Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde (pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈvɜ:rd/ ( listen); Portuguese: Cabo Verde, pronounced [ˈkabu ˈveɾdɨ]) is an island country, spanning an archipelago located in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa, opposite Mauritania and Senegal. Its size is little over 4,000 km² with an estimated population of just over 500,000. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century (though there may have been earlier discoveries), and attained independence from Portugal in 1975.
As of 2007, Cape Verde is classified as a developing country after being promoted from Least Developed Countries status. About 20% of the population lives on less than $1.25 (U.S.) a day.

Capital(and largest city)
Praia 14°55′N 23°31′W / 14.917°N 23.517°W / 14.917; -23.517
Official languages
Portuguese
Recognised regional languages
Cape Verdean Creole
Demonym
Cape Verdean
Government
Republic
-
President
Pedro Pires
-
Prime Minister
José Maria Neves
Independence
from Portugal
-
Recognised
July 5, 1975
Area
-
Total
4,033 km2 (172nd)1,557 sq mi
-
Water (%)
negligible
Population
-
2008 estimate
503,000[1] (165th)
-
2008 census
426,998[2]
-
Density
126/km2 (79th)326/sq mi
GDP (PPP)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$1.762 billion[3]
-
Per capita
$3,498[3]
GDP (nominal)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$1.723 billion[3]
-
Per capita
$3,421[3]
HDI (2007)
▲ 0.736 (medium) (102nd)
Currency
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Time zone
CVT (UTC-1)
-
Summer (DST)
not observed (UTC-1)
Drives on the
right
Internet TLD
.cv
Calling code
238