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Cape Verde Background Information

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape 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. Cape 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, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Cape Verde Quickstats

  • Population: 423,613 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 4,033 sq km
  • Density: 126 /km² (79th)
  • GDP (total): $3.055 billion (158th)
  • GDP (per capita): $6,418 (92nd)
  • Literacy: 76.6%

Languages of Cape Verde

Useful to know

  • Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
  • Dial code: +238

International Trade

External sites

More Resources

Cape Verde Internet

  • Usage: 29,000
  • Penetration: 5.9 %
  • Top Domain: .cv

WT eBusiness info:

  • Success Ranking: 100
  • Market testing: Untested
  • Overall risk: High
  • Overall reward: Low

e-maturity:

  • Tourism: 10%
  • eCommerce: 10%
  • Gaming: 10%
  • eLearning: 10%

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