Official Name: Republic of Cape Verde
Alternate Names: Cape Verde
Capital City: Praia
Flag: The 10 stars on the flag represent the main islands of Cape Verde. The blue represents the ocean and sky. The white and red bands together represent the road toward the construction of the nation. Individually, the color white stands for peace and the color red stands for effort.
Date of Independence: July 5, 1975 from Portugal
National Anthem: Cântico da Liberdade (Song of Freedom)
Population: 567,000
Size/Area: At 2505 square miles, Cape Verde is about the same size as Rhode Island.
Land Locked: No
Coastline: 600 miles
Bordering Countries: None, Cape Verde is a series of islands in the Atlantic Ocean off Western Africa.
Administrative Divisions: Cape Verde has 22 municipalities: Ribeira Grande, Paul, Porto Novo, São Vicente, Ribeira Brava, Tarrafal de São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Praia, São Domingos, Santa Catarina, São Salvador do Mundo, Santa Cruz, São Lourenço dos Órgãos, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, São Miguel, Tarrafal, São Filipe, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Mosteiros, Brava.
Major Cities: Praia, Mindelo, Santa Maria, Assomada, São Filipe, Pedra Badejo, Tarrafal, Porto Novo, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol
Languages: Portuguese (official), Cape Verdean Creole
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Major Holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Democracy Day (Jan 13), Heroes’ Day (Jan 20), Carnival (February), Labour Day (May 1), Children’s Day (June 1), Independence Day (July 5), Assumption (Day of Our Lady of Grace) (Aug 15), National Day (Sept 12), All Saints’ Day (Nov 1), Christmas Day (Dec 25)
Cape Verde 500 Escudos
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo
Currency Code: CVE
Highest Point: Mt. Fogo (9281 feet above sea level)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0 feet)
Bordering Bodies of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Climate: The climate is warm and dry with very little rain.
Major Industries: Fish and fish products, clothing, shoes, beverages, salt, construction, building materials, ship repair, furniture, metal products, and tourism.
Major Agricultural Products: Bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane, coffee, fruits, vegetables, and livestock products.
Natural Resources: Salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, and gypsum.
Time Zone: UTC -1