Largest Cities in Cape Verde

Facts about Cape Verde

Official languages: Portuguese
Capital: Praia
Area: 4,033 km²
Population: 508,659 residents
Population density: 126.12 residents per km²
Currency: CVE
Internet TLD: .cv
ISO codes: CV, CPV, 132
The telephone code for Cape Verde is +238

Flag of Cape Verde

The Cape Verdean flag, which was adopted in 1992, is composed of a blue sheet and three stripes in white and red. The flag also has ten five-pointed stars arranged in a circle, which is centered towards the left side of the flag. The blue color represents the sea and the sky, and the two white and one red stripes are meant to symbolize the country’s development towards progress. The ten stars represent the ten islands of the Cape Verde archipelago and their arrangement in a circle is meant to symbolize the unity of the nation. The islands lie off the west coast of Africa and were settled by the Portuguese in the 19th century. Cape Verde was an important trading center in those days.

The former Republic of Cape Verde has changed its official name to the Republic of Cabo Verde. The request to change the name was presented to the Secretary General of the UN on October 24, 2013 by the permanent representative of the country.

Cabo Verde is an island state in Africa with nine inhabited islands in the eastern North Atlantic, 460 kilometers off the west coast of Africa. Before they were discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the islands were uninhabited. A new Creole culture emerged from the intermingling of the cultures of European settlers and African slaves.

Similar to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde has a mild oceanic climate. However, tourism is developing only slowly and contributes around ten percent to the gross national product.

Cabo Verde has no mineral resources worth mentioning and suffers from the extremely dry Sahel climate. Only on four islands is there some water for irrigated agriculture, if the annual rain does not fail to materialize. Agricultural production is insufficient for self-sufficiency, so that over 90 percent of food has to be imported.

Biggest Cities of Cape Verde by Population

Cape Verde is an island nation located off the coast of West Africa. It is made up of 10 islands, each with their own unique culture and attractions. The largest city in Cape Verde is Praia, which has a population of over 160,000 people. Located on the island of Santiago, Praia is the political and economic center of Cape Verde. This vibrant city boasts a beautiful harbor, colorful architecture, and plenty of cultural attractions.

Mindelo is another major city in Cape Verde with a population of 53,000 people. Located on the island of São Vicente, this city offers stunning beaches and a vibrant nightlife scene. Mindelo also has multiple museums that showcase its colonial history as well as its unique culture and traditions. Visitors can explore the cobbled streets lined with colonial-style buildings or take a stroll along the waterfront promenade to get a sense of this charming city.

Santa Maria is one of the most popular cities in Cape Verde due to its stunning beaches and lively atmosphere. Located on Sal Island, Santa Maria has plenty to offer visitors including markets selling fresh seafood dishes, colorful architecture, and plenty of nightlife options. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy such as surfing or kitesurfing lessons at Ponta Preta Beach or snorkeling in Santa Maria Bay!

Cape Verde: Praia

The capital of Cape Verde is called Praia. Praia is located on the largest island of Cape Verde, on Santiago, in the very south. 132,000 people live in Praia. “Praia” means beach. The neighboring town of Ribeira Grande used to be the capital of Cape Verde. In order to save the port fees there, many ships docked in the nearby village of Santa Maria. From this then Praia developed. It has been the capital of Cape Verde since 1770.