Cape Verde
Cape Verde
Source: NASA
| Topics: |  Geography |
Cape Verde is a nation of volcanic islands 600 km off the western shore of Africa (Mauritania and Senegal) in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of a haf-a-million people; a quarter of whom live in the capitol Praia.
Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands and five islets. The islands are divided among the Barlavento ("windward") islands (Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista) and the Sotavento ("leeward") islands (Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava). Size varies dramatically between islands, of which Santiago (São Tiago - 991 square kilometers (km2) ) is the largest and Raso (7 km2) among the smallest.
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Once covered by dry forests and scrub habitat, the landscape has since undergone extensive conversion to what is now an almost purely human-influenced agrarian environment. Native vegetation is now severely fragmented, and is largely confined to mountain peaks, steep slopes, and other inaccessible areas. These remnants are important, however, since they contain some of the few dry forest areas in Africa and its islands, and support a number of endemic species.
Cape Verde's major environmental issues include:
- 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; and,
- overfishing.
It is susceptible to prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; and volcanic and seismic activity.
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 has a strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes. It has an important communications station; and is an important sea and air refueling site.
Geography
Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic Coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Area: 4,033 km2 (4,033 km2 land and 0 km2 water)
arable land: 11.41%
permanent crops: 0.74%
other: 87.85% (2005)
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
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
Terrain: Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic.
The archipelago is volcanic in origin, and is situated in the southwestern portion of the Senegalese continental shelf on oceanic crust that is between 140 and 120 million years old. The landscape is rugged on the younger islands (Fogo, Santo Antão, Santiago, and São Nicolau), with peaks reaching over 2,000 m (highest mountain is Mount Fogo, 2,829 m), but relatively flat on the older islands (Maio, Sal, and Boa Vista). The degree of topographical variation is mainly related to the age of the islands and the presence of volcanoes. The major rocks are basalt and limestone, and there are deposits of salt and kaolin.
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| Low-level winds rushing over the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa created cloud vortex streets, as seen in this true-color Terra MODIS image from January 5, 2005. The vortex streets tend to create patterns of swirls and curves in a roughly symmetrical pattern, though as can be seen here, the lower vortex street is much more disorganized - to the point that the typical features are almost unrecognizeable. Cloud vortices are also known as von Karman vortices. Source: NASA |
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| The Serra Malagueta mountain range in the northern part of the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. Source: Ingo Wölbern/Wikimedia Commons. |
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| Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde. The beach of Praia Grande and Monte Verde in the background. Source: Henryk Kotowski/Wikimedia Commons |
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| Peak of Mount Fogo, December 2007. Source: David Trainer/Wikimedia Commons. |
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| Aerial view of Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde. Source: David Trainer/Wikimedia Commons. |
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| The sand desert Viana on the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, is surrounded by rock desert. Source: Ingo Wölbern/Wikimedia Commons. |
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| View of downtown Mindelo, Baía do Porto Grande and Monte Cara. Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Elevation Extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Climate: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic.
Cape Verde has a tropical climate with two seasons; a dry season from December to July and a warm and wet season between August and November. The higher islands, containing active volcanoes, receive significantly more rainfall than the lower, flatter islands due to the rain shadow effect. Temperatures range between 20 and 35°C, and average between 25 and 29°C. The volcanic soils are quite fertile, but the islands are too arid for agriculture in most places. Periodically the islands suffer from prolonged droughts and serious water shortages.
Ecology and Biodiversity
Cape Verde's islands are included within the Cape Verde Islands dry forests ecoregion.
On the lower and drier islands the vegetation before human colonization probably consisted of savanna or steppe vegetation, with the flattest inland portion supporting semi-desert plants. At higher altitudes, a form of arid shrubland was also present.
On the higher and somewhat wetter islands, the climate is suitable for the development of dry monsoon forest, as this vegetation is believed to have been present in the past. However, most vegetation has now been converted to agriculture and forest fragments are now restricted to areas where cultivation is not possible, such as mountain peaks and steep slopes.
The islands support fragmented areas of tropical dry forest/shrubland, considerable endemic flora and fauna, populations of rare breeding seabirds, and plants only found on islands off the west coast of Africa.
Four species of land bird are endemic to these islands, and there are a number of endemic subspecies of birds. The islands are also important for rare breeding seabirds. Fifteen species of lizards occur on Cape Verde, of which 12 are endemic. These include a giant skink on Raso Island and a giant gecko found on both Raso and Branco. Some 92 species of plants (14 percent) are endemic to these islands, although little information is apparently available on the current status and distribution of such species. The only native mammals include 5 small bats.
