Cape Verde: flag, capital, currency and history
Cape Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is a country in Western Africa, Africa. Its capital is Praia. The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo. Languages spoken include Portuguese.
Quick facts about Cape Verde
- Official name
- Republic of Cabo Verde
- Capital
- Praia
- Region
- Africa, Western Africa
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE, Esc)
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Calling code
- +238
- Internet domain
- .cv
- Area
- 4,033 km² (1,557 sq mi)
- Land borders
- None (island or surrounded by water)
- Demonym
- Cape Verdian
- National day
- Independence Day, July 5
Flag of Cape Verde
Download the flag of Cape Verde as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇨🇻.
History of Cape Verde
The Cape Verde islands were uninhabited when Portuguese navigators reached them in the mid-1400s. Settlement began in the 1460s, and the islands became a hub of the Atlantic slave trade and a stopover for shipping, producing a Creole society of European and African heritage. Portugal ruled the archipelago for over five centuries, and droughts and famines repeatedly struck the population. An independence movement led by the PAIGC, shared with Guinea-Bissau, brought independence in 1975. A single-party system gave way to multiparty politics in 1990-91. The country is officially named Cabo Verde and is a republic.
Key dates
- c. 1460Portuguese navigators reach the uninhabited Cape Verde islands.
- 1462Settlement begins at Ribeira Grande on Santiago island.
- 1956Amilcar Cabral and others found the PAIGC, which campaigns for independence.
- 1975Cape Verde becomes independent from Portugal.
- 1991First multiparty elections are held after the end of single-party rule.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Cape Verde
Cape Verde uses the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE, Esc). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Cape Verde?
The capital of Cape Verde is Praia.
What currency does Cape Verde use?
Cape Verde uses the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE, symbol Esc).
What languages are spoken in Cape Verde?
Languages used in Cape Verde include Portuguese.
What is the calling code of Cape Verde?
The international calling code of Cape Verde is +238. Its internet domain is .cv.
Which countries border Cape Verde?
Cape Verde has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Cape Verde?
Cape Verde is in Africa, in the region of Western Africa.
What is the national day of Cape Verde?
Cape Verde marks Independence Day on July 5.
More countries in Western Africa
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).