Atlantic Ocean, off coast of West Africa.

GMT - 1.

4,033 sq km (1,557 sq miles).

482,000 (2005).

112.5 per sq km.

Cidade de Praia. Population: 106,757 (2005).

Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) northwest of Senegal and comprises 10 volcanic islands and five islets in two groups: Balavento (Windwards) and Sotavento (Leewards). In the former group are the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista, along with the smaller islands of Branco and Raso; the Sotavento group comprises the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava, along with the smaller islands of Rei and Rombo. Most have mountain peaks; the highest being Pico do Cano, an active volcano, which is on Fogo.

Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

President Pedro Pires since 2001.

Prime Minister José Maria Neves since 2001.

The MPD held onto both Presidency and National Assembly in 1995 but lost both to the PAICV in the 2001 elections. The extremely close presidential race was won by the PAICV's Pedro Rodrigues Pires with a margin of just 17 votes over the MPD's Carlos de Carvalho. The PAICV also won the most recent parliamentary election in 2006. Cape Verde has pursued a determinedly non-aligned foreign policy, reflected in its being chosen as mediator in the settlement of a variety of international disputes, including Angola. More recently, in 1998, it hosted talks to reach a settlement of the conflict in Guinea Bissau. Cape Verde maintains close relations with Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking African countries in the PALOP group (Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé).

A new constitution introduced in 1992 allows for the election of an Assembleia Nacional (National Assembly) with 79 deputies and a president who serves as head of state, both elected by adult suffrage for five-year terms.

The official language is Portuguese. Creole is spoken by most of the inhabitants. Some English, French, German and Spanish are widely spoken.

92.8% of the population are Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority of 1%.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

The usual European social courtesies should be observed.