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Cape Verde |
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| 10 Good Reasons to buy property in Cape Verde |
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This is an exciting opportunity to invest in a new growth area |
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The climate is warm and sunny with extremely low rainfall |
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They are the closest tropical islands to Europe |
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Unspoilt and diverse environment |
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Cape Verde has a stable economy, with their local currency fixed to the Euro. |
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Only 6 hours flight time direct from UK |
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Friendly locals welcoming visitors and investors to the islands |
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Many new build projects are underway in the popular tourist areas |
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Millions of euros are being spent to improve the infrastructure |
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High quality of life, low living costs |
For Cape Verde map please see below, or visit www.mapquest.com
Facts
Population : 482,000 (UN, 2005)
Capital : Praia
Area : 4,033 sq km (1,557 sq miles)
Major languages : Portuguese, Crioulo (a mixture of archaic Portuguese and African words)
Major religions : Christianity
Life expectancy : 67 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit : 1 Cape Verdean escudo = 100 centavos
Main exports : Shoes, clothes, fish, bananas, hides, pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in making cement)
GNI per capita : US $1,770 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain : .cv
International dialling code : +238
Time Zone : GMT/UTC-1
Electricity : 110V, 50Hz
Weights and Measures : Metric
Cape Verde Government website : www.governo.cv
Location
Cape Verde is a group of islands 385 miles ( 620 km ) west of Senegal, West
Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Officially known as The Republic of Cape Verde covering 4030 sq kms; there are 9 islands divided into two distinct categories.
Barlavento in the north comprising of Santo Antao ( 754 sq km ), Boa Vista
( 622 sq km ), Sao Nicolau ( 342 sq km ), Sao Vicente ( 246 sq km ), The Island of Sal ( 298 sq km ), and Santa Luzia ( 34 sq km ).
Sotavento in the south, consisting of Sao Tiago ( Santiago ) ( 992 sq km ),
Fogo ( 477 sq km ), Maio ( 267 sq km ), and Brava ( 65 sq km ).
The highest point above sea level is Mount Fogo at 2829m.
Climate
A mixture of beach and mountain terrain - with climate and travel times closely resembling the canaries ( year round temperatures are between 22-30C ) - make Cape Verde perfect for hiking and watersports and a destination that has been, for many years, a " best kept secret ".
History
Cape Verde was colonised by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century. The Portuguese used Cape Verdeans as administrators throughout their African empire, and as labour on their shipping lines. During the nineteenth century Cape Verdeans used to crew American whalers in the Atlantic. Since this time, Cape Verdeans have had a strong tradition of emigrating to find work. Major droughts and famines have historically also propelled mass migrations from the islands.
The country became independent in 1975, following the collapse of the Portuguese empire after the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon of 1974. The aspiration of the leader of the independence struggle, Amilcar Cabral, for an eventual political union between Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau was never to come to fruition however, and was abandoned in 1981 following the overthrow in Guinea Bissau of President Luis Cabral also a Cape Verdean.
Until 1981, the country was ruled by Aristide Pereira and by the party which bought independence, the PAIGC ( Partido Africano da Independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde ), which became the PAICV ( the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde ) in 1981. Pereira’s rule was stable and benevolent, but did not allow for political pluralism. In 1990, under domestic and international pressure, he opened up the political system to multipartyism.
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Culture and economy
Having achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, the islands offer a unique blend of European and African culture, temperate climate, luxury accommodation, short travel times from Europe, beautiful beach and mountain scenery and are now ripe for development.
Since 1985, when a strong tourist industry was identified as critical to the region maintaining a stable, peaceful and growing economy; successive governments have put in place policies to improve Cape Verde’s tourist infrastructure. The results are a range of tax-friendly incentives to non-resident investors leading to a rise in overseas investment and property development.
At present, the 4 islands that are experiencing the greatest tourist interest are Sal, Santiago, Boavista and Maio. To cater for its increased popularity, major development is taking place on these islands including a new international airport on Santiago, which was completed in October 2005.
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