Cabo Verde

Broadcast media

state-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.cv

Internet hosts

38 (2012) country comparison to the world: 216

Internet users

150,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 148

Telephone system

general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

70,200 (2012) country comparison to the world: 155

Telephones - mobile cellular

425,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 171

Agriculture - products

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish

Budget

revenues: $409 million expenditures: $625.7 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-12.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 7.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.92% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 9.81% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-209.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $-304.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$1.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $1.025 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought and poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Despite the lack of resources, sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes. Continued economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cabo Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

Exchange rates

Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 85.82 (2012 est.) 79.32 (2011 est.) 83.26 (2010 est.) 79.38 (2009) 73.84 (2008)

Exports

$173.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $196.6 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports - partners

Spain 66.9%, Portugal 13.9%, US 5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.798 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.16 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $2.106 billion (2011 est.) $2.026 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 56% government consumption: 18.4% investment in fixed capital: 43.2% investment in inventories: 2.5% exports of goods and services: 34% imports of goods and services: -54.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 9.4% industry: 18.9% services: 71.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,400 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $4,300 (2011 est.) $4,200 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 4% (2011 est.) 1.5% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

34.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 31.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 34.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)

Imports

$878.7 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $1.04 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

Portugal 38.1%, Netherlands 21.5%, China 7.9%, Spain 7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Industries

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 4.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

196,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 171

Population below poverty line

30% (2000)

Public debt

86.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 78.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$376 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $339 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.362 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $1.322 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.496 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $1.426 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$490.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $459.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Unemployment rate

21% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

430,000 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - consumption

266.9 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity - installed generating capacity

89,800 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - production

287 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 127

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,608 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,646 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Area

total: 4,033 sq km country comparison to the world: 176 land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Climate

temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic

Coastline

965 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

Environment - current issues

soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.02 cu km/yr (6%/1%/93%) per capita: 48.57 cu m/yr (2004)

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

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

Irrigated land

34.76 sq km (2004)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 11.66% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.59% (2011)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active volcanism: Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano

Natural resources

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Terrain

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Total renewable water resources

0.3 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Lourenco dos Orgaos, Sao Miguel, Sao Salvador do Mundo, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau

Capital

name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992; revised 1995, 1999, 2010 (2010)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Cabo Verde conventional short form: Cabo Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Adrienne O'NEAL (since 9 December 2011) embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00 FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Maria De Fatima Lima Da VEIGA (since 16 August 2007) chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jorge Carlos FONSECA (since 9 September 2011) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 August 2011 with a second round runoff on 21 August 2011; prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: percent of vote (second round) - Jorge Carlos FONSECA 53.4%, Manuel Inocencio SOUSA 46.6%

Flag description

five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)

Government type

republic

Independence

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and the remainder by the Supreme Council of Magistrates, a 9-member independent body presided over by the chief justice and includes the high judicial inspector, 2 presidential appointees, 3 elected by the National Assembly, and 2 by their court peers; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court and in consultation with the Supreme Council of the Magistrates; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts

Legal system

civil law system of Portugal

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 6 February 2011 (next to be held by 2016) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAICV 38, MPD 32, UCID 2

National anthem

name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Political parties and leaders

African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman] Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO] Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES] Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO] Movement for Democracy or MPD [Carlos VEIGA] Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: environmentalists; political pressure groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cabo Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cabo Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cabo Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cabo Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 132,087 females age 16-49: 136,956 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 106,864 females age 16-49: 117,518 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 6,029 female: 6,026 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Armed Forces: Army (also called the National Guard, GN), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV; includes naval infantry) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 164

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent) (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.2% (male 83,355/female 82,503) 15-24 years: 21.8% (male 57,825/female 57,842) 25-54 years: 37.3% (male 95,970/female 102,217) 55-64 years: 4.5% (male 9,766/female 13,910) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 10,416/female 17,242) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

20.96 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 1,948 percentage: 3 % note: data represents children ages 10-14 (2001 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.3% (2005)

Death rate

6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 53.5 % youth dependency ratio: 45.3 % elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 % potential support ratio: 12.2 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 90% of population rural: 85% of population total: 88% of population unimproved: urban: 10% of population rural: 15% of population total: 12% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 54

Ethnic groups

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.04% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

HIV/AIDS - deaths

225 (as of 2001) country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

775 (2001) country comparison to the world: 147

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 146

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 25.13 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 77 male: 28.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.28 years country comparison to the world: 146 male: 69.05 years female: 73.58 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.9% male: 89.7% female: 80.3% (2011 est.)

Major urban areas - population

PRAIA (capital) 132,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

79 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 84

Median age

total: 23.5 years male: 22.7 years female: 24.4 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2005 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cabo Verdean(s) adjective: Cabo Verdean

Net migration rate

-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10% (2008) country comparison to the world: 131

Physicians density

0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

531,046 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Population growth rate

1.41% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Religions

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 73% of population rural: 43% of population total: 61% of population unimproved: urban: 27% of population rural: 57% of population total: 39% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.71 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.39 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Urbanization

urban population: 62.6% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)

Airports

9 (2013) country comparison to the world: 157

Airports - with paved runways

total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 13 country comparison to the world: 104 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Greece 1, Spain 1, UK 1) registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Porto Grande

Roadways

total: 1,350 km country comparison to the world: 179 paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000)