About Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde Overview

Buying a property in the Cape Verde offers an exciting opportnity to invest in a dream property abroad. Situated just off the west coast of Africa beneath the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Verde islands are often compared to the Caribbean, being on the same latitude as Barbados.

One of the main attractions of these islands is the crystal clear water bathing its sandy shores, ideal for all kinds of water sports, Cape Verde has long been a haven for divers, sports fishermen and windsurfers from all over the world. Other activities include trekking, horse riding, golf or simply soaking up the sun whilst relaxing on one of the numerous paradisiacal beaches.

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 (the Capeverdian Fado) and the urban Cape Verdian kizomba, and a wide variety of dances: the soft dance Morna, the Funana - a sensual mixed Portuguese and African dance, the extreme sensuality of coladeira (literally "glued"), and the African Batuque dance. These 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.

Portuguese is Cape Verde's official language, and the language of instruction in official schools. However, the Capeverdean Crioulo languages are also widely spoken. These are a range of Portuguese-based creole languages, which vary considerably from island to island. There is a substantial body of literature in these languages, especially in the Crioulo of Santiago (bádiu) and the Crioulo of São Vicente (criol di de Soncente). The Crioulo languages have been gaining prestige since the nation's independence from Portugal, and there is a movement to make the variant of Santiago the official language of the country. However, the substantial differences between the languages spoken in different islands, each with its traditional spelling system, has been a major obstacle in the way of this move. Some people have advocated the development of two unformized official languages: a North (Barlavento) standard, centered on the Crioulo of San Vicente, and a South (Sotavento) standard, centered on that of Santiago.

Cape Verde is divided into 17 counties (concelhos, singular - concelho), sometimes referred to as municipalities (municípios, singular - município), listed roughly clockwise: Santo Antão island: Paúl Porto Novo Ribeira Grande São Vicente Santa Luzia island (included in S. Vicente municipio) São Nicolau Sal Boa Vista Maio Santiago island: Praia Santa Catarina Santa Cruz São Domingos São Miguel Tarrafal Fogo island: São Filipe Mosteiros Brava

Capital: Praia - 14°55'N 23°31'W
Largest city: Praia
Official language(s): Portuguese (official) and nine Portuguese Creoles
Government: President Prime Minister Republic Pedro Pires José Maria Neves
Independence: from Portugal Recognized July 5, 1975
Area: - Total - Water (%) 4,033 km² (165th) 1,557 sq mi Negligible
Population: - July 2005 est. - 2001 census - Density 507,000 (164th) 401,343 101/km² (71st) 262/sq mi
GDP: (PPP) - Total - Per capita 2005 estimate $2.99 billion (171st) $5,858 (96th)
HDI: (2003) 0.721 (105th) – medium
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Time zone: (UTC-1)
Internet TLD: .cv
Calling code: +238

Travel facts

Best time to go October to June
Approx flight time 7¾ hours flight from London to Sal, via Lisbon - Direct flights now in peration
Time difference 1 hour behind
Visa (with UK passport) Required
Cape Verde Honorary Consul: Mr Joao Roberto, 18-20 Stanley Street Liverpool L1 6AF. Tel: 0151 236 0206
Health risks Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Diphtheria recommended. Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Rabies sometimes recommended. Yellow Fever certificate may be required MASTA
Currency Cape Verde escudo - Check out the latest rates use our currency converter
Language Portuguese