Republica de Cabo Verde

Meaning of Name "Verde" is Portuguese for "green," the name given to the westernmost point on the mainland of Africa

Location an archipelago of 15 islands about 400 miles west of Senegal
Area 1,557 sq mi (4,033 sq km)
Highest Elevation Mount Fogo; 9,281 ft (2,829 m)
Lowest Elevation sea level
Natural Resources salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, clay, gypsum

Nationality Cape Verdean
Population (2013 est) 531,046
Ethnic Groups Creole, African
Religions Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages Portuguese (official), Crioulo

Capital Praia
Form of Government republic
Head of State President Jorge Carlos Fonseca (since September 9, 2011)
Head of Government Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves (since February 1, 2001)
Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the President
Legislature unicameral National Assembly (Assemblea Nacional)
Judiciary Supreme Court of Justice
Local Administration 22 municipalities (cocelhas)

Currency Cape Verdean escudo
Per Capita Income $4,200
Industries food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
Agricultural Products bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Principal Exports fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Principal Imports foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Independence from Portugal Achieved July 5, 1975
National Holiday Independence Day, July 5
Flag blue represents the sea and the sky; the 10 stars represent the ten main islands that comprise the nation; the stripes represent the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)

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