World Factbook
Cape Verde
Republica de Cabo Verde
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top band of blue is half the height of the flag; under it are three narrow bands of white, red, and white, and a bottom stripe of blue; a circle of 10 five-pointed yellow stars is centered on the red stripe and sits toward the left side of the flag meaning: blue stands for the sea and sky; the stripes symbolize the country's formation through peace (white) and effort (red); the stars represent the 10 major islands
Capital
name
Praia
etymology
the earlier Portuguese name was Villa de Praia ("Village of the Beach"); it was shortened to Praia in 1974
time difference
UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
14 55 N, 23 31 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992
amendment process
proposals require support of at least four fifths of the active National Assembly membership; amendment drafts require sponsorship of at least one third of the active Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; constitutional sections, including those on national independence, form of government, political pluralism, suffrage, and human rights and liberties, cannot be amended
Country name
etymology
the name derives from the Cape Verde (Green Cape) peninsula on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands
local long form
Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form
Cabo Verde
conventional long form
Republic of Cabo Verde
conventional short form
Cabo Verde
Independence
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal system
civil law system of Portugal
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 7 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and administrative sections)
subordinate courts
appeals courts, first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts
judge selection and term of office
judge appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Superior Judicial Council (SJC), a 16-member independent body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general, 8 private citizens, 2 judges, 2 prosecutors, the senior legal inspector of the Attorney General's office, and a representative of the Ministry of Justice; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court of Justice and in consultation with the SJC; judges appointed for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 9 November 2021)
election results
2020: Jose Maria Pereira NEVES elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (PAICV) 51.7%, Carlos VEIGA (MPD) 42.4%, Casimiro DE PINA (independent) 1.8%, Fernando Rocha DELGADO (independent) 1.4%, Helio SANCHES (independent) 1.14%, Gilson ALVES (independent) 0.8%, Joaquim MONTEIRO (independent) 3.4% 2016: Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74.1%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 22.5%, other 3.4%
head of government
Prime Minister Jose Ulisses CORREIA e SILVA (since 22 April 2016)
most recent election date
17 October 2021
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
National color(s)
blue, white, red, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Cidade Velha; Historic Center of Ribeira Grande
Political parties
African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID Democratic Christian Party or PDC Democratic Renewal Party or PRD Movement for Democracy or MPD Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS Social Democratic Party or PSD
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
72 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/18/2021
expected date of next election
April 2026
percentage of women in chamber
44.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Movement for Democracy (MpD) (38); African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV) (30); Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID) (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)
history
adopted 1996
lyrics/music
Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
National symbol(s)
ten five-pointed yellow stars
National coat of arms
adopted in 1992, the coat of arms features the national symbol of ten stars that represent the country’s islands; the stylized torch and triangle at the center of the circle symbolize freedom and national unity, and the three blue lines represent the ocean and sky; the name of the country is written in Portuguese, the official language; the plumbob at the top of the circle -- used in construction to make accurate vertical lines -- represents justice, righteousness, and truth; the chain links symbolize a commitment to the people and their well-being
Administrative divisions
22 municipalities ( concelhos , singular - concelho ); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, São Domingos, São Filipe, São Lourenco dos Orgaos, São Miguel, São Salvador do Mundo, São Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de São Nicolau
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 965-1207
chancery
3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 965-6820
chief of mission
Ambassador Jose Luis do Livramento MONTEIRO ALVES DE BRITO (since 23 December 2020)
consulate(s) general
Boston
email address and website
embassy.wdc@mnec.gov.cv https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[238] 261-1355
embassy
Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia
telephone
[238] 260-8900
mailing address
2460 Praia Place, Washington DC 20521-2460
chief of mission
Ambassador Jennifer ADAMS (since 10 September 2024)
email address and website
PraiaConsular@state.gov https://cv.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction