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Cape Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde) is a republic located on an Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. The previously-uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves. Most Cape Verdeans descend from both groups.
"Cape Verde" is named for Cap-Vert, now in Senegal, the westernmost point of Africa.
History
Main article: History of Cape Verde
Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in 1456, and the islands were thus made part of the Portuguese empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde became an important port, and was a major center of the slave trade.
In 1975, the islands achieved independence, partially due to the efforts of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). After independence, the PAIGC attempted to unite Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau into one nation, the PAIGC controlling both governments, but a coup in the latter nation in 1980 ended these plans. In Cape Verde itself the PAICV (affiliated with the PAIGC) governed until elections were held in 1991 that resulted in a change of government. The PAICV was re-elected in 2001.
Politics Main article: Politics of Cape Verde
The government of Cape Verde is based on a Constitution that was established in 1980. Elections are held for both the Prime Minister and President, who both govern for 5-year terms. Members of the General Assembly are elected as well, and they appoint the Supreme Court along with the President and Prime Minister.
See also: President of Cape Verde
Municipalities Cape Verde is divided into 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho): - Santo Antão island:
- Paúl
- Porto Novo
- Ribeira Grande
- São Vicente island:
- São Vicente
- Santa Luzia island (included in S. Vicente concelho)
- Sao Nicolau island:
- São Nicolau
- Sal island:
- Sal
- Boa Vista island:
- Boa Vista
- Maio island:
- Maio
- Santiago island:
- Praia
- Santa Catarina
- Santa Cruz
- São Domingos
- São Miguel
- Tarrafal
- Fogo island:
- São Filipe
- Mosteiros
- Brava island:
- Brava
Geography Main article: Geography of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of Africa. It is formed by 10 main islands and about 8 islets. The main islands are:
Santo Antão
São Vicente
Santa Luzia
São Nicolau
Sal
Boavista
Maio
Santiago
Fogo
Brava
Of these, only Santa Luzia is unhabbited. Presently it is a Natural Reserve. All islands are volcanic. An active volcano exists on one of the islands, Fogo.
Economy Main article: Economy of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is a small nation that lacks resources and has experienced severe droughts as well as water shortages. Agriculture is somewhat stymied by lack of rain, and is restricted to only four islands for most of the year. Most of the nation's GDP is from the services industry. Cape Verde has a large cooperation with Portugal in every level of the economy, leading it to make its currency fixed to the Euro and a growing economy. Former Portuguese prime minister José Manuel Durão Barroso, now (second semester 2004) president of the European Comission, has promised to help integrate Cape Verde within the European Union influence packed with a greater cooperation with Portugal. Cape Verde's economy has largely grown since late 1990s, and is now considered a country of average human development.
Demographics Main article: Demographics of Cape Verde
Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are descendants of the ruling Portuguese and African slaves. More Cape Verdians live abroad than in Cape Verde, with significant emigrant Cape Verdian communities in the Angola (45,000). There are also significant number of Cape Verdians in São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, France and the Netherlands.
Culture Main article: Culture of Cape Verde
The culture of Cape Verde reflects its mixed Portuguese and African roots. It is well known for its diverse forms of music (such as Morna, Capeverdian Fado) and dance (such as Funana, mixed Portuguese and African dance), that are reflective of the diverse origins of Cape Verde's residents. Indigenously, the term "Cabo" is used to refer to residents as well as the culture of Cape Verde.
Language Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese, but Portuguese Creoles (Crioulo, Criol, Krioulo, Caboverdiano) are widely used. Each of the 9 inhabited islands of Cape Verde has its own creole. We can distinguish between two main groups: - Sotavento Creoles: Creole of Santiago (Badiu (http://www.priberam.pt/dcvpo/dcvpo.aspx)), Maio, Fogo and Brava (http://www.bcv.cv/_conteudo/dinheiro/nota/1999/2000.htm#).
- Barlavento Creoles: Creole of São Vicente (Criol d'Soncente, Criol d' Saocente (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beispiele_zum_kapverdianischen_Kreol_von_S%E3o_Vicente)), São Nicolau (http://www.terravista.pt/fernoronha/2651/crioulo.html), Sal, Boavista and Santo Antão (http://membres.lycos.fr/pontadosol/pontadosol/presentsite.htm)
Sergio Frusoni translated Bartolomeo Rossetti's version of the New Testament from the Roman dialect (ER VANGELO SECONNO NOANTRI) into the Capeverdean creole of São Vicente under the title Vangêle contód d'nôs móda
Creole links - Perspective on Capeverdean Crioulo by Robert French (http://www.clubetabanka.com/cv/creole.asp)
Miscellaneous topics
External links and references
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