Interesting Cape Verde Facts
Cape Verde is an island country located in West Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the smallest island countries on the continent of Africa where it spreads across approximately 4,033 sq km (1.557 square miles) of land. The country is formed of eight islets and ten islands. The names of the ten islands are Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. The estimated overall population of Cape Verde is more than 525,000 people.
Check out interesting Cape Verde facts and information about this West African country with our fact file for kids. Explore important facts about the islands, size, location, population, language, religion, geography, famous landmarks, history and culture of Cape Verde.
Learn about Africa with our interesting country facts for kids based on questions such as: What continent is Cape Verde in? What color is the flag of Cape Verde? What famous landmarks are there in Cape Verde? What type of animals live in Cape Verde? What is the main religion of Cape Verde? What is the geography of Cape Verde like?
Cape Verde Fact File: Continent: Africa *** Country Name(s): Republic of Cabo Verde, Republica de Cabo Verde *** Cape Verde Location: West Africa *** Cape Verde Border Countries: None *** Capital City: Praia *** Size of Cape Verde: 4,033 sq km 1.557 square miles) *** Estimated Population: over 525,000 *** Main Religion(s): Roman Catholic *** Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) *** Language(s): Portuguese *** Country Code for Cape Verde: +238 *** Largest Cities / Towns: Praia, Mindelo, Assomada, Porto Novo, Sao Filipe, Pedra Badejo, Tarrafal, Espargos, Ribeira Brava and Calheta de Sao Miguel *** Geography of Cape Verde: Pico do Fogo (highest point and most active volcano), Pedra Lume Salt Crater, coastal regions to cliffs, mountains, salt flats, valleys, rich forests and lush vegetation *** Famous Landmarks of Cape Verde: Museum of Culture in Santa Maria, Fortress of San Felipe, Lighthouse of D. Maria Pia, cathedrals, churches, chapels, and various historical sites, monuments and buildings of interest
Interesting Cape Verde Facts for Kids
Interesting Facts for Kids 1: Where is Cape Verde located?
Cape Verde is located on the continent of Africa. It is situated in West Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean and has no border countries as it is formed of 10 islands and 8 islets.
Interesting Facts for Kids 2: Cape Verde population and size
Cape Verde is a small country, composing of islands, in Africa. The estimated total area size of this West African country is 4,033 sq km (1.557 square miles). It is predicted that the country has a population of more than 525,000 with Cape Verde’s most populous city being the capital city of Praia, located on the island of Santiago.
Interesting Facts for Kids 3: The capital of Cape Verde
TThe capital city of Cape Verde is Praia which is positioned in the south of Santiago island in the Sotavento islands group of the country. Praia is the most populated city on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde and has an estimated population of 127,800 inhabitants. There are numerous fascinating landmarks in the capital city of this island country including the Lighthouse (Farol de D. Maria Pia), Diogo Gomes Monument, Church of Our Lady of Grace, and Avenida 5 de Julho. Praia serves as the largest city and thus, the core of Cape Verde's economy. The city is home to an international airport and a major ferry port. Fishing is one of the most important industries in this country, as is the production of food items such as fruit, coffee and sugar that are produced locally.
Interesting Facts for Kids 4: Cape Verde major cities
There are numerous major cities in Cape Verde, the names of the largest and most important cities and towns include the country’s capital Praia, and Mindelo, Assomada, Porto Novo, Sao Filipe, Pedra Badejo, Tarrafal, Espargos, Ribeira Brava and Calheta de Sao Miguel. The second largest city in Cape Verde is called Mindelo and it can be found on the island of Sao Vicente. Most of the island's population live in this region which has a large harbor and is rich in history and culture. Mindelo is important to the country's economy as it deals in shipping and fishing, and serves as a tourist resort offering accommodation and restaurants to its visitors.
Interesting Facts for Kids 5: Cape Verde flag facts
The national flag of Cape Verde, which incorporates four colors in its design, was adopted on September 22, 1992, and is formed by five horizontal stripes which appear in the order of dark blue, white, red, white, and dark blue from top to bottom. The horizontal stripes are not equal in size. The top bar has the greatest size, and the bottom has the second greatest. The white and red stripes are thin and symbolize the road to the formation of Cape Verde with the colors bearing great significance; red showing the effort in its construction and white expressing peace. The dark blue bars, which occupy the majority of the flag's overall design, are representative of the ocean and sky. The Cape Verdean flag can be identified by 10 five pointed, yellow stars which form part of the flags design. The stars are positioned left of the centre, towards the hoist, in a circular arrangement where they are situated central of the red stripe whilst still appearing in all five horizontal bars of the ensign. The 10 stars of this African country's flag represent the 10 major islands of the nation: Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
Interesting Facts for Kids 6: Language of Cape Verde
The main and official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese which is spoken by the majority of the population and used in all manners of business and media. Cape Verdean Creole is a Portuguese based language native to the people of Cape Verde.
