Contents

Draft:Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde
Country



Native name
República de Cabo Verde




Capital
Praia
Largest city
Praia



Official languages
Portuguese


Demonym
Cabo Verdean




Legislature
National Assembly








Currency
Cape Verdean escudo(CVE)



Calling code
+238






Website
[governo.cv Official website]


Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde (Portuguese: República de Cabo Verde), is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. It consists of ten volcanic islands, nine of which are inhabited, together forming an archipelago about 500 kilometres west of the African mainland.[1] Its capital and largest city is Praia, on the island of Santiago.[2]

Portuguese is the official language, while varieties of Cape Verdean Creole, a Portuguese-based Creole language, are widely used in everyday life.[2] The population was estimated by the World Bank at 527,326 in 2025.[3]

The islands were permanently settled by the Portuguese beginning in the 15th century and became an important Atlantic trading centre, including a major role in the Atlantic slave trade.[4] Cabo Verde remained under Portuguese rule until gaining independence on 5 July 1975.[5] After an early period of one-party government, the country introduced multiparty politics at the beginning of the 1990s and has since experienced repeated peaceful transfers of political power.[1]

Cabo Verde's economy is strongly based on services, particularly tourism, while remittances from a large overseas Cabo Verdean population also play an important role.[1][6] The country is a member of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations.[7][2]

Name

The Portuguese name Cabo Verde means "Green Cape". The archipelago takes its name from the Cap-Vert peninsula on the nearby West African mainland, in present-day Senegal.

For much of its modern international history, the country was commonly known in English as Cape Verde. In 2013, the government requested that the Portuguese form Cabo Verde be used as the country's official short name in all languages. The United Nations records that the official country name changed from the Republic of Cape Verde to the Republic of Cabo Verde on 24 October 2013.[8]

Geography

Cabo Verde lies in the Atlantic Ocean roughly 500 kilometres west of the coast of Africa. The archipelago contains ten main islands: Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. Santa Luzia is the only one of the ten without a permanent population.[9]

The islands are traditionally divided into the northern Barlavento Islands and the southern Sotavento Islands. Their total land area is about 4,033 square kilometres.[2] Cabo Verde is volcanic in origin, although the landscape varies greatly between islands. Sal, Boa Vista and Maio are comparatively low and dry, while islands such as Santo Antão, Santiago and Fogo have steep mountains and deeply cut valleys.[10]

The country's highest point is Pico do Fogo, an active volcano on Fogo island, rising to 2,829 metres above sea level.[11] Fogo's volcanic landscape has been shaped by repeated eruptions, including an eruption in 2014.[12]

Climate and environment

Cabo Verde has an arid to semi-arid climate influenced by its position in the eastern tropical Atlantic and near the Sahel. Rainfall is generally low and irregular, and prolonged drought has been a recurring feature of the islands' history.[10] The limited supply of freshwater and the small proportion of arable land have long affected settlement, agriculture and economic development. The World Bank estimates that only about 10% of Cabo Verde's land is arable.[13]

Climate change poses additional challenges to the country as a Small Island Developing State, including water insecurity, pressure on coastal areas, effects on agriculture and risks to infrastructure.[14]

History

Early settlement and Portuguese rule

Permanent settlement of the islands began in the 15th century under Portuguese rule. Portuguese settlers arrived on Santiago in 1462 and established Ribeira Grande, now known as Cidade Velha.[15] It became an important port in the developing Atlantic trading system.

Cabo Verde's location between West Africa, Europe and the Americas made the archipelago strategically important during the expansion of Atlantic commerce. Enslaved Africans were brought to the islands, worked locally and were also transported onward through Atlantic trading networks. Research on the early colonial period describes Cabo Verde as an important entrepôt linking Portuguese traders with communities in Senegambia and the Upper Guinea coast.[4]

Ribeira Grande grew into an administrative, religious and commercial centre during the 16th and 17th centuries. Its role in colonial expansion and the slave trade later became central to the historical significance of the settlement.[16] Pirate attacks and changes in Atlantic trade contributed to its decline, while Praia gradually became more important.[15]

The islands repeatedly suffered from drought and famine, particularly from the late 18th century onward. During the 19th century, the harbour of Mindelo on São Vicente became an important stop for Atlantic shipping.[15]

Portugal redesignated Cabo Verde from a colony to an overseas province in 1951. Nationalist movements nevertheless grew during the mid-20th century.[17]

Independence movement

In 1956, Amílcar Cabral and other activists from Cabo Verde and Portuguese Guinea established the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). The movement led an armed struggle against Portuguese rule in Portuguese Guinea, although large-scale armed conflict did not take place in Cabo Verde itself.[17]

The Carnation Revolution in Portugal in April 1974 brought an end to Portugal's authoritarian Estado Novo government and accelerated decolonisation. An agreement between Portugal and the PAIGC led to a transitional administration and elections for a National Assembly. Cabo Verde became independent on 5 July 1975, with Aristides Pereira as its first president.[17][5]

