View source for Geography of Cape Verde

{{Short description|none}}
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{{Infobox country geography
| name               = Cape Verde
| map                = Satellite_image_of_Cape_Verde_in_December_2002.jpg
| continent          = [[Africa]]
| region             = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|16|N|24|W}}
| area ranking       = 165th
| km area            = 4,033
| percent land       = 100
| km coastline       = 965 
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|800,561|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| borders            = None
| geographic center  =
| highest point      = [[Mount Fogo]] <br> {{convert|2,829|m}}
| lowest point       = [[Atlantic Ocean]] <br> {{convert|0|m}}
| longest river      = 
| largest lake       = 
}}[[Image:Topographic map of Cape Verde-en.svg|thumb|Map of the Cape Verde Islands.]]
[[Cape Verde]] is a group of [[arid]] [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] islands which are home to distinct communities of plants, birds, and reptiles.

== Location and description ==

The Cape Verde Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some {{convert|450|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} off the west coast of the continent of Africa.<ref name=":0">{{citation-attribution|1={{Cite web|date=December 2001|title=Background Note: Cape Verde|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2835.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020404034638/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2835.htm|archive-date=April 4, 2002|publisher=[[U.S. State Department]]}} }}</ref> The landscape varies from dry plains to high active volcanoes with cliffs rising steeply from the ocean. The climate is arid. The total size is {{convert|4,033|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

The [[archipelago]] consists of ten islands and five smaller islands known as islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups.<ref name=":0" />

The six islands in the Barlavento group, which sits in the [[trade winds]], are [[Santo Antão, Cape Verde|Santo Antão]], [[São Vicente, Cape Verde|São Vicente]], [[Santa Luzia, Cape Verde|Santa Luzia]], [[São Nicolau, Cape Verde|São Nicolau]], [[Sal, Cape Verde|Sal]], and [[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]].<ref name=":0" /> The total land mass is {{convert|2239|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="gomes2">[http://hdl.handle.net/11328/594 Valor simbólico do centro histórico da Praia], Lourenço Conceição Gomes, Universidade Portucalense, 2008, p. 58-59</ref>

In the west of the Barlavento group, [[Santo Antão, Cape Verde|Santo Antão]], [[São Vicente, Cape Verde|São Vicente]],{{efn|plus islet [[Ilhéu dos Pássaros]]}} [[São Nicolau, Cape Verde|São Nicolau]], [[Santa Luzia, Cape Verde|Santa Luzia]] and islets [[Ilhéu Branco|Branco]] and [[Ilhéu Raso|Raso]] are [[Volcanic islands|volcanic]] and somewhat rocky yet quite widely capable of supporting semi-arid [[agriculture]].

In the east of the Barlavento group, [[Sal, Cape Verde|Sal]]{{efn|plus islet [[Ilhéu Rabo de Junco]]}} and [[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]]{{efn|plus islets [[Ilhéu de Sal-Rei]] and [[Ilhéu do Baluarte]]}} are lightly hilled, [[desert]] islands whose economies were based on [[salt]] and rely on fishing and [[tourism]], having more in common with the [[Sotavento Islands|Sotavento]] island [[Maio, Cape Verde|Maio]].

There are four main islands of the Sotavento group.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="gomes2"/> The western three islands, [[Brava, Cape Verde|Brava]], [[Fogo, Cape Verde|Fogo]] and [[Santiago, Cape Verde|Santiago]], are rocky and [[Volcano|volcanic]] [[Agriculture|agricultural]] islands, with the longest histories of human habitation. The fourth and easternmost island [[Maio, Cape Verde|Maio]] is a flat [[desert]] island whose economy was primarily based on [[salt]], giving it more in common with the [[Barlavento Islands|Barlavento islands]] [[Sal, Cape Verde|Sal]] and [[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]]. The [[Ilhéus do Rombo]] are barren islets north of Brava. The total area of the Sotavento Islands is {{convert|1803|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="gomes2"/>

Three islands – Sal, Boa Vista, and Maio – generally are level and lack natural water supplies.<ref name=":0" /> Mountains higher than {{convert|1280|m|ft|0}} are found on Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão, and São Nicolau.<ref name=":0" />

Sand carried by strong winds has caused erosion on all islands, especially the windward ones.<ref name=":0" /> Sheer, jagged cliffs rise from the sea on several of the mountainous islands.<ref name=":0" /> The lack of natural vegetation in the uplands and coast<ref name=":0" /> also contributes to soil erosion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is Erosion? Effects of Soil Erosion and Land Degradation|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation|access-date=2021-10-14|website=World Wildlife Fund|language=en}}</ref> The interior valleys support denser natural vegetation.<ref name=":0" />