Interesting Facts for Kids 7: What is the main religion of Cape Verde?
The main religion of Cape Verde is Roman Catholic. The overwhelming majority of the Cape Verdean population, almost 80 percent, belong to the Roman Catholic religion. The rest of the population are either non-religious or belong to other faiths including Christian, Protestant and Muslim.
Interesting Facts for Kids 8: Cape Verde food facts
The cuisine in Cape Verde is influenced by Portuguese cuisine as Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony until 1975. The most common types of foods used in Cape Verdean dishes include eggs, fried potatoes, cassava, rice, beans and corn, plus various vegetables such as carrots, squash and kale. Many recipes are accompanied by meats such as chicken and pork, or fish such as tuna and sawfish. The most popular Cape Verdean foods include cachupa (stew), arroz de cabidela de marisco, dadal (rice and seafood), fried moray, bafa (squid, rice and fries), grilled peas, and camarao em vinha de alhos (shrimp in garlic wine).
Interesting Facts for Kids 9: Cape Verde climate facts
The climate of Cape Verde varies across the islands. Its location in the Atlantic Ocean means that cooler temperatures and climate conditions are generally experienced here than on the mainland of Africa. Some of the islands are particularly arid as they do not experience regular rainfall. The islands tend to receive the most rainfall from August to October. Depending on the time of year, the average high temperature in Praia, the capital city on the island of Sal, ranges from around 26 to 31 degrees Celsius, where as the average low temperatures tends to fall between 19 and 24 degrees Celsius.
Interesting Facts for Kids 10: Cape Verde geography facts
The geography of Cape Verde differs from island to island. The country is formed of eight islets and ten islands. The names of the ten islands are Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. They are separated between the windward islands of Barlavento and leeward islands of Sotavento. Nine of the islands are inhibited. Sal, Boa Vista and Maio are flatter and drier than the rest of the islands of Cape Verde which have rockier areas and generally see the growth of more vegetation. Salt flats dominate areas of Maio and Sal. The islands are volcanic structures composed mainly of igneous rocks. Mountains rise high on many of the islands with the highest peak of Cape Verde occurring at Pico do Fogo which rises to 2,828m above sea level. Located on the island of Fogo, Pico do Fogo is an active stratovolcano which has experienced several eruptions over recent years. Each island has its own unique geography which ranges from coastal regions to cliffs, mountains, volcanoes, salt flats, valleys, rich forests and lush vegetation which allows for the development of sugarcanes and banana plantations on some of the islands.
Interesting Facts for Kids 11: Cape Verde famous landmarks
There are many impressive landmarks, monuments and buildings in Cape Verde including the Museum of Culture in Santa Maria, Fortress of San Felipe, Lighthouse of D. Maria Pia, cathedrals, churches, chapels, and various historical sites, monuments and buildings of interest.
Interesting Facts for Kids 12: What is Cape Verde famous for?
Cape Verde is famous for being a popular tourist destination as people are attracted to the beautiful beaches, rich culture and stunning scenery that the islands have to offer.
Interesting Facts for Kids 13: Cape Verde culture facts
Cape Verde has a rich culture that is influenced by cuisine, sports, music, dance, film and literature. The cuisine in this part of Africa is centred around fish, vegetables, fruit and staple foods such as rice. Music and dance often accompany celebrations and special occasions. The country enjoys various sports and boasts its own national basketball team and national football team. Watersports such as kiteboarding and wave sailing are also popular in Cape Verde.
Interesting Facts for Kids 14: Cape Verde history facts
The first human inhabitants came from Europe and arrived during the 15th Century. Before this time, the islands were unoccupied. Portuguese explorers discovered Cape Verde and colonized the archipelago of islands. The island group became an important part of the Atlantic slave trade that occurred from the 15th to 19th century. During these years, Cape Verde thrived as it was used as a trading centre for slaves. The islands were favored by sea merchants, pirates and privateers who took advantage of their location off the coast of West Africa.
Interesting Facts for Kids 15: When did Cape Verde achieve independence?
Cape Verde faced an economic struggle during the 19th century when the slave trade came to an end, and for a time, the archipelago of islands became less important. However, the situation began to recover when the harbour of Mindelo was identified as being an excellent stopping point and location for transatlantic shipping, and thus, it became a prominent commercial centre. Portugal changed the status of Cape Verde from a colony to an overseas department of Portugal in 1951, and following a long, hard struggle, Cape Verde eventually gained independence in 1975.