Independent Cabo Verde

The PAIGC and, after 1981, the African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV) governed under a one-party system during the country's first years of independence. Plans for political union with Guinea-Bissau were abandoned after a 1980 coup in Guinea-Bissau, after which the Cabo Verdean branch of the movement was reorganised as the PAICV.[18]

Political reforms around 1990 introduced multiparty competition. The Movement for Democracy (MpD) won the first multiparty parliamentary election in 1991, beginning a pattern of competitive elections and peaceful transfers between the MpD and PAICV.[1]

In the parliamentary election held on 17 May 2026, the PAICV received 90,660 votes, or 48.04% of valid votes, and won 37 of the 72 seats in the National Assembly. The MpD won 33 seats and the Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union (UCID) won two.[19] PAICV leader Francisco Carvalho was appointed prime minister by President José Maria Neves on 19 June 2026.[20]

Government and politics

Cabo Verde is a republic with an elected president, a prime minister who heads the government, and a unicameral legislature known as the National Assembly. The constitutional system distributes authority among the presidency, government, parliament and courts.[21]

The president is the head of state and is elected separately from the National Assembly. José Maria Neves has served as president since November 2021.[1] The prime minister is the head of government. Francisco Carvalho has held the office since June 2026 and also serves as finance minister in the government formed after the 2026 parliamentary election.[20][22]

The National Assembly has 72 members in the current legislature. Following the 2026 election, the PAICV holds 37 seats, the MpD 33 and the UCID two.[23] In June 2026, Janira Hopffer Almada became the first woman elected president of the National Assembly.[24]

Administrative divisions

Cabo Verde is divided into 22 municipalities. Local government is organised around elected municipal bodies responsible for matters such as local development, urban services and community administration.[25]

Foreign relations

Cabo Verde has pursued close diplomatic and economic relations with other Portuguese-speaking countries, West African states, the European Union, the United States and international development institutions.

The country joined the predecessor of the African Union, the Organisation of African Unity, on 18 July 1975.[7] It is also a member of ECOWAS.[2] Cabo Verde became independent in the same year that ECOWAS was established and participates in the organisation's regional economic and political institutions.

The country's sizeable diaspora has also influenced its international connections. Emigration to the United States has a long history, particularly to communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.[26]

Economy

Cabo Verde has a service-oriented economy with limited agricultural land and few mineral resources. Tourism is one of its most important industries and has played a major role in economic growth since the 1990s.[1] The World Bank reported that tourism directly accounts for about one-quarter of gross domestic product and has broader effects across transport, accommodation, restaurants and related services.[1]

The economy is vulnerable to external shocks because of its small domestic market, geographic fragmentation, dependence on imported goods and energy, and concentration in tourism. Inter-island transport and connectivity have also been identified as constraints on business growth and economic integration between the islands.[6]

Real GDP grew by 6.3% in 2025, supported by strong tourism, private consumption and improved fiscal performance. The World Bank reported nominal GDP of about US$3.06 billion for 2025.[6][3]

Remittances from Cabo Verdeans abroad form another important source of national income. World Bank data placed personal remittances received at 11.7% of GDP in 2025.[3]

The national currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE). It is maintained under a fixed exchange-rate arrangement with the euro, at a rate of 110.265 escudos to one euro.[27]

Demographics

The World Bank estimated Cabo Verde's population at 527,326 in 2025.[3] Settlement is unevenly distributed across the nine inhabited islands, with Santiago containing the country's largest concentration of people and the capital, Praia.

Migration has been an important part of Cabo Verdean society for generations. Large communities of Cabo Verdean ancestry live abroad, particularly in Portugal, the United States and other parts of Europe and Africa.[28] These migration networks have helped maintain strong cultural, family and economic links between the islands and the diaspora.

Languages

Portuguese is the official language and is used in government, administration, formal education and much of the written media.[2] Cape Verdean Creole, commonly called Kriolu or Kriol, is widely spoken throughout the country. It developed through historical contact between Portuguese and West African languages and exists in several island varieties.

Cape Verdean Creole has an important place in music, oral tradition, literature and everyday communication. UNESCO notes that morna, one of Cabo Verde's best-known musical traditions, is now performed mainly in Cape Verdean Creole.[29]

Religion

Christianity has historically been the predominant religious tradition in Cabo Verde, particularly Roman Catholicism, reflecting centuries of Portuguese rule. Protestant and other Christian communities are also present, along with smaller Muslim and other religious communities.

Health

Life expectancy at birth was about 76 years in 2024 according to World Bank data.[3] Access to electricity reached 98.4% of the population in 2024, while broader investments in public services and health infrastructure have accompanied improvements in living conditions.[3]

In January 2024, the World Health Organization certified Cabo Verde as malaria-free after the country demonstrated that indigenous transmission had been interrupted nationwide. Cabo Verde became the third country in the WHO African Region to receive the certification, after Mauritius and Algeria.[30]

Culture

Cabo Verdean culture developed through centuries of interaction among African, European and Atlantic influences. Language, music, food, literature and migration traditions reflect the country's history as a Creole society.

