Cape Creole Verde

The United States provided emergency humanitarian aid and economic assistance to Cape Verde in the period immediately following Cape Verde's independence, as well as after natural disasters, including a hurricane that struck the island of Brava in 1982, and after a severe volcanic eruption on Fogo in 1995. The United States normally delivers about 15,000 metric tons of grain yearly to Cape Verde. Cape Verde also is eligible for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and has signed an Open Skies agreement to facilitate air travel safety and expansion. Given its comparatively high marks worldwide for good governance, Cape Verde qualified for funding in the summer of 2004 for assistance from the U.S. Government-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); Cape Verde now is negotiating a compact for a three-year assistance package worth over $80 million to address rural economic expansion, infrastructure development, and development of tourism and a comm ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - Africa

U. S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Cape Verde, May 1998Released by the Office of Francophone West African Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs.Official Name: Republic of Cape VerdePROFILEGeographyArea: 4,033 sq. km. (1,557 sq. mi.), slightly larger than Rhode Island. Cities: Capital--Praia (pop. 78,675). Other city--Mindelo (pop. 53,300). Terrain: Rugged volcanic islands. Climate: Dry, temperate. PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Cape Verdean (s). Population (1995): 386,185. Annual growth rate (1994-2000): 2.5%. Ethnic groups: Creole (mixed African and Portuguese), African, European. Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant. Languages: Portuguese (official); Crioulo (national). Education: Literacy (1994)--69.9%. Health: Infant mortality rate (1994)--48/1,000. Life expectancy (1994)--65.3 yrs. GovernmentType: Republic. Independence: July 5, 1975. Constitution: 1982; revised 1992. Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister (head of government), C ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Cape Verde provided skilled sailors and workers for the whaling ships from New England and the Netherlands. Since those ships concluded their multiyear voyages by signing off the crew at their home ports, large Cape Verdean communities came into existence in New England and Northern Europe.  The first U.S. Consulate in Cape Verde was established in 1816 to protect the whaling fleet and its crews.  In the 20th Century, Cape Verdeans in the United States established themselves across the continent, and are now found as far away as Hawaii.   In all, there are more Cape Verdeans living outside the archipelago than within it, including an estimated 350,000 in America.  Senegal and Angola each have tens of thousands of Cape Verdeans.  There are emigrants in Portugal, Italy, Luxembourg, France (10-15,000) and Holland (8-10,000).  There are substantial numbers in Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Sweden.  These processes have given Cape Verde its internationa ... [Read More]

Global IQ Quiz – International Education Week 2003

2. a. Angola. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia. The capital of Dominica is Roseau. The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo. ...

4. b. Israel. Although English is a commonly used foreign language, the official languages of Israel are Hebrew and Arabic. English is the official language of the Central American country of Belize, with Spanish, Creole, and indigenous languages also being spoken. English and Chichewa are both official languages in the African nation of Malawi. The Mediterranean island of Malta is proud of Maltese, but also considers English a second official language. The same is true of the Asian islands of the Philippines where Filipino is the other official language. ... [Read More]

Guinea-Bissau (01/05)

The rivers of Guinea and the islands of Cape Verde were among the first areas in Africa explored by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Portugal claimed Portuguese Guinea in 1446, but few trading posts were established before 1600. In 1630, a "captaincy-general" of Portuguese Guinea was established to administer the territory. With the cooperation of some local tribes, the Portuguese entered the slave trade and exported large numbers of Africans to the Western Hemisphere via the Cape Verde Islands. Cacheu became one of the major slave centers, and a small fort still stands in the town. The slave trade declined in the 19th century, and Bissau, originally founded as a military and slave-trading center in 1765, grew to become the major commercial center. ... [Read More]

Tips for Travelers to Sub Saharan Africa

March 2001 Foreword Your trip to Africa will be an adventure off the beaten path. Conditions and customs in sub-Saharan Africa can contrast sharply with those in the United States. These pages contain advice to help you avoid inconvenience and difficulties. Take our advice seriously but don’t let it keep you at home. Most Americans have unforgettable experiences in Africa. We are often welcomed and helped by Africans who are happy to share not just their scenery, but their culture and tradition ... [Read More]