CAPE VERDE ISLANDS

(16° 30’ N., 24° W.), group of fourteen islands belonging to Portugal, W. of Cape Verde, off W. African coast; area, 1,480 sq. tiles. Largest, Santiago; capital, Praia., Surface is mountainous; generally volcanic, Fogo being composed of single volcano, occasionally active; little water except in ponds and wells; climate hot; rainy season, Aug. to Oct.; vegetation abundant in spite of severe droughts; produce coffee, cinchona, sugar, tobacco, indigo, maize, oranges, grapes, jams, orchil, millet; cattle, pigs, goats, mules. and a es raised; salt, amber, turtles; administered by gov., resident at Praia. Inhabitants are Portuguese, negroes, half-breeds. ©.V. Islands were discovered in 1456 by Portuguese, who established colony here, 1499; granted to Prince Ferdinand, 1562; long used as penal settlement. Pop. 150,000.