Cape Verde » Maps and Geography

Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal and has 10 volcanic islands and five islets in two groups: Balavento (Windwards) and Sotavento (Leewards).

In the former group are the islands of Sao Vicente, Santo Antao, Sao Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista, along with the smaller islands of Branco and Raso; the Sotavento group comprises the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava, along with the smaller islands of Rei and Rombo. Most have mountain peaks; the highest being Pico do Cano, an active volcano, which is on Fogo.

The islands are generally rocky and eroded, and have never been able to support more than subsistence agriculture (maize, bananas, sugar cane and coffee are the main crops); low rainfall over the last 10 years has crippled food production and forced the islands to depend on international aid.