Traveling Luck for Cape Verde. Cape Verde, Africa

Cape Verde is located in Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal.

Land in Cape Verde is steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic.

Cape Verdean land covers an area of 4033 square kilometers which is slightly larger than Rhode Island

Cape Verdean flag Cape Verdean national flag (Flag of Cape Verde)

As for the Cape Verdean climate; temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic.

Cape Verdean(s) speak Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words).

Places of note in Cape Verde

Cape Verdean Map Cape Verdean map

Regions of Cape Verde

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.

Country Profile for Cape Verde

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 66% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.

Cape Verdean natural resources include salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site

Cape Verdean religion is Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene).

Natural hazards in Cape Verde include prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active.

Travel Advice for Cape Verde

Cape Verde

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Entry Requirements section (change of address for Ambassador).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • There is no UK representation in Cape Verde.  However, Mr Antonio Canuto, the British Honorary Consul in Mindelo, Sao Vicente island can provide limited assistance in an emergency.

  • The threat from terrorism is low.

  • Most visits to Cape Verde are trouble-free.  The main type of incidents for which British nationals have required consular assistance in Cape Verde are crime related, loss of documents and illness.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Terrorism

The threat from terrorism is judged to be low but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.  Please read Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas page for further information and guidance.
Crime
Crime rates in Cape Verde are low but there have been incidents of muggings involving British nationals.  You should avoid carrying valuables in public and remain vigilant at all times.
Political Situation
The political situation is stable.  Legislative elections, which passed off peacefully, took place on 22 January 2006.
Cape Verde Country Profile
Road Safety
Traffic is usually light and road conditions and driving standards are generally of a reasonable quality.
Sea Safety
Sea conditions around Cape Verde are sometimes treacherous.  Mariners should take local advice.  Travel by sea to the southern islands of Fogo and Brava in particular can be significantly disrupted.
Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British nationals require a visa to enter Cape Verde.  Cape Verde's Ambassador to the UK is Fernando Wahnon Ferreira, based in Brussels.  His address is: Ambassade du Cap-Vert, Avenue Jeanne 29, 1000 Bruxelles, tel. +32 2 64 69 025/64 36 270; fax 32 2 64 63 385, email: emb.caboverde@skynet.be.  For those travelling via Senegal there is a Cape Verde Embassy in Dakar.  Specialist travel agents dealing with Cape Verde can also arrange visas.


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you take our comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights, and stolen cash, cards, passports and luggage.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help.
There is no British Embassy in Cape Verde.  The British Ambassador to Cape Verde resides at Dakar.  Mr Antonio Canuto, the British Honorary Consul in Mindelo, Sao Vicente island, can provide limited assistance in an emergency; (tel: +238 2322830), or ask for Mr Canuto's assistant, Isabel Spencer (tel: (238) 2323512/2323123; fax: +238 2321284).
Money
The Cape Verde Escudo is tied to the Euro at CV Esc 110.27 = 1 Euro.  Banks will exchange hard currencies.  Main hotels and restaurants will accept the major credit cards.