is in the tropical zone. Average temperatures range from 24 °C (75 °F) in January and February to 29 °C (85 °F) in September. The average annual rainfall for Cape Verde is 68.4 mm (2.7 in), with September being the wettest month with 33.6 mm (1.3 in). Conversely, the months April to July record less than one millimetre of rainfall each. The climate is arid, but Cape Verde's position in the Atlantic contributes to soften the aridity, that otherwise would be the same aridity as that in continental areas.

Economy

1000 CVE bank note issued in 1992
Main article: Economy of Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a small nation that lacks resources and has experienced severe droughts. Agriculture is made difficult by lack of rain and is restricted to only four islands for most of the year. Most of the nation's GDP comes from the service industry. Cape Verde's economy has grown since the late 1990s, and it is now considered a country of average development. Cape Verde has significant cooperation with Portugal at every level of the economy, which has led it to link its currency first to the Portuguese escudo and, in 1999, to the euro.

Former Portuguese prime minister José Manuel Durão Barroso, now (second semester 2004) president of the European Commission, has promised to help integrate Cape Verde within the European Union sphere of influence via greater cooperation with Portugal. In March 2005, former Portuguese president Mário Soares launched a petition urging the European Union to start membership talks with Cape Verde.

In 2007 the United Nations graduated Cape Verde from the category of Least Developed Countries, only the second time this has happened to a country.[2]

Cape Verde has been on the list of the United Nations Small Island Developing States, and is considered a Developing country in economic terms.

On 18 December 2007, the General Council of the World Trade Organization approved a package for the accession of Cape Verde to the WTO. Accession will be effective 30 days after it is ratified by Cape Verde, which must take place by 30 June 2008. The package requires Cape Verde to adapt some of its economic regulation. In particular, it will need to introduce a new Customs Code, and to introduce copyright and patent laws complying with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights[3].

Demographics

Local people from Santiago island Population pyramid, 2005
Main article: Demographics of Cape Verde

Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are a genetic blend of Sub-Saharan Africans and Europeans, the Africans having been slaves and hailing mostly from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Cape Verdeans' European ancestors include Portuguese settlers and exiles, Portuguese Jews who were victims of the Inquisition, and Spanish and Italian seamen who were granted land by the Portuguese Empire. Many foreigners from other parts of the world settled Cape Verde as their permanent country. Most of them were Dutch, French, British, Arabs and Jews (from Lebanon and Morocco), Chinese (especially from Macau), Americans, and Brazilians (including people of Portuguese and African descent) settlers. All of these have been absorbed into the general Cape Verdean population.

The majority of the population adheres to Christianity, mostly Catholicism which constitutes some 90% of the population (in many areas Catholicism and the indigenous religion are syncretised). The remaining includes a sizeable Protestant community as well as a small number of Bahá'í and Buddhist and even smaller Muslim groups.[4]

Cape Verde has been steadily developing[5] since its independence, and besides having been promoted to the group of "medium development" countries in 2007, leaving the Least Developed Countries category (which is only the second time it has happened to a country[6]), is currently the 5th best ranked country in Africa in terms of Human Development Index.

Cape Verdean diaspora

Main article: Cape Verdean diaspora

The Cape Verdean diaspora refers to both historical and present emigration from Cape Verde. Today, more Cape Verdeans live abroad than in Cape Verde itself, with significant emigrant Cape Verdean communities in the United States (500,000 Cape Verdeans), Portugal (80,000) and Angola (45,000) have large populations of Cape Verdeans. There are also significant number of Cape Verdeans in São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, France, Brazil, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Cape Verdean populations also settled Spain, Germany, and other CPLP countries such as Guinea-Bissau.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Cape Verde

The culture of Cape Verde reflects its mixed African and Portuguese roots. It is well known for its diverse forms of music such as Morna and a wide variety of dances: the soft dance Morna, and its modernized version, passada, the Funaná - a sensual mixed Portuguese and African dance, the extreme sensuality of coladeira, and the Batuque dance. These are reflective of the diverse origins of Cape Verde's residents. The term "Criolo" is used to refer to residents as well as the culture of Cape Verde.

Cape Verdean literature

Eugénio Tavares is one of the most well-known poets of the Cape Verdean literature
See also: List of African writers (by country)#Cape Verde

Cape Verdean literature is one of the richest of Lusitanian Africa.

Music

A group playing morna.
Main article: Music of Cape Verde

Cape Verde is known internationally for morna, a form of folk music usually sung in the Cape Verdean Creole, accompanied by clarinet, violin, guitar and cavaquinho. The islands also boast funaná and batuque music.