== List of islands ==
[[File:Cape_Verde-CIA_WFB_Map.png|thumb|355x355px|Map]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable" |Island or islet!! style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable" | Largest Settlement !! style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable" | Other Settlements !! style="background: #CCC;" | Area&nbsp;(km<sup>2</sup>) !! style="background: #CCC;" | Population
|- style="background:#AEE0F2;"
|Barlavento Islands || || || align="right" |2,265.55 || align="right" |179,114
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Santo Antão, Cape Verde|Santo Antão]] ||[[Porto Novo, Cape Verde|Porto Novo]]||[[Ribeira Grande, Cape Verde|Ribeira Grande]], [[Pombas]], [[Ponta do Sol, Cape Verde|Ponta do Sol]]|| align="right" |779.0 || align="right" |46,872
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[São Vicente, Cape Verde|São Vicente]] ||[[Mindelo]]|| || align="right" |227.0 || align="right" |81,267
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Ilhéu dos Pássaros]] ||uninhabited || || align="right" |0.05 || align="right" |0
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Santa Luzia, Cape Verde|Santa Luzia]] ||uninhabited|| || align="right" |34.0 || align="right" |0
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Ilhéu Raso]] ||uninhabited|| || align="right" |7.0 || align="right" |0
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Ilhéu Branco]] ||uninhabited|| || align="right" |3.0|| align="right" |0
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[São Nicolau, Cape Verde|São Nicolau]] ||[[Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde|Ribeira Brava]]||[[Tarrafal de São Nicolau, Cape Verde|Tarrafal de São Nicolau]] || align="right" |379.5 || align="right" |13,680
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Sal, Cape Verde|Sal]] ||[[Espargos]]||[[Santa Maria, Cape Verde|Santa Maria]]|| align="right" |216.0 || align="right" |27,515
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]] ||[[Sal Rei]]||[[Estância de Baixo]]|| align="right" |620.0 || align="right" |9,779

|- style="background:#AEE0F2;"
|Sotavento Islands || || || align="right" |1,806.95 || align="right" |345,886
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Maio, Cape Verde|Maio]] ||[[Vila do Maio]]||[[Calheta, Cape Verde|Calheta]]|| align="right" |269.0 || align="right" |7,420
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Santiago, Cape Verde|Santiago]] ||[[Praia]]||[[Assomada]], [[Tarrafal, Cape Verde|Tarrafal]], [[Calheta de São Miguel]], [[Pedra Badejo]], [[Cidade Velha]]|| align="right" |991.0 || align="right" |292,500
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Fogo, Cape Verde|Fogo]] ||[[São Filipe, Cape Verde|São Filipe]]||[[Mosteiros, Cape Verde|Mosteiros]], [[Cova Figueira]]|| align="right" |475.6 || align="right" |39,567
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Brava, Cape Verde|Brava]] ||[[Nova Sintra]]||[[Furna (Brava)|Furna]]|| align="right" |66.6|| align="right" |6,399
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|[[Ilhéus Secos]] ||uninhabited|| || align="right" |4.75|| align="right" |0
|-
|}

