Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. It is formed by 10 main islands and about 8 islets.
Geographic coordinates: 16° 0' N, 24° 0' W
Coastline km: 965 km km
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation: highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Population: 418,224 (July 2005 est.)
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Capital: Praia
Divisions: 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal