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Cape Verde was uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived in 1456. The islands became a trading centre for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. In 1975, the islands became independent. All islands are volcanic, but an active volcano exists only on Fogo
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REPUBLIC OF CAPE VERDE - REPUBLICA DE CABO VERDE
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DETAILED MAP
MAP OF AFRICA
Capital:Praia
Largest city: Praia
Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, 500 km west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 14°55?N 23°31?W
Area:4.033 km²
Border countries: Atlantic Ocean
Coastline: 965 km
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Mt. Fogo 2.829 m (volcano on Fogo Island)
Population: 418.224 (July 2005)
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%. Most inhabitants of Cape Verde are mestiços, descendants of the white Portuguese settlers and black African slaves.
Languages: Portuguese, Portuguese-based creole languages, which vary considerably from island to island. Capeverdean Crioulos are usually classified into two branches: South or Sotavento (Kriolu): Santiago (Bádiu), Maio, Fogo, and Brava. -- North or Barlavento (Criol): São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, and Santo Antão.
Religions:Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Administrative divisions: Barlaventos (northern island group): Santo Antão (Paúl Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande), São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista
Sotaventos (southern island group): Maio, Santiago (Praia, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, São Domingos, São Miguel, Tarrafal), Fogo (São Filipe, Mosteiros), Brava. Of these, only Santa Luzia and the five islets are uninhabited.
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