== Data ==

; Geographic coordinates:
: {{coord|16|N|24|W}}

; Area:
:* Total: 4,072 km<sup>2</sup>
:* Land: 4,072 km<sup>2</sup>
:* Water: 0 km<sup>2</sup> (inland water is negligible) {{disputed inline|date=January 2014}}
; Area – comparative:About 1.5 times as large as Luxembourg
; Coastline:{{Convert|965|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1">{{citation-attribution|1={{Citation|title=Cabo Verde|date=September 22, 2021|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cabo-verde/|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=September 29, 2021}}. }}</ref>
; Maritime claims:
:* Measured from claimed archipelagic baselines<ref name=":1" />
:* Territorial sea: {{convert|12|nmi|km|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1" />
:* Contiguous zone: {{convert|24|nmi|km|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}<ref name=":1" />
:* Exclusive economic zone: {{convert|200|nmi|km|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1" />
; [[Exclusive economic zone]]
:* EEZ area: {{convert|800,561|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref name=":2">''[https://web.archive.org/web/20061229231026/http://seaaroundus.org/eez/eez.aspx Sea Around Us Project's Countries' EEZ].''</ref>
:* Continental shelf: 5,591 km<sup>2<ref name=":2" /></sup>
:* Coral reefs: 0.09% of world<ref name=":2" />
:* Sea mounts: 0.04% of world<ref name=":2" /> 
; Terrain:Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic.<ref name=":1" />
; Elevation extremes:
[[Image:Mount fogo.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Fogo]], the highest point in Cabo Verde]]
:* Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m<ref name=":1" />
:* Highest point: [[Mount Fogo]] {{Convert|2829|m|abbr=on}} (a volcano on Fogo Island)<ref name=":1" />
Natural resources:[[Salt]], [[basalt]] rock, [[limestone]], [[kaolin]], [[fish]], [[clay]], [[gypsum]]<ref name=":1" />
; Land use<ref name=":1" />
:* '''agricultural land:''' 18.6% (2018 est.)
:**arable land: 11.7% (2018 est.)
:**permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)
:**permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)
:*'''forest:''' 21% (2018 est.)
:*'''other:''' 60.4% (2018 est.)
; Irrigated land:{{Convert|35|km2|abbr=on}} (2012)<ref name=":1" />
; Total renewable water resources:0.3&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2017)<ref name=":1" />
; Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural){{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
:* total: 0.02 km<sup>3</sup>/yr (6%/1%/93%)
:* per capita: 48.57 m<sup>3</sup>/yr (2004)
; Natural hazards:
: Prolonged [[drought]]s; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active.<ref name=":1" />
; Geography - 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.<ref name=":1" />

==Borders==
[[Image:EEZ Cape Verde.png|thumb|Map of Cape Verde's EEZ.]]

Cabo Verde shares [[maritime boundary|maritime boundaries]] with [[Mauritania]] and [[Senegal]]. Cabo Verde has signed [[Treaty|treaties]] with [[Cape Verde – Senegal Maritime Delimitation Treaty|Senegal]] and [[Cape Verde – Mauritania Maritime Delimitation Treaty|Mauritania]] [[National boundary delimitation|delimiting]] the specific boundaries. However, the two treaties conflict in their delimitation of the precise borders. Due to the numerous islands it has an [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|800,561|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

== Climate ==
{{See also|Cape Verde#Geography and climate}}
<div style="float:left">
{{climate chart
|[[Sal Island]]
|17|23|3
|15|22|2
|18|24|0
|20|25|0
|21|26|0
|22|27|0
|24|28|8
|24|29|97
|25|30|115
|23|28|31
|21|26|8
|19|24|4
|float=left
|source=BBC Weather<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT004750 |title=BBC |publisher=BBC |access-date=2010-06-26}}</ref>
}}
</div>

Rainfall is irregular, historically causing periodic droughts and famines.<ref name=":0" /> Desalination plants now provide water to more than half the country's population.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=Deutsche Welle | title=What do you do when your island runs out of water? | date=2017-05-26 | url=http://www.dw.com/en/what-do-you-do-when-your-island-runs-out-of-water/av-39002045 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher=Deutsche Welle | title=Cape Verde: Desalination against aridity | date=2017-06-21 | url=http://www.dw.com/en/cape-verde-desalination-against-aridity/av-39350560 }}</ref> Experiments with [[fog collector]]s have been conducted since 1962,<ref>Sabino, António A. (2007), Fog Water Collection Projects in Cape Verde: Potentialities and Constraints. Case Study of the Natural Park of Serra Malagueta. 4th International Conference on Fog, Fog Collection and Dew</ref> however, such collectors had not been expanded beyond the Serra Malagueta community of Santiago Island, as of 2009.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=IRIN News | title=Can fog solve water shortages? | date=2009-01-09 | url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/82294/cape-verde-can-fog-solve-water-shortages }}</ref> The average precipitation per year in [[Praia]] is {{convert|240|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0" />

During the winter, storms blowing from the [[Sahara]] sometimes cloud the sky; however, sunny days are the norm year round.<ref name=":0" /> The clearest skies are found between February and June, with very little rainfall during these months. Saharan dust, Harmattan wind, laden with dust come from the Sahara. This occurs between November and March and is generally similar to the "Calima" affecting the Canary Islands.

The ocean near Cabo Verde is an area of [[tropical cyclone]] formation; since these storms have the whole Atlantic over which to develop as they move westward, they are among the most intense hurricanes, and are called [[Cape Verde-type hurricane]]s.

The Cape Verde islands are a very degradated area. Also, most islands do not always get a monsoon. In fact, it is not surprising that some atmospheric precipitation of islands are limited  in tropical rain.

If rain arrives, it is usually between August and October. The first "rainy season" brings high temperatures and high humidity that condenses as dew mountain. The other rainy season is between December and June, when the northeast trade winds are common during this season, only altitudes above 600 m tend to receive regular rain.
The island of Sal receives an average of 0&nbsp;mm in May. When the rain comes, if it comes, it can be very strong. Half of the rain in a particular year can often fall into a single storm.
Most of the Cape Verde islands are dry, but on islands with high mountains and farther away from the continental land mass, by orography, the humidity is much higher, giving a rainforest habitat, very degraded by the strong human presence.
Northeastern slopes of high mountains often receive a lot of rain and southwestern slopes do not. This is because they are umbria areas, situated in the north hillsides or slopes of the mountainous areas, oriented behind the Sun in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], in the shadyside [[Orography|orographic]]. So the amount of [[solar radiation]] that it receive is much lower than it would if it had without the island's relief  which intercepts much of the sunlight. In terms of botanical ecology, these umbria areas are identified as being cool and moist.

The current north of the Canaries, has a cooling effect on the islands of Cabo Verde, making the air temperature more bearable than it would expect in any case at this latitude. Conversely, the islands do not receive the upwellings (cold streams) that affect the West African coast, so the air temperature is cooler than in Senegal, but the sea is actually warmer, because the orographic relief of some islands, such as Sao Miguel with steep mountains, cover it with rich woods and luxuriant vegetation where the humid air condenses and soak the plants, rocks, soil, logs, and moss.

Hurricanes often begin forming in the waters around the islands of Cabo Verde, but it is rare that the strength of the storm reaches close to the islands. A Cape Verde type hurricane is formed in the area south of the islands, near Sao Miguel, after a tropical wave on the African continent during the rainy season. The storm picks up strength when it crosses the warm waters of Atlantic.
[[File:La récolte de l'eau.jpg|thumb|Fog on Cape Verde]]
The [[laurel forest]] is a type of cloud forest, the [[cloud forest]]s, are developed preferably about [[mountain]]s, where the dense [[moisture]] from the sea or ocean, is precipitated by the action of the relief. Opposing the terrain to a front of warm, moist air mass, it forces to increase the height above sea level of that body wet and warm air mass, which cools and decreases the [[dew point]], causing it to condense part of the moisture that falls as rain or fog, creating a habitat especially cool, saturated with moisture in the air and soil.

