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Cape Verde Geography 1999
Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W Map references: World
Area:
Areacomparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes:
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use:
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active Environmentcurrent issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
Environmentinternational agreements:
Geographynote: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
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