Cape Verde

Ten volcanic islands form the archipelago, divided into northern Barlavento and southern Sotavento groups across 4,033 square kilometers in the North Atlantic. Santo Antão features rugged mountain terrain, while Sal and Boa Vista possess extensive sandy beaches. Santiago hosts the capital Praia and displays green valleys in its interior highlands.

Portuguese navigators reached the uninhabited islands in 1456 and founded Ribeira Grande in 1462 as the first European tropical settlement. The archipelago became a trading center for enslaved people between Africa and the Americas during three centuries. Following independence from Portugal in 1975, a democratic republic developed with several peaceful government transitions since 1991.

Communities preserve Morna, a traditional music form blending melancholy melodies with poetic lyrics that gained international recognition through singer Cesária Évora. Festivals such as Carnival on São Vicente showcase African and Portuguese rhythms through colorful street parades. Fishing and agriculture continue shaping rural communities, while urban centers develop modern Cape Verdean identity through contemporary arts and literature.

International airport on Sal receives direct flights from Europe and Africa, while smaller airports connect other islands. Temperatures remain between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 25 degrees Celsius) throughout the year, with dry season from November to June. Ferries operate between inhabited islands, with Santiago and São Vicente hosting main ports. Portuguese and Creole facilitate communication in hotels and restaurants.

Pico do Fogo reaches 2,829 meters (9,281 feet) as an active volcano on the island of the same name, with its most recent eruption in 2014 rather than 1951. Wine cultivation thrives in fertile volcanic ash within the caldera, where farmers grow native grape varieties for local wines. The village of Chã das Caldeiras sits directly on the volcanic cone and has been destroyed several times by lava flows.

Inception: July 5, 1975

Capital city: Praia

Part of: Portuguese-speaking African countries, West Africa

Website: http://governo.cv

GPS coordinates: 16.00006,-24.00839

Latest update: November 30, 2025 16:31