Geography of Cape Verde Islands
Location
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic Coordinates
16 00 N, 24 00 W
Geographical Area
Land
4,033 Sq Km.
Water
Unknown
Land Boundary
Unknown
Border Countries
Length of Coastline
965 Km.
Terrain
Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point
Mt. Fogo 2,839 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
Natural Resources
Salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum
Land Use
Arable Land
11%
Permanent Crops
1%
Other
88%
Irrigated Land
30 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active
Environmental Issues
Soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing
