Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde is an island country in Africa with its capital in Praia and about 527,300 people. Cabo Verde is known for morna, music of love, departure and homesickness that Cesária Évora brought to audiences worldwide.

Cabo Verde in purple, with Praia marked. Outline from the same detailed coastlines the games use.

Capital: Praia
Continent: Africa
Population (2025): 527,300
Land area: 4,030 km² (1,556 sq mi)
Island country: Yes, all on islands

Find it among 54 Africa countries →Explore Cabo Verde on the map Name difficult islands

The story of Cabo Verde

Where the name comes from

Cabo Verde means “Green Cape” in Portuguese, after mainland Cap-Vert near Dakar in Senegal, not a cape on the islands.

First people

The islands were uninhabited until Portuguese settlement began on Santiago in 1462.¹

Known for

Cabo Verde is known for morna, music of love, departure and homesickness that Cesária Évora brought to audiences worldwide.^2,3

Outside contact

European settlers and Africans brought by force formed Creole societies, and the islands became a hub of the Atlantic slave trade.¹

The modern country

Independence from Portugal came in 1975.¹

Nearby countries

Quiz yourself on Africa

Can you place Cabo Verde and its neighbours on a blank map?

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