Temperate; warm dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Natural Hazards
Steep rugged rocky volcanic
Note:
Strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
Neighbouring Countries
History
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. Read more on Wikipedia
