Cape Verde is an archipelago (island chain) of volcanic islands lying 570 kilometres (350 miles) off the West African coast. The ten islands form a crescent; the northern six are known as the Barlavento Islands, while the southern four are called the Sotavento Islands. Many of the islands are mountainous, covered by scrubland. The largest island by both land area and population is Santiago. The smallest, Santa Luzia, which lacks fresh water, is uninhabited. Flat, sandy islands such as Sal and Boa Vista have hot, dry climates, while those with high mountains are more humid—moisture from the ocean forms clouds over the islands’ peaks. Since 2013, Cape Verde has officially been known as the República de Cabo Verde, or Cabo Verde.

People

The Portuguese were the first people to discover and colonize the islands; they arrived in the 15th century. Today, Cape Verde is home to just over 500,000 people. Most are of mixed African and European (mainly Portuguese) descent; the rest are ethnically African. They speak a Portuguese creole language called Crioulo as well as Portuguese and are mainly Roman Catholic. About half of the entire population lives on the largest island, Santiago, where the capital, Praia, is situated.

Economy

Most Cape Verdeans work in services on the island, running transport and shops and working in the tourist industry—tourism brings in most of the islands’ foreign income. Many people emigrate abroad to study or to find work, sending money back to their relatives in Cape Verde, an important source of income for the islands. Most families have a small plot of land where they grow maize, bananas, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Many also catch fish and shellfish to eat.

Facts about Cape Verde

Population 593,149 (2022 census)

Area 4033 sq km

Highest point Pico do Fogo 2829 m (9281 ft)

Capital Praia, population 159,000

Other major cities Mindelo (pop. 70,600)

Languages Portuguese, Crioulo

Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 77%, other Christian 8%, Muslim 2%, others and none 13%

Ethnicity Creole (mixed European / African) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Currency Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Chief exports fuel, shoes, clothing, fish, animal skins/hides