It is the balance between the dry and warm influence of the subtropical anticyclone, hot and dry summer and [[orography]] the responsible for carrying cool wet air.
As latitude increases, this increases the impact of the storms, which in its journey from west to east, swept the western coasts of continents, dumping heavy rains as carrying high humidity.
Precipitation multiply if these air masses are crossing mountains in the way. The resulting climate is wetter, but with an annual oscillation of the temperature moderated by the proximity of the ocean.
Appear mostly occupying favorable areas named geographically [[Umbria]]s, this is north hillsides or slopes of the mountainous areas that are oriented behind the sun, because the islands are in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], between 600 and 1,500 meters, thus benefiting from the humidity provided by the [[trade winds]] to form such a sea of clouds. In its botanical ecology, the mountain umbria is identified with cool and moisture.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Praia ([[Nelson Mandela International Airport]]) 1981–2010
| collapsed = yes
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 31.9
| Feb record high C = 33.1
| Mar record high C = 34.2
| Apr record high C = 33.4
| May record high C = 33.3
| Jun record high C = 34.1
| Jul record high C = 32.5
| Aug record high C = 33.1
| Sep record high C = 36.2
| Oct record high C = 34.8
| Nov record high C = 33.0
| Dec record high C = 31.0
| year record high C = 36.2
| Jan high C = 26.5
| Feb high C = 27.0
| Mar high C = 28.1
| Apr high C = 28.2
| May high C = 28.9
| Jun high C = 29.6
| Jul high C = 29.6
| Aug high C = 30.4
| Sep high C = 30.9
| Oct high C = 31.0
| Nov high C = 29.7
| Dec high C = 27.7
| year high C = 29.0
| Jan mean C = 22.9
| Feb mean C = 22.9
| Mar mean C = 23.6
| Apr mean C = 23.9
| May mean C = 24.7
| Jun mean C = 25.5
| Jul mean C = 26.1
| Aug mean C = 27.1
| Sep mean C = 27.4
| Oct mean C = 27.2
| Nov mean C = 26.1
| Dec mean C = 24.1
| year mean C = 25.1
| Jan low C = 19.3
| Feb low C = 19.2
| Mar low C = 19.5
| Apr low C = 19.9
| May low C = 20.7
| Jun low C = 21.6
| Jul low C = 22.7
| Aug low C = 23.9
| Sep low C = 24.2
| Oct low C = 23.6
| Nov low C = 22.5
| Dec low C = 20.8
| year low C = 21.5
| Jan record low C = 16.9
| Feb record low C = 16.2
| Mar record low C = 16.5
| Apr record low C = 17.0
| May record low C = 18.8
| Jun record low C = 19.2
| Jul record low C = 20.3
| Aug record low C = 20.6
| Sep record low C = 19.6
| Oct record low C = 19.6
| Nov record low C = 19.5
| Dec record low C = 17.3
| year record low C = 16.2
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 3.1
| Feb precipitation mm = 0.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 0.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 0.0
| May precipitation mm = 0.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 0.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 8.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 60.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 60.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 31.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 2.7
| Dec precipitation mm = 5.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 1
| Feb precipitation days = 0
| Mar precipitation days = 0
| Apr precipitation days = 0
| May precipitation days = 0
| Jun precipitation days = 0
| Jul precipitation days = 2
| Aug precipitation days = 7
| Sep precipitation days = 7
| Oct precipitation days = 4
| Nov precipitation days = 2
| Dec precipitation days = 1
| year precipitation days = 24
| Jan humidity = 65.7
| Feb humidity = 63.3
| Mar humidity = 62.6
| Apr humidity = 64.5
| May humidity = 65.2
| Jun humidity = 68.5
| Jul humidity = 73.3
| Aug humidity = 76.0
| Sep humidity = 76.8
| Oct humidity = 72.9
| Nov humidity = 69.8
| Dec humidity = 70.1
| year humidity = 69.1
| Jan sun = 223.2
| Feb sun = 234.5
| Mar sun = 279.0
| Apr sun = 285.0
| May sun = 306.9
| Jun sun = 279.0
| Jul sun = 217.0
| Aug sun = 201.5
| Sep sun = 216.0
| Oct sun = 244.9
| Nov sun = 234.0
| Dec sun = 204.6
| year sun = 
| Jand sun = 7.2
| Febd sun = 8.3
| Mard sun = 9.0
| Aprd sun = 9.5
| Mayd sun = 9.9
| Jund sun = 9.3
| Juld sun = 7.0
| Augd sun = 6.5
| Sepd sun = 7.2
| Octd sun = 7.9
| Novd sun = 7.8
| Decd sun = 6.6
| yeard sun = 8.0
| source 1 = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica<ref name = INMGpraia>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229191802/https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| archive-date = 29 December 2020
| url = https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| title = Normais Climatológicas
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica
| language = pt
| access-date = 28 December 2020}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes, precipitation days, and sun)<ref name = DWDpraia>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_085890_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Praia / Sao Tiago / Kapverden (Rep. Kap Verde)
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 6 November 2018}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| location = Sal, Cape Verde ([[Amílcar Cabral International Airport]]) 1981–2010, extremes 1950–1990
| collapsed = yes
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 32
| Feb record high C = 30
| Mar record high C = 33
| Apr record high C = 33
| May record high C = 33
| Jun record high C = 34
| Jul record high C = 33
| Aug record high C = 33
| Sep record high C = 38
| Oct record high C = 34
| Nov record high C = 33
| Dec record high C = 30
| year record high C = 38
| Jan high C = 24.8
| Feb high C = 25.0
| Mar high C = 25.3
| Apr high C = 25.6
| May high C = 26.1
| Jun high C = 27.0
| Jul high C = 27.9
| Aug high C = 29.5
| Sep high C = 30.1
| Oct high C = 29.5
| Nov high C = 28.1
| Dec high C = 26.1
| year high C = 27.1
| Jan mean C = 21.5
| Feb mean C = 21.2
| Mar mean C = 21.5
| Apr mean C = 22.0
| May mean C = 22.6
| Jun mean C = 23.6
| Jul mean C = 24.8
| Aug mean C = 26.2
| Sep mean C = 26.8
| Oct mean C = 26.1
| Nov mean C = 24.6
| Dec mean C = 22.8
| year mean C = 23.6
| Jan low C = 18.9
| Feb low C = 18.5
| Mar low C = 18.7
| Apr low C = 19.3
| May low C = 20.2
| Jun low C = 21.3
| Jul low C = 22.5
| Aug low C = 23.8
| Sep low C = 24.4
| Oct low C = 23.6
| Nov low C = 22.0
| Dec low C = 20.3
| year low C = 21.1
| Jan record low C = 12
| Feb record low C = 10
| Mar record low C = 12
| Apr record low C = 15
| May record low C = 15
| Jun record low C = 15
| Jul record low C = 17
| Aug record low C = 20
| Sep record low C = 20
| Oct record low C = 19
| Nov record low C = 17
| Dec record low C = 16
| year record low C = 10
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 6.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 2.3
| Mar precipitation mm = 1.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 0.7
| May precipitation mm = 0.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 0.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 1.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 13.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 28.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 11.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 2.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 3.4
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 1
| Feb precipitation days = 1
| Mar precipitation days = 0
| Apr precipitation days = 0
| May precipitation days = 0
| Jun precipitation days = 0
| Jul precipitation days = 0
| Aug precipitation days = 2
| Sep precipitation days = 3
| Oct precipitation days = 1
| Nov precipitation days = 1
| Dec precipitation days = 0
| year precipitation days = 10
| Jan humidity = 69.0
| Feb humidity = 70.9
| Mar humidity = 70.9
| Apr humidity = 70.6
| May humidity = 73.3
| Jun humidity = 75.4
| Jul humidity = 75.5
| Aug humidity = 75.9
| Sep humidity = 77.1
| Oct humidity = 74.7
| Nov humidity = 72.9
| Dec humidity = 71.1
| year humidity = 73.1
| Jan sun = 182.9
| Feb sun = 175.2
| Mar sun = 201.5
| Apr sun = 216.0
| May sun = 204.6
| Jun sun = 174.0
| Jul sun = 148.8
| Aug sun = 161.2
| Sep sun = 180.0
| Oct sun = 198.4
| Nov sun = 189.0
| Dec sun = 155.0
| year sun = 
| Jand sun = 5.9
| Febd sun = 6.2
| Mard sun = 6.5
| Aprd sun = 7.2
| Mayd sun = 6.6
| Jund sun = 5.8
| Juld sun = 4.8
| Augd sun = 5.2
| Sepd sun = 6.0
| Octd sun = 6.4
| Novd sun = 6.3
| Decd sun = 5.0
| yeard sun = 6.0
| source 1 = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica<ref name="INMGpraia">
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229191802/https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| archive-date = 29 December 2020
| url = https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| title = Normais Climatológicas
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica
| language = pt
| access-date = 28 December 2020}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes, precipitation days, and sun)<ref name = salDWD>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_085940_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Santa Maria / Sal (Int.Flugh.) / Kapverden (Rep. Kap Verde)
| work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 6 November 2018}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| collapsed = Yes
| location = Mindelo (1981–2010)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 29.2
| Feb record high C = 29.5
| Mar record high C = 30.3
| Apr record high C = 29.5
| May record high C = 31.5
| Jun record high C = 30.5
| Jul record high C = 33.6
| Aug record high C = 31.8
| Sep record high C = 32.7
| Oct record high C = 31.5
| Nov record high C = 31.0
| Dec record high C = 30.0
| year record high C = 33.6
| Jan high C = 23.4
| Feb high C = 23.2
| Mar high C = 23.9
| Apr high C = 24.0
| May high C = 24.9
| Jun high C = 25.4
| Jul high C = 27.1
| Aug high C = 28.3
| Sep high C = 28.8
| Oct high C = 28.0
| Nov high C = 26.8
| Dec high C = 25.2
| year high C = 25.7
| Jan mean C = 21.9
| Feb mean C = 21.6
| Mar mean C = 22.0
| Apr mean C = 22.2
| May mean C = 22.8
| Jun mean C = 23.8
| Jul mean C = 25.0
| Aug mean C = 26.2
| Sep mean C = 26.5
| Oct mean C = 26.0
| Nov mean C = 25.0
| Dec mean C = 23.3
| year mean C = 23.9
| Jan low C = 19.9
| Feb low C = 19.7
| Mar low C = 19.6
| Apr low C = 20.2
| May low C = 20.9
| Jun low C = 21.9
| Jul low C = 22.9
| Aug low C = 24.1
| Sep low C = 24.8
| Oct low C = 24.2
| Nov low C = 23.2
| Dec low C = 21.7
| year low C = 21.9
| Jan record low C = 16.5
| Feb record low C = 13.5
| Mar record low C = 15.6
| Apr record low C = 15.0
| May record low C = 15.0
| Jun record low C = 18.0
| Jul record low C = 17.5
| Aug record low C = 14.5
| Sep record low C = 19.0
| Oct record low C = 18.5
| Nov record low C = 19.0
| Dec record low C = 17.0
| year record low C = 13.5
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 4.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 1.7
| Mar precipitation mm = 0.4
| Apr precipitation mm = 0.4
| May precipitation mm = 0.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 0.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 2.6
| Aug precipitation mm = 16.3
| Sep precipitation mm = 36.2
| Oct precipitation mm = 14.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 6.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 1.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 1
| Feb precipitation days = 1
| Mar precipitation days = 0
| Apr precipitation days = 0
| May precipitation days = 0
| Jun precipitation days = 0
| Jul precipitation days = 1
| Aug precipitation days = 4
| Sep precipitation days = 5
| Oct precipitation days = 2
| Nov precipitation days = 2
| Dec precipitation days = 2
| year precipitation days = 18
| Jan humidity = 66.1
| Feb humidity = 67.6
| Mar humidity = 67.2
| Apr humidity = 68.2
| May humidity = 70.1
| Jun humidity = 72.9
| Jul humidity = 72.7
| Aug humidity = 74.0
| Sep humidity = 74.2
| Oct humidity = 72.8
| Nov humidity = 69.4
| Dec humidity = 67.3
| year humidity = 70.2
| Jan sun = 229.4
| Feb sun = 237.3
| Mar sun = 275.9
| Apr sun = 291.0
| May sun = 306.9
| Jun sun = 276.0
| Jul sun = 248.0
| Aug sun = 226.3
| Sep sun = 225.0
| Oct sun = 238.7
| Nov sun = 225.0
| Dec sun = 201.5
| year sun = 
| Jand sun = 7.4
| Febd sun = 8.4
| Mard sun = 8.9
| Aprd sun = 9.7
| Mayd sun = 9.9
| Jund sun = 9.2
| Juld sun = 8.0
| Augd sun = 7.3
| Sepd sun = 7.5
| Octd sun = 7.7
| Novd sun = 7.5
| Decd sun = 6.5
| yeard sun = 8.2
| source 1 = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica<ref name="INMGpraia">
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229191802/https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| archive-date = 29 December 2020
| url = https://www.inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servicos/servicos-climaticos
| title = Normais Climatológicas
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica
| language = pt
| access-date = 28 December 2020}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes, precipitation days, and sun)<ref name = minDWD>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_085830_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Mindelo / Sao Vicente / Kapverden (Rep. Kap Verde)
| work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 8 August 2017}}</ref>
}}

