Cape Verde or Cabo Verde

Cape Verde is an archipelago in the Atlantic 385 mi (500 km) west of Senegal. These once uninhabited islands were first discovered by the ancient Phoenicians, then later colonized and exploited by the Portuguese, beginning in the 15th century.

In the 16th century the islands became an infamous trading center for African slaves, and eventually, an important stop for transatlantic sea traffic in the 19th century. After becoming an overseas province of Portugal in 1951, the islands gained their independence on July 5, 1975.

Most of the indigenous people are descendants of African slaves, and some still speak Crioulo, a Creole dialect.

The local economy depends on agriculture and limited tourism. Unfortunately, consistent drought has ravaged Cape Verde for decades, and many of the residents have moved away as food shortages are commonplace.

Three islands--Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio--generally are level and very dry. Mountains higher than 1,280 meters (4,200 ft.) are found on Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão, and São Nicolau.

Sand carried by high winds has created spectacular rock formations on all islands, especially the windward ones. Sheer, jagged cliffs rise from the sea on several of the mountainous islands. Natural vegetation is sparse in the uplands and coast, but interior valleys support denser growth.

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