total population: 70.41 years
country comparison to the world: 144
male: 68.24 years
female: 72.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.54 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.04% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
775 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
225 (as of 2001)
country comparison to the world: 103
Nationality:
noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups:
Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly
Church of the Nazarene)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West
African words)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.6%
male: 85.8%
female: 69.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 39
Government ::Cape Verde
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Praia
geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W
time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative 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
Independence:
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution:
25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995
substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision
created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Legal system:
based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES (since 22
March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1
February 2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 February 2006
(next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the National
Assembly and appointed by the president
election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote -
Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 January 2006 (next to be held on 6
February 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%,
UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders:
African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria
Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean
Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC
[Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor
FIDALGO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for
Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work
and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or
PSD [Joao ALEM]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: environmentalists; political pressure groups
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union
Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general: Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dana BROWN
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00
FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55
Flag description:
five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to
one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of
white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom
stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of
10, yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and
positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue
stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the
10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the
road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort
(red)
National anthem:
name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)
lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
note: adopted 1996
Economy ::Cape Verde
Economy - overview:
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base,
including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term
drought and poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands. The
economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and
public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although
nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food
production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The
fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited.
Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign
aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances
supplement GDP by more than 20%. Despite the lack of resources,
sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes.
Continued economic reforms are aimed at developing the private
sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.
Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the
encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the
government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the
WTO in July 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.861 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
$1.781 billion (2009 est.)
$1.749 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.573 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
1.8% (2009 est.)
5.9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$3,600 (2009 est.)
$3,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 16.2%
services: 74.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
196,100 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 169
Unemployment rate:
21% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Population below poverty line:
30% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)
Investment (gross fixed):
36.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 54
7.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.98% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
9.99% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$585 million (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 155
$628.4 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.314 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
$1.399 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.179 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
$1.256 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts;
fish
Industries:
food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt
mining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - consumption:
232.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - consumption:
2,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Oil - imports:
1,619 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Current account balance:
-$286 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
-$319 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$114 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
$105 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
Exports - partners:
Spain 53.98%, Portugal 22.23%, Morocco 7.13% (2009)
Imports:
$858 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
$835 million (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels
Imports - partners:
Portugal 44.86%, Netherlands 15.51%, Spain 6.1%, Italy 4.46%, Brazil
4.21% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$296 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$284 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$325 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 169
Exchange rates:
Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.58 (2010), 79.377
(2009), 73.84 (2008), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006)
Communications ::Cape Verde
Telephones - main lines in use:
72,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 153
Telephones - mobile cellular:
392,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 165
Telephone system:
general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from
1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995
domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT);
fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing
Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in
1998; broadband services launched in 2004
international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2
fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to
South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and
Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
(2007)
Broadcast media:
state-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of
private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for
Africa are available; transmissions of a few international
broadcasters are obtainable (2007)
Internet country code:
.cv
Internet hosts:
26 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 215
Internet users:
150,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 148
Transportation ::Cape Verde
Airports:
10 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 156
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 1,350 km
country comparison to the world: 178
paved: 932 km
unpaved: 418 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 13
country comparison to the world: 104
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7
foreign-owned: 3 (Spain 1, UK 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Porto Grande
Military ::Cape Verde
Military branches:
People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard
(includes maritime air wing) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service;
14-month conscript service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 128,858
females age 16-49: 133,581 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 103,894
females age 16-49: 114,721 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,077
female: 6,075 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 165
Transnational Issues ::Cape Verde
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined
for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to
Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug
money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that
criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and
other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial
Intelligence Unit (2008)
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Cayman Islands
Background:
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during
the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after
1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation
of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the
Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
Geography ::Cayman Islands
Location:
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little
Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest
of Jamaica
Geographic coordinates:
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 264 sq km
country comparison to the world: 210
land: 264 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
160 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool,
relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m
Natural resources:
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues:
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be
met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note:
important location between Cuba and Central America
People ::Cayman Islands
Population:
50,209
country comparison to the world: 206
note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.6% (male 4,824/female 4,783)
15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,994/female 17,884)
65 years and over: 9.3% (male 2,139/female 2,411) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.4 years
male: 38 years
female: 38.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.338% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Birth rate:
12.29 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Death rate:
5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Net migration rate:
16.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 2
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2010
est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.016 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 169
male: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.57 years
country comparison to the world: 20
male: 77.91 years
female: 83.27 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic
groups 20%
Religions:
Church of God 25.5%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian / United
Church 9.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal
6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, other religions 4%, non-denominational 5.7%,
other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)
Languages:
English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 161
Government ::Cayman Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: George Town (on Grand Cayman)
geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake
Bay, West End, Western
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:
The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009
Legal system:
British common law and local statutes
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010)
head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)
cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on
the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members
of the Legislative Assembly)
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 members elected by
popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than
May 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court
Political parties and leaders:
People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; United
Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Trust
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO
(associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided
through the US Embassy in Jamaica
Flag description:
a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple,
representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing
Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion,
symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars
(representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy
lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
National anthem:
name: "Beloved Isle Cayman"
lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS
note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a
territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem,
"God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Cayman Islands
Economy - overview:
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore
financial center. More than 93,000 companies were registered in the
Cayman Islands as of 2008, including almost 300 banks, 800 insurers,
and 10,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997.
Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75%
of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the
luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America.
Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.9 million in 2008, with about half
from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must
be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per
capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.25 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
$2.23 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.25 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
0.9% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$43,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force:
39,000
country comparison to the world: 198
note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 19.1%
services: 79% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 37
4.4% (2004)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 121
4.4% (2004)
Stock of narrow money:
$334.3 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Stock of broad money:
$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
$183.5 million (31 December 2007)
$188.4 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Industries:
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction
materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
546 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - consumption:
507.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Oil - exports: