Part 135

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 area: 4,030 sq km land area: 4,030 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 965 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico 2,829 m

Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin, fish

Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 85%

Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)

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 indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic 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

People ------

Population: 449,066 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 114,206; female 110,276) 15-64 years: 46% (male 90,593; female 117,485) 65 years and over: 4% (male 6,450; female 10,056) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 44.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 54.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.39 years male: 61.47 years female: 65.41 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean

Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%