
Cape Verde Geography
Cape Verde Geography: A summary of information about Cape Verde Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Cape Verde: Geography
Location
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates
16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references
World
Area
total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
965 km
Maritime claims
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
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: Mt. 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 sq km (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