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CAPE VERDIAN Facts & Figures

Size: 4,033 km²

Population: 567,000

Capital: Praia

Weather / Climate:

Cape Verde's climate is milder than that of the African mainland because the surrounding sea moderates temperatures on the islands.^[10] Average daily high temperatures range from 25 °C (77 °F) in January to 29 °C (84.2 °F) in September.^[9] Cape Verde is part of the Sahelian arid belt, with nothing like the rainfall levels of nearby West Africa.^[10] It does rain irregularly between August and October, with frequent brief-but-heavy downpours.^[10] A desert is usually defined as terrain which receives less than 250 mm (9.8 in) of annual rainfall. Cape Verde's total (261 mm/10.3 in) is slightly above this criterion, which makes the area climate semi-desert.

Hurricanes that form near the Cape Verde Islands are sometimes referred to as Cape Verde-type hurricanes. These hurricanes can become very intense as they cross warm Atlantic waters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde

CAPE VERDIAN languages

Although the official language is Portuguese, most Cape Verdeans speak Cape Verdean Creole (Crioulo in Portuguese, Kriolu or Kriol in Cape Verdean Creole). There is a rich repertoire of literature and songs in Creole. In religion, the majority follow Roman Catholic Christianity. There are also some Protestants, Bahá'ís and Muslims.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Cape_Verde

CAPE VERDIAN culture

The former Portuguese colony comprises 10 islands and five islets, all but three of which are mountainous. Poor in natural resources, prone to drought and with little arable land, the Cape Verde islands have won a reputation for achieving political and economic stability.

From the mid-1990s, droughts cut the islands' grain crop by 80%, and in 2002 the government appealed for international food aid after the harvest failed. Today, more people with origins in Cape Verde live outside the country than inside it. The money that they send home brings in much-needed foreign currency. Nonetheless, Cape Verde enjoys a per capita income that is higher than that of many continental African nations. It has sought closer economic ties with the US, EU and Portugal.

In 2008 Cape Verde became only the second country after Botswana to be promoted by the United Nations out of the ranks of the 50 least developed countries. In recent years it has seen economic growth averaging 6%, the construction of three international airports and hundreds of kilometres of roads. Tourism is on the rise, but there are concerns that it poses a threat to the Cape Verde's rich marine life. It is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles and humpback whales feed in the islands' waters. Many might argue that Cape Verde's isolation is a blessing, leaving these islands unspoiled and comparatively undiscovered; however, the government is focused on attracting tourists to the islands, and with the beauty of its scenery, friendliness of its people and its vibrant Creole culture, they should have no problem in succeeding.

The Portuguese discovered what is now Cape Verde in the 15th century. By the late 15th century, settlement began on São Tiago, which later became used as a supply point for slaves traded to Brazil and the West Indies. In 1951, Cape Verde was redefined as an overseas province, from its previous status as a colony. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the islands were used as a garrison by the Portuguese army, while many members of the growing independence movement fled to Guinea-Bissau, to form the Partido Africano da Independência do Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) under revolutionary leader Amilcar Cabral.

Cape Verde became independent in 1975, a year after its sister colony, Guinea-Bissau, won freedom from Portugal. The two countries planned to unite, but the plan was ditched after a coup in Guinea-Bissau in 1980 strained relations.

At the turn of the 1990s, the Government held elections in February 1991. The Movimento para Democracia (MPD) won both the legislature and the race for the Presidency. The MPD held onto both Presidency and national assembly in 1995, but lost both to the PAICV in 2001, when José Maria Pereira Neves was named prime minister. The PAICV also won the most recent parliamentary election in 2006.

The islands are a bewitching blend of Portuguese and African influences, as seen in the many European –style buildings dotted amongst the ever-changing landscape, the unique musical styles, and the fascinating mixture of African and European custom and conduct. It's most obvious in the foods on offer, with Portuguese foods (such as fish- and seafood-based dishes, olive oil, garlic, lemon and sausage) and African foods (stews, beans, maize and tropical crops) comfortably combined on most menus.

Many visitors' first impression of Cape Verde comes through the mournful songs of Cesaria Evoria, the island's best known singer. The ‘barefoot diva' is the best exponent of morna, a lovelorn type of folk music similar to Portuguese fado. Music is a key component of life on Cape Verde, and several islands stage exuberant carnivals, with the best known being the Baia das Gatas Festival.

Once a former colony and slave trade outpost, Cape Verde vary wildly in character and scenery, from spectacular verdant mountain ranges, to deserted beaches, with a some volcanic landscapes thrown in for good measure. It’s this variety that makes Cape Verde such an unusual and appealing destination.

