Independent state in West Africa unemployment. West Africa: List of countries in West Africa. Souvenirs and gifts

Details Category: West African Countries Published on 03/17/2015 10:48 AM Hits: 1994

The name "Liberia" means "Land of Freedom". After all, Liberia was founded as an independent state by free-born and released American blacks.

The official name of the state is Republic of Liberia... It borders on Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d "Ivoire. In the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

State symbols

Flag - is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 10:19. The flag of this country resembles the flag of the United States: it consists of 11 stripes (6 red and 5 white) and a blue field with a white star. Eleven stripes represent eleven signatures on the declaration of independence. Red symbolizes courage, and white symbolizes moral principles. The white star symbolizes the liberation of the slaves, and the blue square represents the African continent. The flag was approved on July 16, 1847.
The flag of Liberia is the most common flag of the world merchant marine (about 1600 ships from other countries fly this flag). This fact is explained by the low cost of duties for the use of the flag in comparison with other countries.

Coat of arms - is a shield showing a 19th century ship arriving in Liberia. The ship symbolizes the ships that brought freed slaves from the United States to Liberia. Above the shield is an unfolded scroll with the national motto of Liberia: "The love of freedom brought us here." Under the shield is a scroll with the indication in English of the official name of the country: "Republic of Liberia".
The plow and shovel are symbols of the dignity of work and hard work through which the nation will prosper. The rising sun in the background symbolizes the birth of a nation. The palm tree is the most versatile food source for Liberians. The white dove with a scroll symbolizes the breath of the world.

State structure

Form of government - presidential republic.
Head of State and Government - President, who is elected through direct general elections (by secret ballot) for a 6-year term. There is a vice president post.

Acting President since 2006 Helen Johnson Sirleaf... She is the first female president of an African country. Graduated from Harvard University.
Capital and largest city - Monrovia.
Official language - English, which is spoken by about 20% of the population. The rest speak aboriginal languages, mostly without writing.
Territory - 111 369 km².
Administrative division - 15 counties (counties), which are divided into 53 counties (districts).
Population - 4,294,000 people Ethnic composition: Aboriginal Negroes 95%, Negroes from the United States 2.5%, Negroes from the Caribbean 2.5%. The urban population is 60%.

Religion - Christians 85%, Muslims 12%, aboriginal cults 1.5%, Bahais, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists.
Currency - Liberian dollar.
Economy - the country is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 80% of the population lives below the poverty line.
One of the largest income items is the duties for the use of the Liberian flag by merchant ships of other states.

Sugarcane grinding
Large mineral resources: large reserves of iron ore, there are placers of gold, diamonds, rare earth elements. Agricultural, forestry, and hydropower resources are also quite good. But the main export goods of Liberia are still raw timber and rubber, iron ore. Export: coffee, cocoa, diamonds, timber, iron ore. Import: fuel, chemicals, machinery, transport equipment, food. Transport: automobile, railway, water, air.
Education - 9-year primary education is officially compulsory, which children receive at the age of 7-16. Primary and secondary school education is free (except for an annual registration fee of 10,000 Liberian dollars). During the civil war, many schools were destroyed. There is one university in the country - the University of Liberia (opened in Monrovia in 1951 on the basis of the Liberian College). The university is under state control, teaching in English.
Sport - football is popular. The country has participated in the 11 Summer Olympics since 1956. It did not participate in the Winter Olympics. Liberian athletes have never won an Olympic medal.
Military establishment - ground forces, navy, air force. Internal security is provided by the police.

Nature

The coastline of Liberia is partially indented by lagoons, mangrove swamps, estuaries (river mouth widening towards the sea). The country has a fairly extensive network of rivers. The largest rivers are: Mano, Saint Paul, Loffa, Saint John, Sess and Cavalli. Only the downstream Saint Paul River is navigable.
Forests cover 18% of the territory. These are mainly gwea palms, valuable tropical species. Liberia has significant reserves of valuable wood species.

Savannahs are home to acacias, baobabs and other types of trees. Mangrove forests grow on the coast.
The coast has fine sandy beaches, but many of them are in disrepair.

Sapo National Park created in 1983. This is an island of pristine nature with an area of \u200b\u200b1800 km², occupied by tropical rainforests. Animals of the park: pygmy hippos and antelopes, forest elephants, a large forest pig, pangolins. In total, more than 100 species of mammals and about 600 species of birds live here.

Pygmy hippo
There are over 140 mammal species in Liberia. The forests are home to many different insects (from termites to tsetse flies), birds, amphibians and reptiles. Wild animals survived mainly in the east and northwest of Liberia: elephants, leopards, antelopes, bristle-eared pigs, African (black) buffalo.

Bristle pig
Climate tropical: high temperature and high humidity.

