Cape Verde Travel Guide - Understand

Cape Verde (pop. 480,000) is located 500 km from the west coast of Africa. The once uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and re-supply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Independence was achieved in 1975.

Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Climate

Cape Verde’s climate is temperate, with a warm, dry summer. Precipitation is meager and very erratic.

Holidays

The national holiday is the 5th of July, Independence Day.