Praia

CAPITAL CITY OF Cape Verde: Praia
LANGUAGE OF Cape Verde: Portuguese
CURRENCY OF Cape Verde: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
COMMENTS ABOUT Cape Verde:
Islands : Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava
Cities : Praia (capital), Mindelo, Cidade Velha, Ribeira Grande, Espargos
Calling Code :+238
Time Zone :UTC -1
Eat :Lagostada, Cachupa, Tosta mista. European food is common on all the islands.
The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde 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.
CLIMATE OF Cape Verde: Cape Verde is in the subtropical 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, with September the wettest month with 33.6 mm. Conversely, the months April to July record less than one millimetre of rainfall each. Cape Verde's position in the Atlantic contributes to its mild, moist climate.
RELIGION OF Cape Verde: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
POPULATION OF Cape Verde: 415,294 (July 2004 est.)>
CULTURA OF Cape Verde: Cape Verde is in the subtropical 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, with September the wettest month with 33.6 mm. Conversely, the months April to July record less than one millimetre of rainfall each. Cape Verde's position in the Atlantic contributes to its mild, moist climate.
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Cape Verde: 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 accounted 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 2004 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.