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By Donya Miguel

Introduction: An isolated cluster of twelve islands off the coast of Senegal. they say that Cape Verde were created from the crumbs that fell from gods hands as he wiped them clean at the end of creation. Historically Cape Verde was uninhabited before they were e colonized in the 15th century by the Portuguese they were used for the main trading post for slaves Housing: This can vary in Cape Verde from the Grand Mediterranean-style home of the middle classes Cape-Verdeans; to the timber mud blocks houses of the peasants. At the last estimate, approximately 95% of all houses only had one floor. External walls tanks and cisterns, and the other sources of 2000 only about 76.7 of the population had access to safe

drinking water .At least 54% did not have access to improved sanitation systems and 50% were without electricity. About 15% of families were homeless. Economy: Cape Verde is classified as a small which lacks resources it has experienced several droughts, but has been steadily growing since the 1190’s a country of average development being only the second country to have achieved such a transition, after Botswana in 1994

Photo by F H Mira

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Cape Verde is considered a developing country, and is included on the list of the United Nations Small developing Shopping

You don’t have you usual choice of shops at your fingertips there are mini- markets with a couple of items, you want get the fresh produce you get back home as there is limited refrigeration. There’s no kind of cheese or yoghurts availalable Eggs are small for vegetables you would need to visit a local market and purchase: Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, lemons,

bananas, apples, and mangoes

Aid During the 1990’s, Cape Verde suffered from severe droughts which cut it’s annual harvests by an immense 80%. This disaster lead to International aid and , as of 2006 food production has still not returned to pre-drought levels while the annual costs of Cape Verde’s imports continues far exceeds the value of exports

Island’s Town Population

Santo Antao Ribiera Grande 21,735

Sao Vincente Mindelo 76,107

Santa Luzia Unihabited

Sao Nicolau Ribera Grande 12,864 Sal Santa Maria 8,000 Boa Vista Sal Rei 6,233 Maio Vila do Maio 8,303 Santiago Cida de Velha 124,661

Fogo Sao Filipe 55,000 Brava Vila Nova Sintra 6,043

Photo by Manuel de Sousa

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Cape Verde by Ingo Wölbern

Family: As the home and family come very high on the list of expectations in Cape Verde, families often live together in the same house, as the child rearing is often shared.

The bond of mother and child is very powerful and people are still very superstitious on the Island’s all babies born on the seventh day after their birth they are introduced to the family with a blessing, they all gather in the child’s room and sing songs to protect the child from evil spirits, every family member coddles the child. Mothers like to carry the babies on their backs and this is seen often as they walk down the streets

Schooling is available to children up until the age of fourteen then it is no longer state funded, unfortunately most seem to have to work in the family business missing out on school

Photo by DuncanCV

Dumont d'Urville, Jules-Sébastien-César, 1790-1842

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All in all the Cape Verdeans are a very physical bunch kissing and hugging g, men and women for lengthy times this happens many times through the day.

Conclusion: After reading about Cape Verde there is little distinction between the rich and the poor, as the vast population are poor even though the country is growing it is at a very slow pace. It faces difficulties caused by its harsh landscape and climate and many droughts. As a country they still rely heavily on aid from other countries such as the United States. Even though they face these adversities they spirit does not seem dampened. They are placed in the top fifty poorest infact! The hospitality you would receive from a cape-verdian home if you were so lucky! Would be a lovely meal and lots of drink laid on and plenty of dancing lots of fun seems to be the order of the day.

� Some facts I found out about Cape Verde: � There are ten Islands in total. � It is on the Coast of Africa � My grandfather came from SanVincente a very small Island. � Colonised in the 15th century by the Portuguese

Photo by Jørgen Carling

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My survey: This was as a small questionnaire on how many people had been to Cape Verde.

How many people have been to Cape Verde?How many people have been to Cape Verde?How many people have been to Cape Verde?How many people have been to Cape Verde?

YES

NO

Don't Know

02468101214

YES NO Don't Know

Sources: www.capeverdehomes.org http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com www.sarahmelamed.com Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) & Wikimedia Photo by; By F H MiraF H MiraF H MiraF H Mira - http://www.flickr.com/photos/25894583@N08/3713207813 By DuncanCV - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gossiping.jpg By Jørgen Carling - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_postcard_SaoVicente2.jpg By Manuel de Sousa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mercado_Municipal_(S_Vicente,_Cabo_Verde).JPG By Ingo Wölbern - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilheu_de_Cima_Cape_Verde.jpg