1. By: Mackenzie Wooters

2.  The approximate population for Cape Verde is 516,100.  The main ethnic groups are Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%  Religion; Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

3.  The country’s full name is the Republic of Cape Verde.  They are a republic nation.  They gained their independence from Portugal in July 5, 1975.  Their legal system is based on the legal system of Portugal. Executive Branch  chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES (since 22 March 2001)  head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001)  Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister L

4.  President elected by popular vote for a five-year term  Eligible for a second term  Prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president  Current President is President Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES (since 22 March 2001)

5.  Suffers from a poor natural resource base  Serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought  Poor soil for agriculture on several of the islands  The economy is service oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP  Nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low  82% of food must be imported  Despite the lack of resources, sound economic management has produced steadily improving incomes.  Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.

6.  Cape Verde is a republic  Political Parties and Leaders:  African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV  Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID  Democratic Christian Party or PDC  Democratic Renovation Party or PRD  Movement for Democracy or MPD  Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD  Social Democratic Party or PSD