== Forests ==
[[Image:Ribeira Torre-Sto Antao Island-Cape Verde.jpg|thumb|Ribeira Torre on Santo Antão Island, Cape Verde.]]
In Cabo Verde [[forest cover]] is around 11% of the total land area, equivalent to 45,720 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 15,380 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 13,680 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 32,040 hectares (ha). For the year 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Cabo Verde |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/CPV/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref> The islands constitute the unique [[Cape Verde Islands dry forests]] [[ecoregion]], according to the [[World Wildlife Fund]].

== Flora ==
{{main|Flora of Cape Verde}}
Cape Verde is the driest archipelago of the ecoregion of [[Macaronesia]]. That with a greater influence of African species due to its geographical location near the African mainland of the Sahel.
At first, the islands of Cabo Verde housed an extensive savanna and [[dry forest]] [[forest cover|cover]], but mostly it was removed to convert to agricultural land, which, together with the arid climate and rugged terrain, has led to a soil erosion and [[desertification]] widespread. However, the archipelago can be divided into four broad ecological zones (arid, semiarid, subhumid and humid), according to altitude and average annual rainfall ranging from 200&nbsp;mm in the arid areas of the coast to  more than 1000&nbsp;mm in the humid mountain. Mostly rainfall precipitation is due to condensation of the ocean mist. Today much of the forest cover comprises relatively immature agroforestry plantations, in which are used non-native species such as Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena leucocephala and Jatropha curcas. The native [[laurel forest]] species are in wet area only in mountainous areas.

