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
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.