Cape Verde is a collection of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located just off Africa's North West coast and equate to a landmass of just 4,035 sq km. Cape Verde's intriguing volcanic archipelago is comprised of ten main islands and five smaller islets. The islands are divided into two groups - the Barlavento (windward islands) and the Ilhas (Leeward islands). The capital of Cape Verde is Praia which is located on the island of Sao Tiago.

The Portuguese landed on Cape Verde in 1460 and introduced cotton and sugar cane to the islands. They also used Cape Verde as a base for slave ships. Decolonization occurred in 1975, when Cape Verde gained independence from the Portuguese. The people of Cape Verde have retained much of the Portuguese culture as well as a unique African island culture of their own. The inhabitants of Cape Verde are friendly and hospitable. The official language is still Portuguese and the unit of national currency is the Cape Verdean escudo.

The Atlantic waters around the quiet islands of Cape Verde make for excellent diving, whilst the islands themselves make hiking in the hills an exciting experience. Jewels off the coastline of West Africa, the islands of Cape Verde are home to unspoiled landscapes and fine beaches.

Perhaps Cape Verde's biggest problem and danger is drought, as the islanders depend so much on agriculture. Crops include sugar cane, bananas, maize, vegetables and coconuts. The islands lie within a semi-arid tropical belt with a low, unstable annual rainfall. Temperatures average 30°C although are cooler between December and March.