This article describes the geography of Cape Verde.

The Cape Verde Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some 620 kilometers (385 mi.) off the west coast of Africa. The archipelago consists of 10 islands and 5 islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups. The six islands in the Barlavento group are Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista. The islands in the Sotavento group are Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava. All but Santa Luzia are inhabited.

Three islands--Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio--generally are level and lack natural water supplies. Mountains higher than 1,280 meters (4,200 ft.) are found on Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão, and São Nicolau.

Sand carried by high winds has caused erosion on all islands, especially the windward ones. Sheer, jagged cliffs rise from the sea on several of the mountainous islands. The lack of natural vegetation in the uplands and coast also contributes to soil erosion. Only the interior valleys support natural vegetation.

Rainfall is irregular, historically causing periodic droughts and famines. The average precipitation per year in Praia is 24 centimeters (9.5 in.). During the winter, storms blowing from the Sahara sometimes form dense dust clouds that obscure the sun; however, sunny days are the norm year round.

The ocean near Cape Verde is an area of tropical cyclone formation; since these storms have the whole Atlantic to develop as they move westward, they are among the most intense hurricanes, and are called Cape Verde-type hurricanes.

Cape Verde satellite image

Location

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Geographic coordinates

16° 00′ N, 24° 00′ W

Map references

World

Area

• Total: 4,033 km²
• Land: 4,033 km²
• Water: 0 km²

Area - comparative

Slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

965 km

Maritime claims

• Measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
• Contiguous zone: 24 nm
• Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate

Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain

Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Elevation extremes

• Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
• Highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

Natural resources

Salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish

Land use

• Arable land: 11%
• Permanent crops: 0%
• Permanent pastures: 6%
• Forests and woodland: 0%
• Other: 83% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land

30 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards

Prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active

Environment - current issues

Overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

• Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
• Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography - note

Strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site

See also: Cape Verde