Nationality:
Noun and adjective—Capeverdean(s).
Population (2004):
472,000.
Annual growth rate (2004):
4.9%.
Ethnic groups: Creole
(mixed African and Portuguese),
African, European.
Religions: Roman
Catholic, Protestant.
Languages: Portuguese
(official); Creole (national).
Education:
Literacy (2004):76%.
Health:
Infant mortality rate (2001): 37/1,000.
Life expectancy
(2004): 70 yrs.
The Cape Verde archipelago was
uninhabited until the Portuguese
discovered the islands in 1456.
African slaves were brought to
the islands to work on
Portuguese plantations. As a
result, Capeverdeans are of
mixed African and European
origin. The influence of African
culture is most pronounced on
the island of Santiago, where
half the population resides.
Sparse rain and few natural
resources historically have
induced Capeverdeans to
emigrate. It is believed that of
the more than 1 million
individuals of Capeverdean
ancestry, fewer than half
actually live on the islands.
Some 500,000 people of
Capeverdean ancestry live in the
United States, mainly in New
England. Portugal, Netherlands,
Italy, and France.
The official language is
Portuguese, but most
Capeverdeans also speak a Creole
dialect—Creole - which is based
on archaic Portuguese but
influenced by African and
European languages. Cape Verde
has a rich tradition of Creole
literature and music.
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