Cesária Évora is perhaps the best internationally-known practitioner of morna. Madonna is so inspired by her that she even purchased a house on the island of Sal.[citation needed]

Language

Main article: Cape Verdean Creole

Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese. It is the language of instruction and official acts. However, the Cape Verdean Creole is used colloquially and is the mother tongue of virtually all Cape Verdeans. Cape Verdean Creole or Kriolu is a dialect continuum of a Portuguese-based creole, which varies from island to island.

There is a substantial body of literature in Creole, especially in the Santiago Creole and the São Vicente Creole. Creole has been gaining prestige since the nation's independence from Portugal.

However, the differences between the varied forms of the language within the islands have been a major obstacle in the way of standardization of the language. Some people have advocated the development of two standards: a North (Barlavento) standard, centered on the São Vicente Creole, and a South (Sotavento) standard, centered on the Santiago Creole. Manuel Veiga, PhD, a linguist by training, and Minister of Culture of Cape Verde, is the premier proponent of Kriolu's officialization and standardization.

Transportation

São Pedro airport in São Vicente island
Main article: Transportation in Cape Verde

TACV Cabo Verde Airlines is a scheduled and charter, passenger and cargo airline based in Cape Verde. It is the national flag carrier of Cape Verde, operating an inter-island service and flights to Europe, North America, South America and the West African mainland. Its main base is Sal Airport (SID), with a hub at Praia Airport (RAI).

Newspapers

A Semana N° 495, 2001/03/02.

Online

Miscellaneous topics

An old postcard from São Vicente, Cape Verde.

References

  1. ^ Endemic Bird Areas: Cape Verde Islands
  2. ^ "UN advocate salutes Cape Verde’s graduation from category of poorest States", UN News Centre, 14 June 2007.
  3. ^ WTO press release on Cape Verde's accession
  4. ^ Cape Verde - Religion
  5. ^ Cape Verde HDI Trend from the 2007 Human Development Report country fact sheet
  6. ^ "UN advocate salutes Cape Verde’s graduation from category of poorest States", UN News Centre, 14 June 2007.

External links

Cape Verde Portal
Find more about Cape Verde on Wikipedia's sister projects: Dictionary definitionsTextbooksQuotationsSource textsImages and mediaNews storiesLearning resources
  Geographic locale v • d • eCountries of Africa

West Africa

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Central Africa

Angola · Burundi · Cameroon · Central African Republic · Chad · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · Republic of the Congo · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe

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Southern Africa

Botswana · Lesotho · Namibia · South Africa · Swaziland

DependenciesBritish Indian Ocean Territory (UK) · Canary Islands (Spain) · Ceuta (Spain) · Madeira (Portugal) · Mayotte (France) · Melilla (Spain) · Réunion (France) · St. Helena2 (UK) · Socotra (Yemen)UnrecognizedPuntland · Somaliland · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

1 Partly in Asia.  2 Includes the dependencies of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.

Coordinates: 15°06′40″N, 23°37′00″W

  International membership and history v • d • eAfrican Union (AU)

Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Libya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Nigeria · Rwanda · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Togo · Tunisia · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe

v • d • eCommunity of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)Members: Angola · Brazil · Cape Verde · East Timor · Guinea-Bissau · Mozambique · Portugal · São Tomé and PríncipeObservers: Equatorial Guinea · Mauritius
v • d • eSouth Atlantic Peace and Cooperation ZoneAngola • Argentina • Benin • Brazil • Cameroon • Cape Verde • Republic of the Congo • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Côte d'Ivoire • Equatorial Guinea • Gabon • The Gambia • Ghana • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Liberia • Namibia • Nigeria • São Tomé and Príncipe • Senegal • Sierra Leone • South Africa • Togo • Uruguay
v • d • eLatin Union

Andorra · Angola · Argentina · Bolivia · Brazil · Cape Verde · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Côte d'Ivoire · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · El Salvador · France · Guatemala · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Holy See · Honduras · Italy · Mexico · Moldova · Monaco · Mozambique · Nicaragua · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Portugal · Romania · San Marino · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Sovereign Military Order of Malta · Spain · Timor-Leste · Uruguay · Venezuela

Official languages: Catalan · French · Italian · Portuguese · Romanian · Spanish

v • d • ePortuguese EmpireNorth Africa 

15th century
1415–1640  Ceuta
1458–1550  Alcácer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir)
1471–1550  Arzila (Asilah)
1471–1662  Tangier
1485–1550  Mazagan (El Jadida)
1487- middle 16th century  Ouadane
1488–1541  Safim (Safi)

16th century
1505–1769  Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué (Agadir)
1506–1525  Mogador (Essaouira)
1506–1525  Aguz (Souira Guedima)
1506–1769  Mazagan (El Jadida)
1513–1541  Azamor (Azemmour)
1577–1589  Arzila (Asilah)

