Statistical information Cabo Verde 1998

Cabo Verde in the World
top of pageBackground: The 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. Independence was achieved in 1975.
top of pageLocation: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map reference:
WorldAreaTotal: 4,030 km²
Land: 4,030 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land useArable land: 11%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 6%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active
GeographyNote: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
top of pagePopulation: 399,857 (July 1998 est.)
Growth rate: 1.49% (1998 est.)
NationalityNoun: Cape Verdean(s)
Adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 46% (male 92,175; female 90,557)
15-64 years: 48% (male 90,183; female 102,541)
65 years and over: 6% (male 9,765; female 14,636) (July 1998 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 1.49% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 34.47 births/1000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.04 deaths/1000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.54 migrant(s)/1000 population (1998 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent 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
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 47.53 deaths/1000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 70.5 years
Male: 67.21 years
Female: 73.89 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.08 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 71.6%
Male: 81.4%
Female: 63.8% (1995 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
Conventional short form: Cape Verde
Local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
Local short form: Cabo Verde
Government type: republic
Capital: Praia
Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular_concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Note: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 districts (Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Nicolau, Sao Filipe, Sao Vicente, Tarrafa)
Dependent areasIndependence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992
Legal system: derived from the legal system of Portugal
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22 March 1991): ead of
Government: Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13 January 1991)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister from among the members of the National Assembly
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February 2001); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
Election results: Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro elected president; percent of vote_Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (independent) 80.1%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
Election results: percent of vote by party_MPD 59%, PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats by party - MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission is Charge d'Affaires Manuel MATOS
In the us chancery: 3,415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,007
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 965-6,820
In the us fax: [1] (202) 965-1207
In the us consulates general: Boston
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Neal BENEDICT (17 June 1996)
From the us embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia
From the us mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
From the us telephone: [238] 61 56 16
From the us fax: [238] 61 13 55
Flag description
: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and a high birth rate. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 1995 was only 8%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances constitute a supplement to GDP of more than 20%. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1998 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $1,370 (1997 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 8%
Industry: 18%
Services: 74% (1996 est.)
Agriculture products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair,
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA %
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $188 million
Expenditures: $228 million, including capital expenditures of $116 million (1996)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: total value:$12.8 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Commodoties: shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hides,
Partners: Portugal, Spain, France, UK
Imports: total value:$237 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Commodoties: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Partners: Portugal 41%, Netherlands, France, Spain, US
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $202 million (1996)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1_95.400 (December 1997), 93.177 (1997), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 7,000 kW (1995)
Production: 40 million kWh (1995)
Consumption per capita: 92 kWh (1995)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 22,900 (1995 est.)
Telephone systemDomestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system scheduled for completion in 1998
International: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station_1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $3.4 million (1994)
Percent of gdp: 2.2% (1997 est.)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 6 (1997 est.)
With paved runways total: 6
With paved runways over 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 5 (1997 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marineTotal: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,620 GRT/13,920 DWT
Ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1997 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe