n; overgrazing

Note: strategic location 500 km from African coast near major
north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air
refueling site

- People
Population: 374,984 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)

Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1990)

Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1990)

Infant mortality rate: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 63 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 6.7 children born/woman (1990)

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

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

Religion: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs

Language: Portuguese and Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African
words

Literacy: 48% (1986)

Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.); 57% agriculture
(mostly subsistence), 29% services, 14% industry (1981); 51% of
population of working age (1985)

Organized labor: Trade Unions of Cape Verde Unity Center (UNTC-CS)
closely associated with ruling party

- Government
Long-form name: Republic of Cape Verde

Type: republic

Capital: Praia

Administrative divisions: 12 districts (concelhos, singular--concelho);
Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina,
Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal; there may be 2 new districts named
Porto Novo and Santa Cruz

Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Constitution: 7 September 1980, amended 12 February 1981 and
December 1988

National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy minister,
Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly
(Assembleia Nacional Popular)

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de
Justia)

Leaders:
Chief of State--President Aristides Maria PEREIRA (since 5 July 1975);

Head of Government--Prime Minister Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES, (since
5 July 1975); Deputy Minister Aguinaldo Liboa RAMOS (since NA February
1990)

Political parties and leaders: only party--African Party for
Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Aristides Maria Pereira, secretary
general

Suffrage: universal at age 15

Elections:
President--last held 13 January 1986 (next to be held January
1991);
results--President Aristides Maria Pereira (PAICV) wa