|RNature and climate:|N Two groups of islands, Barlavento (windward) and Sotavento (leewards) consisting of 10 islands and 5 islets, in the Atlantic Ocean 620 km off the Senegal coast in Western Africa.
The islands are of volcanic origin and the highest peak, Pico de Cano, reaches 2829 m.a.s.l. is one of the still active volcanoes.
Vegetation in the lower parts are desert-like and at higher elevation savannah.
Average temperature in January 22°C and in July 25°C.
Percipitation on the northern islands 130 mm and on the southern 300 mm.
|RPeople:|N 71% Creole (Mulatto), 28% African and 1% European.
|REconomy:|N Many of the islands are overpopulated, only 10% of the area is arable and 6% are meadows and pastures.
Severe drought often occurs causing famine.
For export bananas, coffee and sugarcanes are grown and for domestic consumption maize and beans.
Fishing and fishprocessing have been developed in recent decades.
Other industries is negligible.
|RHistory:|N The uninhabited islands were discovered by Portuguese sailors 1456 or 1460 and in 1462 the first portuguese settlers arrived. Portuguese colony from 1460. Soon they imported slaves for the plantations and most of todays population descend from those two groups.
Independence was proclaimed in 1975 and Cape Verde has since then been a one-party-state, ruled by the PAIGC.
