POPULATION:	400,000
LITERACY RATE:	70%
SELF DEFENSE FORCES:	US Armed Forces,
LANGUAGES:	Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words
ETHNIC GROUPS:	Portugese, Mulatto, African, American,
BORDERING COUNTRIES:	none

CAPE VERDE- A string of Islands along the archipelago, Cape Verde has a rich and often dark history.  Originally uninhabited, it was settled   by the Portugese who brought slaves over from Africa to work the plantations.  It was one of the last countries in Africa to win its independence in 1975, and its fledgling governmetn was in turmoil for decades trying to establish itself.  In 2007 massive volcano eruption detroyed its capital city of Priai, throwing the population into turmoil.  A US carrier fleet was the first to arrive in the area, and quickly acted to give aid.  The military personell stayed, providing protection and security until a the governement could be re-established.  When it was over the US was invited to stay.

Cape Verde is now primary naval base in the Atlantic, giving the US a secure base of Naval operations as well as providing an R&R place for many of the troops stationed in Africa.  Cape Verde is a popular vacation spot for most of the west, and is seen as sort of a poor mans Hawaii.  International colleges their are popular, as well as corporate retreats.  But don't try sneaking on a military base if you are a civilian, the penalties are sever.