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 |
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| Official
Name : |
RÉPUBLICA
CABO VERDE (Republic of Cape Verde) |
| Land
Area: |
4033
square kilometres / 1557 square miles. |
| Population: |
418,000
(est 2005). Density 100.6 persons per square kilometre. |
| Languages: |
Portuguese,
spoken in 19 creole forms. |
| Religions: |
Christian
80%. |
| Capital: |
Cidade
de Praia. (pop 61,500) |
| Currency: |
Cape
Verdian escudo, divided into 100 centavos. |
| Independant: |
5
July 1975, from Portugal. |
| Geography: |
The
archipeligo republic comprises 10 islands and 5 islets, divided into Ilhas do
Barlavento (Windward) and Ilhas do Solavento (Leeward). The predominantly rugged,
infertile mountainous terrain is volcanic in origin with the highest elevation
an active volcano. The semiarid plains of Sao Tiago, Santa Antao and Sao Vicente
are the most densely populated. Poor soils and absence of surface water outside
of the rainy season have hampered development. |
