Facts and Information about Cape Verde

The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are windy, hilly, dry - almost lunar - and fairly sleepy. But there's beauty in them thar parched hills. And some of the islands are actually lush. There's good diving and hiking, lively nightlife and plenty of quiet corners to hide away in.

Cidade Velha, once called Ribeira Grande, was the first town built by the Portuguese in Africa and is now a Unesco world heritage site. The best-preserved structures are the ruins of the old cathedral, constructed in 1693 during the city's heyday, and the Pillory in the park where enslaved captives were chained up and displayed.

Cape Verde - National Development Plan
The government is implementing a whole series of programmes through its National Development Plan (NDP - 2001-2005) supported by Cape Verde's international donors to improve the infrastructures fundamental to the development of the archipelago into a quality tourism destination. Programmes under the NDP in areas such as transportation (air, maritime, inter-island and road transportation), communication, banking, health provision, electricity, water and sanitation provision and professional training are included under the NDP. A healthy tourism industry is seen as the main area for development, targeted by the government in its strategy for sustainable economic development.

Cape Verde - Tourism and Air Infrastructure
The new airport in Praia on Santiago island (operational July 2005) subject to official approval after safety checks by the CAA, will open a vital second international gateway to the Cape Verde islands from Europe and allow common aircraft such as the Airbus A310, A320, A319 and Boeing 767, 737 and 757. It’s the opening of this airport that is seen as the dawn of the bright future in tourism for the Cape Verde Islands and in turn boost ROI prospects for early property investors on the islands.

The Cape Verde national Airline TACV will operate routes from the UK (November 2006) and from Lisbon and Paris as soon as the airport is open. A further boost to investors is that there is an "Open Skies" policy allowing other airlines to fly to Cape Verde and forcing lower air fares through competition.

Its essential also that demand for the Cape Verde islands is created with through high class accommodation being offered and there are plans for a 150 room 5-star hotel in the centre of Praia and also a 135 room commercial hotel. Also existing hotels are upgrading and expanding to meet the demand the new air infrastructure will bring to the Islands.

Facts and Figures

Full Name: Republic of Cape Verde
Capital City: Praia
Area: 4,030 sq km 1,556 sq miles
Population: 401,343
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -1 ()
Languages: Portuguese (official)
Religion: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant
Currency: Escudo Caboverdiano (CVEsc)
Electricity: 220V 50HzHz
Dialing Code: 238