Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.
March 16th 2008Africa » Cape Verde My apologies for not posting pictures yesterday. The one internet café in Saint Vincent had only one computer with internet & the wireless cost $10 an hour. I just couldn’t justify spending that ... [full story]
March 12th 2008Africa » Cape Verde The last two days have been great. March 10 was a free day and it was also wedding day. I had cultural show rehearsal in the morning and spent the afternoon reading and beautifying myself for the wedd ... [full story]
March 11th 2008Africa » Cape Verde March 10, 2008
15:30
I remember writing last let that I thought it was my busiest leg & I would have more time to blog in the future. I was wrong.
Our first day back my computer charger complet ... [full story]
March 10th 2008Africa » Cape Verde I remember writing last let that I thought it was my busiest leg & I would have more time to blog in the future. I was wrong.
Our first day back my computer charger completely died. I asked IT if t ... [full story]
February 22nd 2008Africa » Cape Verde » Sal
Having been here for about two and a half weeks, one would think that we would be sufferig cabin fever - yet surprisingly we are not. Although that may have more to do with the fact that given the ... [full story]
December 8th 2007Africa » Cape Verde » São Vicente Life at sea. So filled with contrasts that you every minute is torn between the most extreme feelings and emotions there are. A day when the sun smiles down on you and the wind is favourable you feel ... [full story]