Cape Verde Travel Overview

Cape Verde Travel Overview

At a glance

Capital: Praia

Official language: Portuguese

Currency: Escudo

Continent: West Africa

In the vastness of the Atlantic…

An active volcano, high mountains in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a haven of literature and dance – the island of Cape Verde offers a rich program for many wishes.

Location, population

Cape Verde was uninhabited when it was discovered. According to Countryaah, the islands were a colony of Portugal and the Portuguese brought the first slaves from West Africa to the islands, whose descendants are today’s residents. Located between 600 and 800 kilometers west of Africa, Cape Verde has no direct neighbors. The island lies on a volcanic base in front of the continent, similar to Gran Canaria, which belongs to Spain.

Reachability

There are no ferry connections from mainland Africa, the islands can only be reached by international flights. Airports are located on the islands of Sal and Saontiago.

Particularities

The island is suitable for individual tourism, as well as for those who just want to relax on the beach. However, what no one should miss is the love for celebrating the residents. Cape Verde has its own musical tradition and dance style – the Funana. It is also considered a stronghold of African literature.

Travel time

Winter rain falls on Cape Verde from August to November and can be accompanied by violent trade winds and hurricanes. The best time to travel is between December and July.

Important facts

Capital: Praia

Official language: Portuguese

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Escudo (100 Centavos)

ISO 4217 code

CVE / 132

Geography

Continent: Africa

Region: west

Geo coordinates: N 16 ° 0 ‘7.5 ” W -24 ° 0’ -47.5″

Highest mountain: Mt. Fogo (2,829 m)

Total area: 4,033 km²

Mainland: 4,033 km²

Coastline: 965 km

Politics

Dependency: Portugal until 1975

UN member since: 1975

Other political affiliation: African Union

Form of government: Presidential Republic

Economy

Cabo Verde GDP - gross domestic product

Export goods: Fish, bananas

BSP: $ 1,582,300,000

GDP: $ 1,426,000,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 1,020,000,000

Economic growth: 5.3%

Inflation rate: 0.6%

State budget revenue: $ 373000000

State budget expenditure: $ 467 billion

Export: $ 85,400,000

Import: $ 561,000,000

Gold and currency reserves: $ 183,000,000

Electricity consumption: 44 million KWh

Oil consumption: 1,300 million m³

Cultivation area: 12.23%

Bovine: 23,700 pieces

Pigs: 178,000 pieces

Fishing: 11,400 t

Demographic data

Residents: 421,000

Residents in cities: 268,000

Average age: 19.8 years

0-14 years: 37.9%

15-64 years: 55.3%

> 65 years: 6.8%

Population growth: 0.64%

Birth rate: 24.87 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 6.55 / 1,000 residents

Migration: -11.91 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 0.95

Fertility: 3.38 children / woman

Infant mortality: 46.52 ‰

Life expectancy men: 67.41 years

Life expectancy women: 74.15 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: CV

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: CPV

ISO 3166 numeric: 132

Top Level Domain: cv

IOC country code: CPV

UN / LOCODE: CV

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Transportation

Paved roads: 1,086 km

Cars: 15,000

Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 7

Health

Number of doctors: 140

Daily food intake: 3,360 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 800

Education

Illiteracy: 21%

History

Foundation: 1975

Last sovereign since: 1975

Religion

Main religious group: Christians

Crime

Prison inmates: 900

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 1,000

Defense Spending: $ 7.5 million

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Cape Verdes national airline, TACV – Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde (VR), flies non-stop from Munich to the Cape Verde Islands (Sal and Boa Vista). TACV also flies several times a week from Amsterdam to Praia. More information from the TACV agency in Munich (Tel: (089) 55 25 33 33. Internet: www.tacv.de). Information about the Cabo Verde Airpass s. Tourist traffic – national.

Other flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland go with TAP Portugal (TP) via Lisbon.

Flight times

Frankfurt – Sal: 8 hours 15; Munich – Sal: 6 hours 30; Vienna – Sal: 11h 15; Zurich – Sal: 7 hours 30.

Departure fee

No.

Arrival by ship

Mindelo on São Vicente is the largest port and is used by cruise and cargo ships. Praia also has a port. Other ports are in Sal Rei (Boavista) and Tarrafal (São Nicolau).

ON THE GO

Traveling by plane

All inhabited islands except Brava and Santo Antão are served by TACV (VR) (Internet: www.tacv.cv). In TACV in Munich (Tel: (089) 55 25 33 33. Internet: www.tacv.de) is Cabo Verde Airpass (CVAP) available. The Airpass must be purchased and paid for in Germany before traveling. The minimum number of coupons is 2, one coupon is charged for each flight segment / flight number. The CVAP is valid for a maximum of 3 weeks and can only be used in conjunction with a TACV long-distance ticket. Cabo Verde Express

offers charter flights to the islands (Internet: http://www.caboverdeexpress.com/).

On the way by car / bus

A third of the road network is paved.

Taxi
fares should be agreed in advance.

Buses:
Alguer are minibuses or pickups that are used as shared taxis and travel from village to village. They can also be rented privately.

Rental cars
are available in the main islands and should be booked in advance if possible.

Documentation:
international driver’s license.

On the way by ship

Boats and ferries run between all islands. There is a daily ferry service between Mindelo, São Vincente and Santo Antão. Cargo ships that u. U. take passengers, operate between the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.