Country Profile · No. 7

Cabo Verde

Capital / Admin Capital

PraiaPopulation: ~530kIndependence: 1975 (July 5)

First President

Aristides Pereira (1975–1991)Current President: José Maria Neves (serving since November 2021)

Geography & Borders

Island nation situated in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (Predominantly Roman Catholic). Official: Portuguese language. National: Cape Verdean Creole. Major groups: Crioulo / Mixed European-African ancestry (~70%+).

Economy & GDP

Tourism, remittances from the global diaspora, transportation services, fisheries, agriculture.

Global Diaspora

1. Tanzania (~150k), 2. Rwanda (~75k), 3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (~50k), 4. United States (~10k–15k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Texas (Dallas/Houston), Tennessee (Nashville), Washington (Seattle).

Major Conflicts

African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) liberation struggle (1960s–1974, political and underground resistance against Portuguese colonial rule leading to peaceful independence).

3 Must-See Sites

1. Pico do Fogo (An active stratovolcano on Fogo Island towering over a dramatic caldera village), 2. Sal Island Salt Pans (Pedra de Lume) (Floating salt evaporation ponds housed inside an extinct volcanic crater), 3. Mindelo (The cultural capital on São Vicente Island, famous for colorful colonial architecture and live morna music).

Quick Facts

Features a unique Creole culture born from Portuguese and West African roots; birthplace of the legendary barefoot diva Cesária Évora; celebrated for having one of Africa's most stable and thriving multi-party democracies.