Cape Verde is an island nation of roughly 500,000 people spread across nine inhabited islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers established one of the first European settlements in the tropics. Over time, Cape Verde developed into a creole, mixed-heritage society, shaped by both West African and Portuguese roots.

Cape Verde remained a Portuguese colony until 1975, when it achieved independence and began building its own democratic institutions and infrastructure. Today, it is recognized as one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

Although Portuguese is the official language used in government and formal communication, most Cape Verdeans speak Cape Verdean Kriolu in daily life, with distinct dialects varying from island to island.

For more than two centuries, Cape Verde has maintained strong ties with the United States and Western Europe. Large Cape Verdean communities—often referred to as the diaspora or inmigrantes—live abroad, particularly in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and across Europe. In fact, the diaspora population is widely understood to be larger than the population living on the islands today.

Cape Verde is known for its warm hospitality known as “Morabeza”, rich cultural heritage, and friendly people all reflecting a deep sense of community and pride. We encourage you to explore more about this remarkable nation—online, and especially by visiting in person.