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FACT
FILE
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Location:
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Western Africa,
group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal |
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Geographic coordinates:
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16 00 N, 24 00 W |
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Map references:
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Political Map of
the World |
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Area:
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total:
4,033 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 4,033 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger
than Rhode Island |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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965 km |
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Maritime claims:
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measured from
claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM |
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Climate:
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temperate; warm,
dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic |
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Terrain:
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steep, rugged,
rocky, volcanic |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mt.
Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) |
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Natural resources:
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salt, basalt
rock, limestone, kaolin, fish |
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Land use:
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arable land:
10%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 90% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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30 sq km (1998
est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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prolonged
droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically
and seismically active |
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Environment - current issues:
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soil erosion;
demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of
birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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strategic
location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea
routes; important communications station; important sea and air
refueling site |
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Capital: Praia
Area: 4 33km²
Population: 394 000
Currency: 1 US$ = 95 Escudos
GDP: 126/1 862$US
HDI : 123/547
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo
Ethnic groups: Mestizo 71%, Black 28%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 96%
H of S: Antonio Montero '91 |
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