On the lower and drier islands the vegetation, before human colonization, consisted of savanna or steppe vegetation, with the flattest inland portion supporting semi-desert plants. At higher altitudes, a form of arid shrubland was also present. These islands were covered with savanna on the plains and arid shrubland on the mountainsides, but after over 500 years of human habitation (after Portuguese colonisation) nearly all the original vegetation has been cleared in favour of widespread agriculture including the grazing of goats, sheep and cattle and the planting of imported crop species. There are some remaining patches of dry forest high on steep mountainside including a number of endemic plant species, but these are inaccessible and hard to study.

On the higher islands and somewhat wetter islands, exclusively in mountainous areas, like Santo Antao island, the climate is suitable for the development of dry monsoon forest, and laurel forest as this vegetation is believed to have been present in the past. However, most vegetation has now been converted to agriculture and forest fragments are now restricted to areas where cultivation is not possible, such as mountain peaks and steep slopes. The demand for wood has resulted in deforestation and [[desertification]].

Of particular note is the [[Endemic (ecology)|endemic]] type of [[humid subtropical]] [[laurel forest]] of macaronesian laurisilva, found on several of the Macaronesian African mainland enclaves and [[Macaronesia]]n islands of the [[North Atlantic]], namely [[Madeira Islands]], the [[Azores]], Cape Verde Islands, and the [[Canary Islands]]; these are a relic of the [[Pliocene]] [[subtropical]] [[forest]]s, supporting numerous endemic species.

This [[laurisilva]] forests are found in the islands of [[Macaronesia]] in the eastern Atlantic, in particular the Azores, Madeira Islands, and western Canary Islands, from 400&nbsp;m to 1,200&nbsp;m elevation. Trees of the genera ''[[Apollonias]]'' ([[Lauraceae]]), ''[[Ocotea]]'' (Lauraceae), ''[[Persea]]'' (Lauraceae), ''[[Clethra]]'' (Clethraceae), ''[[Dracaena (plant)|Dracaena]]'' ([[Ruscaceae]]), and ''[[Picconia]]'' ([[Oleaceae]]) are characteristic.<ref>[http://www.madeirabirds.com/madeira_laurel_forest Madeira Laurel Forest], Madeira Wind Birds 2005</ref> The Madeira Islands laurel forest was designated a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1999.

== Fauna ==

There are four endemic bird species including the [[Raso lark]] along with more common [[Swift (bird)|swifts]], [[larks]], [[warblers]], and [[Old World sparrow|sparrows]]. The islands are an important breeding site for seabirds including the [[Cape Verde shearwater]] and [[Fea's petrel]] (''Pterodroma feae''), which breeds only here and in [[Madeira]]. Santiago Island holds the only breeding site of the endemic and critically endangered [[Bourne's heron]]. The 11 endemic reptile species include a giant gecko (''[[Tarentola]] gigas''), and there are other [[gecko]]s and [[skink]]s in abundance. The giant skink (''[[Macroscincus coctei]]'') is now thought to be extinct.

== Threats and protection ==
[[Image:Fogo, Cape Verde Islands.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Fogo.]]

Almost all of the natural environment has been destroyed by conversion to agriculture and logging for firewood, as well as natural [[soil erosion]], all of which has threatened several species of birds and reptiles. The remaining original forest exists at high altitudes only. Newer problems include illegal beach sand extraction and [[overfishing]] while the nesting birds are vulnerable due to introduced mammals, including cats and rats.

; Environment - international agreements
:* Party to: [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, [[Desertification]], Endangered Species, [[Environmental Modification Convention|Environmental Modification]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Marine Dumping]], [[Nuclear Test Ban]], Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands<ref name=":1" />

== Extreme points ==
* Northernmost point - [[Ponta do Sol, Cape Verde|Ponta do Sol]] on [[Santo Antão, Cape Verde|Santao Antão]] Island
* Southernmost point - [[Ponta Nho Martinho]] on [[Brava, Cape Verde|Brava]]
* Westernmost point - [[Ponta Chao de Mongrade]] on [[Santo Antão, Cape Verde|Santao Antão]]*
* Easternmost point - [[Ponta Meringuel]] on [[Boa Vista, Cape Verde|Boa Vista]]
* *T''his is also the westernmost point of Africa''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* {{NatGeo ecoregion|id=at0201|name=Cape Verde Islands dry forests}}
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Cape Verde Islands dry forests|id=at0201}}

{{Geography of Africa}}{{Islands of Cape Verde}}{{Africa topic|Climate of}}
{{Cape Verde topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Cape Verde}}
[[Category:Geography of Cape Verde| ]]