There’s lush and lively Santiago, the biggest of the islands at 991 sq km (383 sq miles) which, replete with lush green hillside is great for keen hikers eager to trek through jungle and spot some native wildlife. It’s also the cultural heart of Cape Verde, having been the primary location of the slave trade during its height, and is home to the UNESCO world heritage old fort site at Cidade Velha. Divers are in for a treat; here 16th century shipwrecks litter the sea floor and these are open to curious members of the public wanting to explore.

Alternatively, divers can head to the quiet islet of Boa Vista where there are numerous opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling – look out for eels, yellow-fin tuna and the odd humpback whale in the clear blue waters. The island of Sal is also popular for water sports such as windsurfing and sailing, but it’s the white sandy beaches that will appeal to those wanting to relax completely. The adventurous should hop on a boat to the island of Fogo, another hiker’s paradise, where volcanic peaks tower 2800m (9186 ft) above sea- level; make sure you take a guide.

There are also good markets on some of the islands. São Vicente’s is renowned for its exuberant Carnival, whilst the Baia das Gatas Festival is a more traditional affair but one that still has people boogieing until the early hours to Cape-Verdean rhythms.

92.8% of the population is Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority of 1%. The usual European social courtesies should be observed.

Holidays

· 01 January – New Year's Day

· 20 January – Heroes’ Day

· 16 February – Carnival

· 01 May – Labour Day

· 19 May – Municipal Day

· 05 July – Independence Day

· 15 August – Assumption, Day of Our Lady of Grace

· 12 September – National Day

· 01 November – All Saints’ Day

· 25 December – Christmas Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

CAPE VERDIAN people

The Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited when the Portuguese discovered it in 1456. African slaves were brought to the islands to work on Portuguese plantations. As a result, Cape Verdeans are mulattos (mestiços in Portuguese), who have mixed African and European origins. European ancestors also include Spanish and Italian seamen who were granted land by the Portuguese Empire, followed by Portuguese settlers, exiles, and Portuguese Jews who were victims of the Inquisition. Many foreigners from other parts of the world settled Cape Verde as their permanent country. Most of them were Dutch, French, British (English), Arab and Jewish (from Lebanon and Morocco), Chinese (especially from Macau), American, and Brazilian (including people of Portuguese and African descent). All of these have been absorbed into the mestiço population.

Statistics from Portuguese administration in the sixties stated that the racial composition of the inhabitants was 78% of mestiços, 21% of “Africans” (i.e. blacks) and 1% of “Europeans” (i.e. whites). Those figures have been overused in several sites, in spite of not being up to date. Since the independence in 1975 the official statistics in Cape Verde have no longer made statistics based on racial groups. Official sources^[1] only states “the majority of the population is mulatto” (“…maioritariamente mestiça…”) without stating any number. Ethnically, Cape Verdeans see themselves as a single group, regardless of being mulatto, black or white.

Survival in a country with few natural resources has historically induced Cape Verdeans to emigrate. In fact, of the more than 1 million people of Cape Verdean ancestry in the world, only a little more than one-third actually live on the islands. Some 500,000 people of Cape Verdean ancestry live in the United States, mainly in New England. Many people of Cape Verdean ancestry also live in Portugal, Netherlands, France, Italy, Argentina, and Senegal. Cape Verdean populations also settled Spain, Germany, Canada, and other CPLP countries (Angola, Brazil and Guinea-Bissau). Since after independence from Portugal in 1975, a number of Cape Verdean students continued to be admitted every year at Portuguese high schools, polytechnical institutes and universities, through bilateral agreements between the Portuguese Government and the Cape Verdean Government.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Cape_Verde

CAPE VERDIAN food

The Cape Verde diet is mostly based on fish and staple foods like corn and rice. Vegetables available during most of the year are potatoes, onions, tomatoes, manioc, cabbage, kale, and dried beans. Fruits such as banana and papayas are available year-round, while others like mangos and avocados are seasonal.^[10]

Cape Verdean Dishes:

Cachupa Rica - A slow boiled stew with maize, sweet potato, pumpkin, vegetables, fish, meat or chicken.

Perceves (Sea Fingers) - Funnily enough they look like purply brown fingers. You crack off the end and peel the skin to reveal the meat (similar texture to squid).

Tuna - The freshest you could ever imagine, cooked in a variety of different ways.

Local Drinks

Grogue - locally produced from sugar cane to make this strong alcoholic drink.

Fogo wine - Very pleasant when drunk at the right time but can be hit and miss depending on the age of the grape.