Culture

The most common type of folk dwelling is the hut, set on a frame made of poles. The walls are made of stakes fastened with lianas or bamboo knots; the outside is plastered with white clay. Walls and sometimes doors are covered with carvings or colored geometric painting. The conical roof is made of raffia palm leaves or grass. Often a spire is installed on the roof, decorated with a faience plate.

In modern cities, of course, modern houses are being erected - of brick, reinforced concrete and glass.
Wooden masks are used in rituals, especially in the secret societies of Poro, Bundu and Sandé.

Mende masks are narrow faces framed by a high hairstyle, the head is carved along with the neck, which is decorated with several rings. Among the Loma people, masks are called "landa" - these are images of long, flat faces with a convex forehead and small horns.

Professional visual arts began to develop after the Second World War. One of the most famous painters and sculptors of Liberia - Laron Brown.
Crafts and arts and crafts are developed: wood carving, ivory carving, pottery, metalworking, weaving baskets and bags made of straw and plant fibers.
Contemporary literature is developing in English and local languages.

Professional musicians and singers appeared in the middle of the 20th century. Popular musician Otto Braun, the ensemble of traditional music "Loffa-30". Popular music in the styles of hi-life, al-jad has spread.

Liberia landmarks

Monrovia

Capital of Liberia. Located in an artificial bay at the mouth of the St. Paul River. Population 1 010 970 people.
Tourists in Monrovia may be interested in the National Museum of Liberia, the Monrovia Masonic Palace, the coastal market and several beaches, Antoinette Tubman Stadium for 10,000 people, the Samuel Doe Canyon Sports Complex with 40,000 seats and is one of the largest in Africa.

Masonic Palace

Samuel Doe Canyon Sports Complex

National Multipurpose Complex, built in 1986. Was destroyed during the First and Second Civil Wars in 1980-2003. Reconstructed in 2007
It is mainly used for football matches, has an athletics track.
The stadium is covered with grass. Plasma video screens show the progress of the competition.

Lake Piso

Salt lake with an area of \u200b\u200babout 100 km², one of the largest in Liberia.
There are several islands on it; the lake is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by narrow channels. In 1999 the lake was declared a protected area; work is underway to study and preserve the unique flora and fauna of the region.
In the past, the lake was a fairly large resort, which fell into disrepair during the First and Second Civil Wars. Lake Piso attracts lovers of fishing, water sports and ethno tourism.

Centenary Pavilion

A symbol of Liberian statehood, significant ceremonies and holidays are held here. It was built in 1947 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Liberia.
In the pavilion of the Centenary, inaugurations and farewells to deceased statesmen are held.

History

Archaeological research shows that the territory of Liberia has been inhabited since about the 12th century.
From the middle of the XV century. and until the end of the 17th century. on the territory of modern Liberia, Portuguese, Dutch and British merchants had trading posts. The Portuguese called this region Costa da Pimenta (Pepper Coast) because of the abundance of melegeta pepper grains.
In 1822, the Americans founded a colony of "free people of color" on the coast of modern Liberia. It operated under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. By agreement with the leaders of local tribes, the settlers acquired territories of more than 13 thousand km² for goods worth 50 US dollars.
In 1824 this colony was named Liberia, and its constitution was adopted. By 1828, settlers captured the entire coast of modern Liberia, as well as parts of the coast of modern Sierra Leone and Cote d "Ivoire.
The independence of the Republic of Liberia was proclaimed on July 26, 1847. The settlers perceived the African continent, from where their ancestors were taken into slavery, as “the promised land”. But they behaved in a peculiar way: when they arrived in Africa, they called themselves Americans. So they were perceived by the residents of neighboring Sierra Leone. The symbols of their state (flag, motto and seal), the chosen form of government reflected the American past of the American-Liberians.
Mutual mistrust and enmity between coastal Americans and indigenous people from the hinterland gave rise to continuing attempts throughout the country's history (rather successful) of the American-Liberian minority to dominate local blacks, whom they considered barbarians and people of the lower class.
The Liberian authorities faced three serious problems: territorial conflicts with neighboring colonial powers (Britain and France), hostilities between settlers and local residents, and the threat of financial insolvency.

XX century

At the outbreak of World War I, Liberia declared its neutrality. She hoped to maintain trade relations with Germany, which accounted for more than half of Liberia's foreign trade turnover. But the Entente countries imposed a blockade of sea trade routes, which deprived Liberia of its most important trading partner.
At the outbreak of World War II, Liberia again declared neutrality, but its territory was used to transport American troops to North Africa. In 1944, Liberia officially declared war on Germany.
After World War II, Liberia, thanks to US loans, became a major exporter of rubber and iron ore.

