CAPE VERDE ISLANDS (Ilhas Verdes). A group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Africa, belonging to Portugal, situated between latitudes 14° 45' and 17° 19' N., and between longitudes 22° 45' and 25° 25' \V. (Map: Africa, 11 3). The ten principal islands are Santiago (Sao Thiago), the largest and most important, Fogo, Brava, Maio, Boavista. Sao Nicolao, Santo Antiio, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, and Sal. In cluding the four uninhabited islets, the total area of the group is estimated at 14S0 square miles. The islands are all very mountainous, and owe their origin to the action of submarine volcanoes. The only active volcano is situated on the island of Fogo and has an altitude of over 9000 feet. The climate is hot and unhealth ful, and the droughts which occasionally visit the islands are frequently followed by famines.
Sugar, coffee, tobacco, and indigo are cultivated, and sonic southern fruits are successfully grown. The plant Ja ropha rum, s is also considerably cultivated. Several of the European domestic animals thrive well. Turtles abound in the surrounding seas, and whales are hunted by British and American vessels. Amber is found
on the coasts, and great quantities of salt formed by solar eNaporation are obtained from the la goons on the shores, especially on the island of Sal. The eommerce of the colony amounted, in 1900, to over $3.450,000, of which nearly $3,000,000 represented imports. The exports con sist of raw products, hides, salt, coffee, while the imports include all kinds of manufactured articles. The chief ports are Porto Praya, the capital, on the island of Santiago, and Porto Grande, mullet) has the best harbor in the whole group, on the island of San Vieente. The group is administered by a governor. The population was 147,424 in 1900, including only 3856 whites, the remainder consisting of 24,039 colored and 11S,929 negroes. The islands were discovered in 1441 by the Genoese seafarers Antonio and Bar tolommei di Nolli, and were annexed to Portugal in 1456. Consult: Ellis, West African Islands (London, 1SS5) ; Fea, Dclle Isolc del rapo Verde (Rome, 1599) ; Lima, "Rapport stir les Iles du Cap Vert," in Rccucil consulaire, Vol. CX. (Brus sels, 1900).