Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; warm, dry, summer; precipitation very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 85%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as
the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion;
demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several
indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure
visibility; volcanically and seismically active
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification
Note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
@Cape Verde:People