The 1980 Samuel Doe coup

On April 12, 1980, a coup d'etat took place in Liberia. President of the Republic William Tolbert was killed, his associates were executed, the power in the country was seized by Sergeant Samuel Doe, the representative of the Crane tribe, who assumed the rank of general.
Samuel Canyon Doe, President of Liberia from 1980 to 1990

At first, the change of power was perceived positively by citizens, but then the ongoing economic downturn led to a decline in its popularity and a series of unsuccessful military coups. Doe was killed by Field Commander Prince Johnson, and brutally killed, which was recorded on video.
And after all this, Johnson received the post of senator in the government of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2007, and in 2011 he even ran for the presidency of the country.

Civil wars 1989-2003

The large-scale conflict involved several ethnic factions. At the first stage of the war, Charles Taylor's group was supported by neighboring states that were involved in the conflict: Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire. The military operations were carried out with great cruelty, torture was used. The war entailed the transfer of more than half a million refugees to neighboring The result was the signing of a peace agreement and the election of the President of the Republic in 1997, won by Charles Taylor.

Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor's opponents organized an insurrectionary war and invaded Liberia from neighboring countries several times. In 2002, with the active help and support of Guinean President Lansana Conte, a large opposition movement LURD was created, which managed to depose Taylor and expel him from the country.
In 2003, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Charles Taylor on charges of crimes against humanity and violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Nigeria agreed to hand him over to Liberia, but Taylor disappeared from the sea villa Calabar (Nigeria), where he was being held in exile. He was soon caught and turned over to the Hague Tribunal, which in 2012 found Charles Taylor guilty on 11 counts, including crimes against humanity, violations of the Geneva Convention and other international laws. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
23 November 2005 Former Minister of Finance of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the presidential elections in the country.

An area equal to thirty-two thousand square kilometers constituted the papal area. And it was just over one and a half hundred years ago, in the middle of the nineteenth century. But 1870 was marked by an event that changed everything: Rome becomes the main city of Italy. And the papal region becomes part of the Vatican as a state appears only when the Pope and the Italian government managed to agree, namely, in 1929. It was then that independence was recognized, and the smallest country gained its own rule.

On any today you can find followers of the Roman Catholic Church, the center of which is the Vatican. The smallest country in the world is ruled by the Holy See, whose sovereign is the Pope. He is elected for life by the College of Cardinals, which consists of two hundred and five representatives, but only 115 of them have the right to vote in the conclave. and the legislative power is held by the Pope, and this smallest country is governed by a governor, who, however, is also appointed by the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Today the Vatican covers an area of \u200b\u200b0.44 square kilometers and borders on all sides only with one state - Italy. Mainly citizens of the Holy See live on the territory of the city-state, and the total population is just over eight hundred people. But, despite this, economically the smallest country feels pretty well. Catholics all over the world send donations here, and this is the main source of state revenue. A fairly large "piece" of the revenue side is accounted for by tourists. Most of the visitors do not spare money to buy gifts and souvenirs for relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

But the heart of the Catholic world is, first of all, priceless treasures that people from all over the world come to see. There is no person who has not heard of the Vatican library. Manuscripts dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, books of which there are more than one and a half million, manuscripts, coins and medals, geographical maps and engravings are the golden fund of the library. The Sistine Chapel is known not only as a place of secret meetings of the Pope, there are paintings made by the hand of the great Michelangelo. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest and most significant building of the Vatican, which for five hundred years has been inextricably linked with the names of such great masters as Raphael and Michelangelo, Bramante and Giacomo della Porta.

The smallest country in Europe and the world has its own railway line, the length of which is only seven hundred meters, but it is part of the Italian railway. And the presence of a helipad, which is connected with two airports in Rome, is also surprising. The Vatican, of course, also has its own post office, police and station, its own Foreign Ministry and army, numbering one hundred people. Newspapers are published here, stamps are printed, coins are minted. The presence of its own telephone network and radio broadcasting station, and most importantly, such attributes of state power as the flag and coat of arms, testifies to the fact that the smallest country is completely independent, that it does not depend on Italy, although its entire territory is located inside the Italian capital. Diplomatic relations are associated with most countries.

The Vatican is located in a magnificent location close to the Tiber that runs through Rome. The picturesque Mons Vaticanus hill gets its name from an ancient oracle. And the appearance of magnificent gardens on this site is also associated with the name of Caligula.

This is a list of the 15 smallest countries in the world. Countries that can be compared in size to a small town. You can walk almost every one of these countries from edge to edge in less than a day.

The smallest state on earth. The Vatican is located on the territory of the Eternal City of Rome, on the hill of Monte Vaticano and has the length of the state border, only 3.2 km. In a few hours you can easily walk around the whole country. According to official figures, the population of the Vatican is just over 800 people. Another 3,000 people are not citizens of the country, but they come here to work every day.