Music is among Cabo Verde's most internationally recognised cultural forms. The morna combines singing, instrumental music, poetry and, in some forms, dance. Its themes commonly include love, separation, migration, reunion and attachment to the homeland.[29] UNESCO added "Morna, musical practice of Cabo Verde" to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.[31]

Singer Cesária Évora, who was born in Mindelo, became one of the best-known international performers of Cabo Verdean music and helped introduce morna and related styles to wider global audiences.

Other musical traditions include coladeira, funaná and batuque, each associated with different rhythmic, social and regional traditions within the islands.

Heritage

Cidade Velha, on Santiago island, preserves important remains from the early Portuguese colonial period. Originally called Ribeira Grande, it was a major administrative and commercial centre and played a significant role in Atlantic navigation and the slave trade.[16]

In 2009, UNESCO inscribed the Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande on the World Heritage List. It is Cabo Verde's first and, as of 2026, only property on the World Heritage List.[32] UNESCO describes Ribeira Grande as the first European colonial town built in the tropics and highlights its place in early Atlantic maritime and colonial networks.[33]

Tourism

Tourism is concentrated particularly on Sal and Boa Vista, which are known for beaches, resorts and water sports, while other islands attract visitors for mountains, volcanic landscapes, hiking, music and historic towns.[9] Fogo is centred on the volcanic landscape of Pico do Fogo, while Santo Antão is known for steep valleys and mountain trails. São Vicente, especially Mindelo, is an important cultural centre, and Santiago contains both Praia and historic Cidade Velha.

Tourism's importance also makes the economy sensitive to changes in international travel. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major economic shock, followed by a strong recovery as visitor numbers returned.[34]

Transport

Because Cabo Verde is an archipelago, aviation and maritime transport are essential to domestic mobility and international trade. The principal international gateways include airports on Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente. Ferries and other maritime services connect inhabited islands, although the reliability and cost of inter-island connectivity have remained development concerns.[6]

Praia is the main political and administrative centre, while Mindelo has one of the country's most important ports and has historically served Atlantic shipping.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cabo Verde. World Bank Group. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Cabo Verde. Economic Community of West African States. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Cabo Verde – Data. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Origins of Slavery in Cabo Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cabo Verde. Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Cabo Verde 2026 Economic Update: Inter-Island Connectivity for Inclusive Growth. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Member States of the AU. African Union. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Cabo Verde. United Nations. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Explore Cabo Verde's 10 Islands. Visit Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Estratégia Nacional de Redução de Riscos de Desastres, Cabo Verde. Portal do Clima de Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  11. ↑ Visit Fogo Island: The only Cabo Verde's Active Volcano Isle. Visit Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  12. ↑ Discover the Natural Wonders of Fogo Island – Part 1. Visit Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Overview: Cabo Verde. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  14. ↑ Primeiro-Ministro defende maior ambição e financiamento na resposta à crise climática. Government of Cabo Verde. 24 September 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Background Notes: Cape Verde. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cidade Velha becomes Cabo Verde's first World Heritage site. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Cape Verde. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  18. ↑ Cape Verde. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  19. ↑ CNE proclama resultados definitivos das legislativas de 2026 e confirma vitória do PAICV com 37 deputados. Comissão Nacional de Eleições. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Decreto Presidencial n.º 14/2026. Boletim Oficial de Cabo Verde. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  21. ↑ Constituição da República. Assembleia Nacional de Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  22. ↑ Governo entrega Programa para a XI Legislatura e reafirma compromisso com um "Cabo Verde para Todos". Government of Cabo Verde. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  23. ↑ Deputados em funções. Assembleia Nacional de Cabo Verde. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  24. ↑ Janira Hopffer Almada é eleita Presidente da Assembleia Nacional de Cabo Verde. Assembleia Nacional de Cabo Verde. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  25. ↑ Cabo Verde. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  26. ↑ U.S. Relations With Cabo Verde. U.S. Department of State. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  27. ↑ Cabo Verde: Staff Report for the 2023 Article IV Consultation – Informational Annex. International Monetary Fund. 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  28. ↑ U.S. Relations With Cabo Verde. U.S. Department of State. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Morna, musical practice of Cabo Verde. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  30. ↑ WHO certifies Cabo Verde as malaria-free, marking a historic milestone in the fight against malaria. World Health Organization. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  31. ↑ Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 14.COM 10.B.8. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  32. ↑ Cabo Verde. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  33. ↑ Decision 33 COM 8B.10 – Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  34. ↑ Cabo Verde Economic Update 2025: Unlocking Inclusive Growth through Increased Resilience and Equal Opportunities. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
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