History & Facts

Less than 20 years ago, the archipelago belonged to the poorest countries in the world. Dryness and drought, hunger and hardship drove many desolate people to immigrate to any number of other countries. More than 700'000 of the total 1.1 million counted population of the Cape Verde Islands was lost to immigration.

The former colonial master, Portugal, released the small island country to independence in 1975, however, social problems only became worse. Over the course of many years, the Cape Verde Islands politically drifted towards the Eastern Bloc, which staggered the socio-economic situation in the long term.

Help from the World Bank and the massive support offered by the EU over decades guaranteed the survival of the small island state, which is still dependent upon the good will of the international community.

Since the mid 90ies, the country has been developing more and more into a popular vacation destination. Foreign investors have discovered the "new Canaries" – as the Cape Verde Islands are often referred to – and already realized large hotel projects on Sal and Boavista.

The country is experiencing a "small economical wonder" as the result of the tourism and improved transportation conditions. This trend is still limited to only a few of the islands, but new and modern hotel infrastructures are already being built on Santiago and Santo Antão. They create new jobs and a complimentary economical branch.