Taken from:

www.wikipedia.org

www.capeverde.co.uk

Places to go in CAPE VERDE

Shopping in the islands is low-key and is mainly in local markets. Toiletries and other day-to-day items can be expensive as most things are imported, but the markets are a great place to look for handicrafts. Basket-weaving is a popular past-time, and artists fashion utensils and figurines from clay.

Cape Verdean nightlife is based on traditional live music and dance. It is impossible to wander round at night and not hear locals playing morna music - a combination of guitars, violins and lovelorn lyrics. Nightclubs are mainly found in the big hotels, although a number of local dive bars sell beer and rum on the islands. Sample Cape Verdean rum or grog, produced on Santo Antão. Dance barefoot on the beach. Cape Verdean's love dancing and you're sure to pick up some special moves from the locals. Listen to live music on Sao Vicente. Cape Verde is famous for sultry morna folk music, but its inhabitants also like to dance to faster samba and tango rhythms. For a taster, try Cesaria Evora, a national icon.

Wander around Cidade Velha in Santiago, the first European settlement in the tropics and a World Heritage site to boot. City ruins from the 1600s have survived the ravages of both time and pirates, and Fortaleza Real de Sao Filipe, a dramatic cliff-side fort, provides sea views.

Sun yourself on Cape Verde's pristine beaches. Two of the best are the fine white sand beaches of Sal and the salty black sand beaches of Sao Nicolau. Watch the sunset on Sal Island - truly one of the most beautiful in the world. Explore the famous salt mines of Sal, after which the island is named. The mines were built inside a dormant volcano and are a fascinating and eerie experience.

Trek around Cape Verde's diverse islands. Fogo has a beautiful volcanic peak with sweeping views, while Boa Vista has a desert-like quality with shifting sand dunes and palm trees.

Cape Verdeis home to several rare breeds of African birds, as well as unique types of sparrows, swifts and warblers.

Go scuba diving around Sal's amazing underwater world. Get up close to Cape Verde's plentiful sea-life. Learn to surf or water-ski. Cape Verde has some of the best waves in the world, and most hotels are happy to arrange lessons or board hire.

Taken from:

· www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in CAPE VERDE

Cape Verde has few natural resources, scant rainfall and limited supplies of fresh water.^{[citation needed]} Only four of the ten main islands (Santiago, Santo Antão, Fogo, and Brava) normally support significant agricultural production,^[30] and over 90% of all food consumed in Cape Verde is imported. Mineral resources include salt, pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in cement production), and limestone.^[8] Its small number of wineries making Portuguese-style wines have traditionally focused on the domestic market, but have recently met with some international acclaim. A number of wine tours of Cape Verde's various microclimates began to be offered in spring 2010 and can be arranged through the tourism office.^[31]

The economy of Cape Verde is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for more than 70% of GDP.^{[citation needed]} Although nearly 38% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 9% of GDP. Light manufacturing accounts for most of the remainder. Fish and shellfish are plentiful, and small quantities are exported. Cape Verde has cold storage and freezing facilities and fish processing plants in Mindelo, Praia, and on Sal. Expatriate Cape Verdeans contribute an amount estimated at about 20% of GDP to the domestic economy through remittances.^[8]

Since 1991, the government has pursued market-oriented economic policies, including an open welcome to foreign investors and a far-reaching privatization programme. It established as top development priorities the promotion of a market economy and of the private sector; the development of tourism, light manufacturing industries, and fisheries; and the development of transport, communications, and energy facilities. From 1994 to 2000 about $407 million in foreign investments were made or planned, of which 58% were in tourism,^[32] 17% in industry, 4% in infrastructure, and 21% in fisheries and services.^[8]

In 2011, on 4 islands a windfarm was built, that in total supplies about 25% of the electricity of the country. With this amount it is one of the top countries for renewable energy.^[33]

Between 2000 and 2009, real GDP increased on average by over 7 percent a year, well above the average for Sub-Saharan countries and faster than most small island economies in the region. Strong economic performance was bolstered by one of the fastest growing tourism industries in the world, as well as by substantial capital inflows that allowed Cape Verde to build up national currency reserves to the current 3.5 months of imports. Unemployment has been falling rapidly, and the country is on track to achieve most of the UN Millenium Development Goals – including halving its 1990 poverty level.

In 2007, Cape Verde joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in 2008 the country graduated from Least Developed Country (LDC) to Middle Income Country (MIC) status.^[34][35]

Cape Verdehas 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. On June 23, 2008 Cape Verde became the 153rd member of the WTO.^[36]

Development

The European Commission's total allocation for the period of 2008–2013 foreseen for Cape Verde to address "poverty reduction, in particular in rural and periurban areas where women are heading the households, as well as good governance" amounts to €54.1 million.^[37]

Taken from wikipedia