Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde (pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈvɜ:rd/; Portuguese: Cabo Verde, pronounced [ˈkabu ˈveɾdɨ]) is an island country, spanning an archipelago located in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa, opposite Mauritania and Senegal. Its size is little over 4,000 km² with an estimated population of just over 500,000. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century (though there may have been earlier discoveries), and attained independence from Portugal in 1975.

As of 2007, Cape Verde is classified as a developing country after being promoted from Least Developed Countries status. About 20% of the population lives on less than $1.25 (U.S.) a day.

• 1 History
• 2 Politics
• 3 Geography and climate
• 4 Administrative divisions
• 5 Economy
• 6 Demographics
  • 6.1 Cape Verdean diaspora
• 7 Culture
• 8 Health, education, and development
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 External links

Capital (and largest city)		Praia 14°55′N 23°31′W / 14.917°N 23.517°W / 14.917; -23.517
Official languages		Portuguese
Recognised regional languages		Cape Verdean Creole
Demonym		Cape Verdean
Government		Republic
-	President	Pedro Pires
-	Prime Minister	José Maria Neves
Independence		from Portugal
-	Recognised	July 5, 1975
Area
-	Total	4,033 km2 (172nd) 1,557 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2008 estimate	503,000[1] (165th)
-	2008 census	426,998[2]
-	Density	126/km2 (79th) 326/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.762 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$3,498[3]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.723 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$3,421[3]
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.736 (medium) (102nd)
Currency		Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Time zone		CVT (UTC-1)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC-1)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.cv
Calling code		238