Geography of Cape Verde

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This article describes the geography of Cape Verde.

The Cape Verde Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some 620 kilometers (385 mi.) off the west coast of Africa. The archipelago consists of 10 islands and 5 islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups. The six islands in the Barlavento group are Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista. The islands in the Sotavento group are Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava. All but Santa Luzia are inhabited.

Three islands – Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio – generally are level and lack natural water supplies. 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 caused erosion on all islands, especially the windward ones. Sheer, jagged cliffs rise from the sea on several of the mountainous islands. The lack of natural vegetation in the uplands and coast also contributes to soil erosion. Only the interior valleys support natural vegetation.

Rainfall is irregular, historically causing periodic droughts and famines. The average precipitation per year in Praia is 240 millimeters (9.5 in). During the winter, storms blowing from the Sahara sometimes form dense dust clouds that obscure the sun; however, sunny days are the norm year round.

The ocean near Cape Verde is an area of tropical cyclone formation; since these storms have the whole Atlantic to develop as they move westward, they are among the most intense hurricanes, and are called Cape Verde-type hurricanes.

Map of the Cape Verde Islands

Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: [16° N 24° W]
Map references: World
Area: * Total: 4,033 km²; * Land: 4,033 km²; * Water: 0 km²
Area – comparative: US: slightly larger than Rhode Island; UK: slightly larger than Suffolk
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: * Measured from claimed archipelagic baselines; * Contiguous zone: 24 nm (44.5 km); * Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (370.4 km); * Territorial sea: 12 nm (22.2 km)

Cape Verde satellite image

Climate: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes: * Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m; * Highest point: Mount Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural resources: Salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: * Arable land: 11%; * Permanent crops: 0%; * Permanent pastures: 6%; * Forests and woodland: 0%; * Other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 km² (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: Prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues: Overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: * Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban; * Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements
Geography - note: Strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site

Geography of Cape Verde

See also