Cape Verde Fun Facts for Kids

The recorded history of Cabo Verde began when the Portuguese discovered the country in 1456. The islands were uninhabited, and the Portuguese established their initial settlement on the island of Santiago, which was the first European settlement in the tropics.  They named the country Cabo Verde (Cape Verde). Since Cape Verde was positioned on the trade routes between Africa, Europe, and the New World, it became involved in the transatlantic slave trade and became very rich. As a result of this wealth, European pirates and privateers were attracted to the islands. In 1585, the famous Sir Francis Drake captured the capital Ribeira Grande, and Praia became the new capital. Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony until 1951, when it became an Overseas Province. On July 5th, 1975, Cape Verde gained full independence from Portugal.

The flag of Cape Verde is made up of five unequal horizontal stripes of blue, white, and red. It also has a circle of ten yellow stars, which symbolize the 10 main islands of Cape Verde. This flag was adopted on September 22, 1992.

Cape Verde is an archipelago made up of ten islands and several islets. It is located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, 570 km off the west coast of Africa. These islands have varying landscapes, from plains to volcanoes. On several of the more mountainous islands, erosion has resulted in sheer jagged cliffs rising from the ocean.

World Land Mass Ranking: 174th

Highest Mountain: Pico do Fogo, 2,829 m. (9,281 ft.)

Longest River: Santo Antão, 42.75 km. (26.56 mi.)

Portuguese (official), Cape Verdian Creole.

Cape Verde Population: 543,767 (as of 2018)
Capital City: Praia
Capital City Population: 159,050 (as of 2017)

Cape Verde has a has a tropical arid climate, with milder temperatures than the African mainland. This is mainly due to cool sea currents and trade winds. The Cape Verde climate is semi-desert since the annual rainfall is only 261 mm (10.3 in). Cape Verde has two seasons, a windy season from mid-October to mid-July, and a rainy season from mid-August to mid-October.

• Cesária Évora
• Eugénio Tavares
• Henrique Teixeira de Sousa
• Lidiane Lopes

• 

  The cuisine of Cape Verde is influenced by West African, Portuguese, and European cuisine. Seafood makes up a large part of Cape Verdean cuisine, including tuna, lobster, swordfish, octopus, mackerel, and shrimp. The national dish of Cape Verde is Cachupa, which is a hearty stew made with beans, corn, vegetables, and fish or meat.

  The picture is a picture of Cachupa, the national dish of Cape Verde.

• 

  Water sports are popular among both locals and tourists in Cape Verde. The windy conditions in Cape Verde, especially between November and March, are perfect for kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailing, and surfing. Other common water sports include kayaking and diving. The most popular sport in Cape Verde is football, but volleyball, basketball, golf, and tennis are quite popular as well.

  The picture is a picture of the the Estádio da Várzea stadium in Praia, Cape Verde.

• 

  Cape Verdean culture is largely influenced by centuries of Portuguese rule, but traditional African culture is also present on the islands. Music is an important part of Cabo Verdean life, especially Morna, which is a type of folk music usually sung in Cape Verdean Creole. The most famous performer of Morna is Cesária Évora, who has received international acclaim for her singing. The most prominent religion in Cabo Verde is Christianity, and over 93% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic. Literature, poetry, and theatre are also important aspects of Cape Verdean culture.

  The picture is a picture of a group playing Morna.

  Cape Verde is a beautiful country with wonderful people.

  Download questions about the Cape Verde here: Cape Verde (answers are on this page)

  Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on Cape Verde. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets

  For further reading and more info on the Cape Verde visit https://kids.kiddle.co/Cape_Verde

1. Manatees are the national animal of Cape Verde.

2. The currency of Cape Verde is the Cape Verdean Escudo.

3. Just 10% of Cape Verde’s land is suitable for agriculture.

4. The official name of the country is the Republic of Cabo Verde.

5. The life expectancy in Cape Verde is about 75 years.

6. Cape Verde has one of the most stable governments in Africa.

7. There are more Cape Verdean living abroad than in the country.

8. Cape Verde is a representative parliamentary republic.

9. Sugar cane liquor is a popular drink in Cape Verde.

10. It is the third-largest nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

1. How many islands make up Cape Verde? +

2. What is the capital of Cape Verde? +

3. What is the tallest mountain in Cape Verde? +

4. Who were the first settlers of Cape Verde? +

5. How many stars are on the Cape Verdean flag? +

6. Name a food that is popular in Cape Verde? +

7. What is the population of Cape Verde as of 2018? +

8. How many seasons does Cape Verde have? +

9. What is the main religion in Cape Verde? +

10. What is the longest river in Cape Verde? +