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Cape Verde

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Cape Verde

DATE OF FORMATION: 1975

POPULATION: 473,000

DENSITY: 304 people per square mile

LANGUAGES: Portuguese Creole, Portuguese

RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 97%, Other 2%, Protestant (Church of the Nazarene) 1%

ETHNIC MIX: Mestiço 60%, African 30%, Other 10%

GOVERNMENT: Multiparty elections

CURRENCY: Cape Verde escudo

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The Cape Verde archipelago off the west coast of Africa became independent of Portugal in 1975. Most of the islands are mountainous and volcanic; the low-lying islands of Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio have agricultural potential, though they are prone to debilitating droughts. Around 50% of the population live on Santiago. Cape Verde has been one of Africa's most stable democracies since multiparty elections were first held in 1991.