In the 500 years since humans first colonized the islands, the loss of natural habitats has been severe. These losses have been caused by the conversion of natural habitat to agriculture, the use of environmentally-poor farming practices causing soil erosion, the introduction of alien plants, the presence of a large number and high density of goats and other introduced animals, and drought. Remaining areas of natural habitat are confined to steep rocky areas and ravines in the mountainous islands and to patches in the flatter islands. None of these areas are protected.
The remaining habitats and their notable flora and fauna are all under considerable threat from the activities of humans and the presence of introduced species. Threats include overgrazing by livestock, over fishing, improper land use that often results in extensive soil erosion, and the demand for wood that has resulted in deforestation and desertification.
The introduction of exotic animals such as rats, sheep, goats, green monkeys and cattle has had devastating affects on the native flora and fauna. Rats and other introduced mammals can ravage nesting areas of seabirds, and over time wipe out entire colonies. Livestock is responsible for denuding soil, which results in extensive erosion and water loss, as well as compaction that hinders native plant regeneration.
See also:
Government
Government Type: Republic
Capital: Praia - 125,000 (2009)
Administrative Divisions: 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence Date: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal System: based on the legal system of Portugal. Cape verde has not submitted an International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction declaration; and is a non-party state to the International Criminal Court (ICCt).
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
International Environmental Agreements
Cape Verde is party to international agreements on: 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, and Wetlands.
People and Society
Population: 516,100 (July 2011 est.)
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Age Structure:
0-14 years: 32.6% (male 84,545/female 83,718)
15-64 years: 61.9% (male 154,697/female 164,917)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 10,648/female 17,575) (2011 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 1.446% (2011 est.)
Birthrate: 21.47 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Death Rate: 6.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
Net Migration Rate: -0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 70.7 years (2011 est.)
Total Fertility Rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2011 est.)
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Literacy: 76.6% (male: 85.8% - female: 69.2% [2003 est.])
Urbanization: 61% of total population (2010) growing at an annual rate of change of 2.4% (2010-15 est.)
Water
Total Renewable Water Resources: 0.3 cu km (1990)
Freshwater Withdrawal: Total: 0.02 cu km/yr (7% domestic, 2% industrial, 91% agricultural).
Per capita Freshwater Withdrawal: : 39 cu m/yr (2000)
Access to improved sources of drinking water: 84% of population
Access to improved sanitation facilities: 54% of population
Agriculture
Agricultural Products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Irrigated Land: 30 sq km (2003)
Resources
Natural Resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum.
Energy
| Production | Consumption | Exports | Imports | Reserves | |
| Electricity | 45 million kWh (2005) | 41.85 million kWh (2005) | 0 kWh (2005) | 0 kWh (2005) | |
| Oil | 0 bbl/day (2005) | 2,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2004) | 2,080 bbl/day (2004) | 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Natural Gas | 0 cu m (2005 est.) | 0 cu m (2005 est.) | 0 cu m (2005 est.) | 0 cu m (2005 est.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Source: CIA Factbook | |||||
Economy
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.
The economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP.
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| The uninhabited island group Ilhéus Secos or Ilhéus do Rombo with parts of the city of Nova Sintra on Brava, Cape Verde. Source: Ingo Wölbern/Wikimedia Commons. |
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.
Cape 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.
Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $2.04 billion (2011 est.)
GDP (Official Exchange Rate): $1.9 billion (2011 est.)
GDP-per capita (PPP): $4,000 (2011 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.5%
industry: 16%
services: 75.5% (2011 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line: 30% (2000)
Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair
Exports: fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Imports: foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Ports and Terminals: Porto Grande
Citation
Central Intelligence Agency, World Wildlife Fund, National Aeronautics and Space Administra (Lead Author);CIA World Factbook (Content Source);Lakhdar Boukerrou, Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Cape Verde". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth May 30, 2009; Last revised Date February 5, 2012; Retrieved February 10, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Cape_Verde>
The Authors
The Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry S. Truman. The act also created a Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to serve as head of the United States intelligence community; act as the principal adviser to the President for intelligence matters related to the national security; and serve as head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 amended the National Securit ... (Full Bio)
Known worldwide by its panda logo, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on Earth. With nearly 1.2 million members in the U.S. and another 4 million worldwide, WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation organization. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: 1) saving endangered ... (Full Bio)
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite. NASA grew out of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, which had been researching flight technology for more than 40 years. Today, NASA conducts its work in four principle organizations, called mission directorates: Aeronautics: pioneering and proving new flight technologies that improve our ab ... (Full Bio)
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