Cabo verde terra de luta e saudade: Cape Verde is an island group or archipelago of ten islands and five islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa.The islands are divided into two groups: Barlavento in the north (Sao Vincente), composed of Santo Antão (291 sq. mi.; 754 sq. km), Boa Vista (240 sq. mi.; 622 sq. km), São Nicolau (132 sq. mi.; 342 sq. km), São Vicente (88 sq. mi.; 246 sq. km), Sal (83 sq. mi.; 298 sq. km), and Santa Luzia (13 sq. mi.; 34 sq. km); and Sotavento in the south (Santiago), consisting of São Tiago (383 sq. mi.; 992 sq. km), Fogo (184 sq. mi.; 477 sq. km), Maio (103 sq. mi.; 267 sq. km), and Brava (25 sq. mi.; 65 sq. km). The islands are mostly mountainous, with the land deeply scarred by erosion. There is an active volcano on Fogo. The islands are of volcanic origin and except for the Boa Vista (the nearest island of Africa), Maio and Sal are mountainous with rugged cliffs and steep ravines. The coastal plains are semidesert with fine sandy beaches while the mountains are covered by thin forests. Major Cities (pop. est.); Praia 61,700, Mindelo 47,100, Sao Filipe 5,600.Around 71% of the population are Creoles of mixed Black African and Portuguese descent while the remainder are almost all Black Africans with a small number of Whites.Mostly Christians with the Creoles and the majority of the Black Africans of the Roman Catholic faith which accounts for around 98% of the population.Cape Verde has a tropical climate with two seasons. A cool dry season from December to June and a warm season between July and November. Rainfall is low and unreliable with most of it occurring during August and September. The islands suffer from severe shortages of water and rainfall which cause catastrophic and prolonged droughts periodically. Tropical heat and high humidity prevail throughout the year and the conditions are uncomfortable except when fanned by the northeast sea breezes. Average temperature ranges in Praia are from 19 to 25 degrees in February or March to 24 to 29 degrees Celsius in October.Cape Verde became a Portuguese overseas province in June 1951 and its people assumed a greater role in the government. During the mid 1950's the African Party for the independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) fought to overthrow the Portuguese rule in both Cape Verde and Portuguese Guinea (Guinea-Bissau). Following the April 1974 coup in Portugal a transitional government administered the islands until independence was granted on July 5, 1975. Additionally, Portuguese Guinea gained independence in 1974 and during the later part of the 1970's the two nations held discussions about uniting under one government. However, relations were soured by the Nov. 1980 coup in Guinea-Bissau and disagreements between the two countries ended the discussions. In June 1982 reconciliation talks were held and in 1988 the two countries signed a cooperation agreement. In Jan. 1986 Pres. Aristides Pereira was reelected. In Jan. 1988 social tensions increased when laws decriminalizing abortion were passed. In March 1990 the ruling party announced that the constitution would be amended allowing for multiparty elections. In Sept. 1990 the constitutional amendments allowing multi-partyism were passed. On Jan. 13, 1991 the country's first national multiparty election resulted in the defeat of the ruling African Party for the independence of Cape Verde (PAIC) by the Movement for Democracy (MPD) led by Carlos Veiga. 1991 Pres. Pereira was defeated in presidential elections by Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro who was sworn in as President on Mar. 22, 1991.in the last elections of 25 February 2001 was elected President: Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires of PAICV Party against Carlos Roverto de Carvalho Veiga (MPD)Prime minister: José Maria Neves of PAICV party. 
The president is elected for a five year term by the people. The government is formed by the PAICV and National Assembly has 72 members. 

Presidents
   8 Jul 1975 - 22 Mar 1991  Aristides Pereira                         PAICV
22 Mar 1991 - 22 Mar 2001  Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro      MPD
22 Mar 2001 -              Pedro Pires                                     PAICV

Ruling Council
30 Dec 1974 -  5 Jul 1975  Carlos Reis
                                    Amaro da Luz
                                    Manuel Faustino
Prime ministers
 8 Jul 1975   -  4   Apr 1991  Pedro Pires                    PAICV
 4 Apr 1991  -  29 Jul 2000  Carlos Veiga                    MPD
29 Jul 2000  -  1   Feb 2001  Gualberto do Rosário        MPD
                         (acting for Veiga to 5 Oct 2000) 
 1 Feb 2001 -              José Maria Pereira Neves         PAICV

The economy continues to struggle with the effects of drought and reliance on agriculture and fishing. Good growth comes off a very low base, and the economy is in desperate need of a boost from multilateral agencies in order to make a substantial difference to the population. Privatisation and service industries could help.