Sub-Saharan Africa 

15th century
1455–1633  Arguin
1470–1975  São Tomé1
1474–1778  Annobón
1478–1778  Fernando Poo (Bioko)
1482–1637  Elmina (São Jorge da Mina)
1482–1642  Portuguese Gold Coast
1496–1550  Madagascar (part)
1498–1540  Mascarene Islands

16th century
1500–1630  Malindi
1500–1975  Príncipe1
1501–1975  Portuguese E. Africa (Mozambique)
1502–1659  St. Helena
1503–1698  Zanzibar
1505–1512  Quíloa (Kilwa)
1506–1511  Socotra
1557–1578  Accra
1575–1975  Portuguese W. Africa (Angola)
1588–1974  Cacheu2
1593–1698  Mombassa (Mombasa)

17th century
1642–1975  Cape Verde
1645–1888  Ziguinchor
1680–1961  São João Baptista de Ajudá
1687–1974  Bissau2

18th century
1728–1729  Mombassa (Mombasa)
1753–1975  São Tomé and Príncipe

19th century
1879–1974  Portuguese Guinea
1885–1975  Portuguese Congo (Cabinda)

1 Part of São Tomé and Príncipefrom 1753.   2 Part of Portuguese Guineafrom 1879.
Southwest Asia 

16th century
1506–1615  Gamru (Bandar Abbas)
1507-1643  Sohar
1515–1622  Hormuz (Ormus)
1515-1648  Quriyat
1515-?   Qalhat
1515–1650  Muscat
1515?-?   Barka
1515-1633? Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah)
1521–1602  Bahrain (Al Muharraq and Manama)
1521-1529?  Qatif
1521?-1551? Tarut Island
1550-1551  Qatif
1588-1648  Matrah

17th century
1620-?   Khor Fakkan
1621?-?   As Sib
1621-1622  Qeshm
1623-?   Khasab
1623-?   Libedia
1624-?   Kalba
1624-?   Madha
1624-1648  Diba al-Hisn
1624?-?   Bandar-e Kong

Indian subcontinent 

15th century
1498–1545  Laccadive Islands (Lakshadweep)

16th century
Portuguese India
   1500–1663  Cochim (Kochi)
   1502–1661  Quilon (Coulão/Kollam)
   1502–1663  Cannanore (Kannur)
   1507–1657  Negapatam (Nagapattinam)
   1510–1962  Goa
   1512–1525  Calicut (Kozhikode)
   1518–1619  Paliacate (Pulicat)
   1521–1740  Chaul
   1523–1662  São Tomé de Meliapore
   1528–1666  Chittagong
   1534–1601  Salsette Island
   1534–1661  Bombay (Mumbai)
   1535–1739  Baçaím (Vasai-Virar)
   1536–1662  Cranganore (Kodungallur)
   1540–1612  Surat
   1548–1658  Tuticorin (Thoothukudi)
   1559–1962  Daman and Diu
   1568–1659  Mangalore
   1579–1632  Hughli
   1598–1610  Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam)
1518–1521  Maldives
1518–1658  Portuguese Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
1558–1573  Maldives

17th century
Portuguese India
   1687–1749  São Tomé de Meliapore

18th century
Portuguese India
   1779–1954  Dadra and Nagar Haveli

East Asia and Oceania 

16th century
1511–1641  Portuguese Malacca
1512–1621  Banda Islands
1512–1621  Moluccas (Maluku Islands)
   1522–1575  Ternate
   1576–1605  Ambon
   1578–1650  Tidore
1512–1665  Makassar
1553–1999  Macau
1533-1545  Ning-po
1571–1639  Decima (Dejima, Nagasaki)

17th century
1642–1975  Portuguese Timor (East Timor)1


19th century
Macau
   1864–1999  Coloane
   1851–1999  Taipa
   1890–1999  Ilha Verde

20th century
Macau
   1938–1941  Lapa and Montanha (Hengqin)

1 1975 is the date of East Timor's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, the independence of East Timor was recognized by Portugal and the rest of the world.

North America and the North Atlantic Ocean 

15th century
1420           Madeira
1432           Azores

16th century
1500–1579?  Terra Nova (Newfoundland)
1500-1579?  Labrador
1516–1579?  Nova Scotia

Central and South America 

16th century
1500–1822  Brazil
1536–1620  Barbados

17th century
1680–1777  Nova Colônia do Sacramento


19th century
1808–1822  Cisplatina (Uruguay)

Portuguese colonization of the Americas Categories: Cape Verde | Economic Community of West African States | Member states of La Francophonie | Portuguese-speaking countries | Former Portuguese colonies | Island countries | Islands in the North Atlantic | Islands of MacaronesiaHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since May 2008

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