Cabo Verde

1462 – Portuguese discovery of Cabo Verde: The archipelago is discovered by Portuguese sailors and colonized soon after

1770 – Establishment of a slave trade port: The islands become an important point in the transatlantic slave trade

1951 – Cabo Verde becomes an overseas province of Portugal

1975 – Independence from Portugal (Saturday, July 5, 1975): Cabo Verde gains independence after a peaceful liberation movement led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC)

1991 – First multi-party elections: The first multi-party presidential and legislative elections take place

2001 – Creation of a tourism-driven economy: The country begins to focus on developing tourism as a key economic sector

2011 – Transition to democracy: A peaceful transfer of power takes place after the 2011 elections

2021 – Environmental challenges: The country faces issues related to climate change, particularly drought and water scarcity

2024 – New Constitution amendments: Amendments are made to further strengthen the democratic process and the rule of law

Continent: Africa (West Africa, Atlantic Ocean)
Location: Archipelago off the west coast of Africa, located about 570 kilometers (350 miles) west of the mainland of the continent
Capital: Praia
Language: Portuguese (official), Cape Verdean Creole (national)
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Population: ~550,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Cape Verde Time (CVT, UTC-1)

Borders: None, as Cabo Verde is an island nation
Landscape: Volcanic islands, mountainous terrain, and coastal plains
Major Islands: Santiago, Santo Antão, São Vicente, Boa Vista, Sal
Notable Features: Pico do Fogo (the highest peak in Cabo Verde, located on Fogo Island), the beaches of Boa Vista and Sal

Ethnic Groups: Primarily Creole (mixed African and Portuguese descent), with smaller groups of European and African descent
Religion: Roman Catholicism (about 90%), Protestantism (about 5%), other (about 5%)
Urban Population: ~70% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Cabo Verde has a high rate of emigration, with many citizens living abroad, particularly in the United States and Portugal.

Famous For: Morna (traditional music), dancing, and vibrant cultural traditions
Cuisine: Cachupa (a stew), seafood, rice, beans, and corn-based dishes
Arts: Music (morna, funana), literature, and art
Sports: Football (soccer), volleyball, and basketball

Economy Type: Service-based economy, reliant on tourism, remittances, and a small agricultural sector
GDP: Approx. $2.0 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Tourism, agriculture (maize, bananas, sugarcane), fishing
Key Exports: Fish, clothing, beverages, salt
Unemployment Rate: ~9.1% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is concentrated in the capital, Praia, and other urban centers like Mindelo.

Government Type: Semi-presidential representative democratic republic
Head of State: President José Maria Neves (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: In effect since 1980, with amendments in 1992

Praia: The capital, with cultural landmarks such as the Plateau district, markets, and museums
Fogo Island: Known for its active volcano, Pico do Fogo
Mindelo (São Vicente): A cultural hub with a lively arts scene
Boa Vista and Sal: Popular beach destinations with beautiful coastlines
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None as of 2023