Cape Verde Archipelago Having Portuguese Influence

Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands and five islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off Africa’s coast. Out of these ten the most popular Cape Verde Islands include Sao Vicente, Santiago and Sal Island. Over the years large number of people have emigrated from this island owing to chronic droughts and little cultivable land. In spite of this Cape Verde enjoys higher per capita income than many African states owing to the remittances it receives from its migrant community abroad. Once infamous as a popular slave trade centre in the 16th century Cape Verde has since then gone on to become a popular refuelling destination for ships owing to its strategic location. Tourists find this archipelago of Cape Verde interesting for its coral life and surfing opportunities available on the golden-coloured beaches.

Cape Verde Facts and Stats:

· National Name: República de Cabo Verde
· Capital: Praia
· Total area: 4,030 sq km
· Population: 426,113 (2008)
· Currency: Cape Verdean escudo
· Languages: Portuguese, Criuolo
· Ethnicity/ Races: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
· Religion: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
· GDP (Per Capita): $ 6,000 (2006)
· Life Expectancy: Male- 68 Yrs, Female- 74 Yrs
· Literacy: 77% (2003 est.)

Cape Verde Geoghraphy and Climate:
Located just 604 km off the coast of West Africa the combined area of this group of islands is just over 4,000 sq km. The islands are divided into the Barlavento (windward) islands (Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista) and the Sotavento (leeward) islands (Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava). Cape Verde being surrounded by sea has milder temperature than the rest of Africa, the highest temperature reaching 29 °C in January.

Cape Verde has varied vegetation and faunal life including many endangered species that includes endemic birds like Alexander Swift, Raso Lark, Iago Sparrow and reptiles that include the famous Cape Verde Giant Gecko.

Culture and Economy of Cape Verde:
Portuguese ruled Cape Verde for many centuries and their influence can be seen in the cultural life of the Cape Verdeans that reflects pattern similar to those of rural Portugal. Apart from this Cape Verdean music also incorporates African and Brazilian influences, the national music being the morna, which is melancholy and lyrical. Popular dance forms include the soft morna and its modern version, passada that is a mix of Portuguese and African dance forms.

Cape Verde also boasts of the richest literature in Lusitanian Africa that has produced famous poets like Frusoni Sergio, Tavares Eugenio and B.Leza.

Cape Verde suffers from many economic handicaps like lack of fresh water, poor rainfall, limited arable land that have forced the country to import over 90% of its food requirements. It has a service-oriented economy with agriculture and fishing contributing only 9% to the GDP while the rest comes from commerce, transport and public services. The economy would need continued aid support and tourist inflow to develop substantially.

Tourist Attractions in Cape Verde:
Cape Verde has nine inhabited islands out of which the Santiago Island is the largest and most populated of these. The country’s capital Praia is located here and it has good night life along with other attractions that include Cidale Velha, fort real de San Felipe and Tarrafal village that features the country’s best fishing beaches.

The Sal Island in Cape Verde is characterised by its white sand beaches that is visited by most package tourists. It is also popular for diving and windsurfing. However Sao Vicente Island is by far the most cosmopolitan of all islands in cape Verde and the deep-water port of Mindelo is located here replete with old colonial buildings and a thriving music scene.

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