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Cape Verde Islands)
Cape Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde) is a republic located on an archipelago of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. The previously-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.
"Cape Verde" is named for Cap-Vert, now in Senegal, the westernmost point of Africa.
History
Main article: History of Cape Verde
Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in 1456, and the islands were thus made part of the Portuguese empire. Due to its location off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde became an important port, and was a major center of the slave trade.
In 1975, the islands achieved independence, partially due to the efforts of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). After independence, the PAIGC attempted to unite Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau into one nation, the PAIGC controlling both governments, but a coup in the latter nation in 1980 ended these plans. In Cape Verde itself the PAICV (affiliated with the PAIGC) ruled until elections were held in 1991 that resulted in a change of government. The PAICV won back power in 2001.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Cape Verde
The government of Cape Verde is based on a Constitution that was established in 1980. Elections are held for both the Prime Minister and President, who both rule for 5-year terms. Members of the General Assembly are elected as well, and they appoint the Supreme Court along with the President and Prime Minister.
See also: President of Cape Verde
Municipalities
Main article: Municipalities of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is divided into 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho): Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paúl, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, São Domingos, São Filipe, São Miguel, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Tarrafal
Geography
Main article: Geography of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of Africa. The volcanic islands that compose the archipelago are small and mountainous. An active volcano exists on one of the islands, Fogo.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Cape Verde
Cape Verde is a small nation that lacks resources and has experienced severe droughts as well as water shortages. Agriculture is somewhat stymied by lack of rain, and is restricted to only four islands for most of the year. Most of the nation's GDP is from the services industry. Cape Verde has a large cooperation with Portugal in every level of the economy, leading it to make its currency fixed to the Euro and a growing economy. Former Portuguese prime minister José Durão Barroso, now president of the European Comission, has promised to help integrate Cape Verde within the European Union influence packed with a greater cooperation with Portugal. Cape Verde's economy has largely grown since late 1990s, and is now considered a country of average human development.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Cape Verde
Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are descendants of the Portuguese who ruled the nation, and African slaves who were often transported from there. Interestingly, more citizens of Cape Verde live abroad than in the nation, and this reflects the poor economy of Cape Verde. Most emigrant Cape Verdian communities live in USA (264,900), Portugal (80,000) and Angola (45,000). There are also significant Cape Verdian immigrant communities in São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, France and the Netherlands.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Cape Verde
The culture of Cape Verde reflects its mixed Portuguese and African roots. It is well known for its diverse forms of music (such as Morna, Capeverdian Fado) and dance (such as Funana, mixed Portuguese and African dance), that are reflective of the diverse origins of Cape Verde's residents. Indigenously, the term "Cabo" is used to refer to residents as well as the culture of Cape Verde.
See also: List of writers from Cape Verde
Language
- Official Language: Portugues
- Mother Tongue: Creole (Crioulo, Criol, Krioulo, Caboverdiano)
- Cape Verde consists of 10 islands, each of the 9 inhabited islands has its own Creole. We can distinguish between two main groups:
- The Sotavento Creoles: Creole of Santiago (Badiu (http://www.priberam.pt/dcvpo/dcvpo.aspx)), Maio, Fogo und Brava (http://www.bcv.cv/_conteudo/dinheiro/nota/1999/2000.htm#).
- The Barlavento Creoles: Creole of São Vicente (Criol de Soncente (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beispiele_zum_kapverdianischen_Kreol_von_S%E3o_Vicente)), São Nicolau (http://www.terravista.pt/fernoronha/2651/crioulo.html), Sal, Boavista and Santo Antão (http://membres.lycos.fr/pontadosol/pontadosol/presentsite.htm)
Creole Links
Miscellaneous topics
External links and references
de:Kap Verde
et:Cabo Verde
es:Cabo Verde
fr:Cap-Vert
ko:카부베르드
ia:Capo Verde
nl:Kaapverdië
ja:カーボベルデ
no:Kapp Verde
pl:Republika Zielonego Przylądka
pt:Cabo Verde
ru:Кабо-Верде
sl:Zelenortski otoki
fi:Kap Verde
sv:Kap Verde
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