The Vatican is one of the largest open-air museums. Here is a real treasury of works of art and architectural monuments, relics of Christianity and unique creations of great masters are kept. A huge number of believers and tourists visit the territory of the Vatican every day.

The second place in the list of micro states is occupied by the Principality of Monaco. Its territory is 1.95 sq. km. The length of the state border with France is 4.4 km. The population density in Monaco, in contrast to the Vatican, is very high - the country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Locals are mainly engaged in serving tourists who are attracted here by the magnificent beaches and a huge number of gaming establishments.

The Republic of Nauru is a dwarf state on the coral island of the same name in the western part of the Pacific Ocean with an area of \u200b\u200b21.3 km² and a population of 12 thousand people. Nauru is the smallest independent republic on Earth, the smallest island state, the smallest state outside Europe and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

Tuvalu is a dwarf Pacific state in Polynesia. The length of the coastal strip is 21 km. The state is located on 5 atolls and 4 islands of the Tuvalu archipelago. The total land area is 26 km². The population of the country is 14 thousand people. The islands gained independence in 1978 (before that the archipelago was a British colony).

The name of the country, translated from the Tuvalu language, it means "eight standing together" (meaning the eight traditionally inhabited islands of Tuvalu. The main problem of the islands is the rise in the world ocean level, which threatens flooding of many of the islands, most of which are located no higher than 5 meters above sea level The country lives off the help of other countries, because it does not have its own natural resources.

5. San Marino

European state, surrounded on all sides by the territory of Italy. The name comes from the name of the Christian saint who founded the state. The country claims to be the oldest state in Europe. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 60.57 km². Almost 80% of the country's territory is occupied by mountains and rock massifs. Population - 33 thousand people. San Marino is one of the few modern countries with positive economic performance. State revenues exceed expenditures and the country has no external debt.

Another dwarf European state. The area of \u200b\u200bthe country is 160 km². The country's name comes from the ruling Liechtenstein dynasty. The principality is located in the spurs of the Alps, the highest point is Mount Graushpitz (2599 m). One of the largest rivers in Western Europe, the Rhine, flows through the western part of the country. The population of the country is 38 thousand people.

Despite its size, Liechtenstein is a thriving industrial country with a developed banking system. In addition, the Principality of Liechtenstein is included in the black list of "tax havens" - states where residents of other countries evade taxation.

The Marshall Islands is a Pacific state in Micronesia. The state is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago. The length of the coastal strip is 370.4 km. The total land area is 181.3 km² and 11 673 km² are occupied by lagoons. The population of the Marshall Islands is 65 thousand people.

The maximum height above sea level is 10 meters. In the event of a significant rise in the level of the World Ocean or global climate change, serious environmental consequences are inevitable on individual islands.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands does not have a permanent military force. According to the signed agreement, the United States is responsible for the country's security and defense. They have a duty to protect the Republic of the Marshall Islands and its citizens from outside attacks and threats.

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a state in the Eastern Caribbean, consisting of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis. Both islands are of volcanic origin and mountainous. The area of \u200b\u200bthe country is 261 km². Population - 53 thousand people. The total length of the coastline is 135 km.

The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, but the Spaniards did not colonize them. For a long time Great Britain and France fought for the possession of the islands. In 1983, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis gained independence.

The islands have rich tropical vegetation. The mountainous areas are covered with dense tropical forests and orchards. Vines, mangoes, bread and cinnamon trees, tamarind, avocados, bananas, papaya grow here. On the tops of the mountains, forests give way to meadows, with no less abundant vegetation. Numerous tropical birds and butterflies live in the forests, monkeys are found. Many seabirds nest on the coast, including pelicans. The waters abound in fish.

The Republic of Maldives or simply the Maldives is a state in South Asia, located on a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south of India. The state is a chain of 20 atolls, consisting of 1192 coral islets. The population is about 330 thousand people. The total area is 90 thousand km², the land area is 298 km². The capital Male - the only city and port of the archipelago - is located on the atoll of the same name and is the smallest capital in the world. However, Male is home to a third of the country's total population.

The economy is based on tourist services. Hot, but comfortable weather all year round (air temperature from 24 to 30 °) made the Maldives a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. Fishing is in second place.

The Republic of Malta is an island state in the Mediterranean Sea. The country consists of three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino and many small and uninhabited islands. The territory of the state is 316 km². The population of Malta is 420 thousand people. The country bears the title of the least populated state in the European Union.

The main sector of the Malta economy is tourism. Most of the cultural and historical attractions are associated with the Knights of the Order of the John (Order of Malta). Malta's wide variety of urban and natural landscapes is a popular filming location for feature films. Malta is the only country in Europe without rivers, lakes and its own sources of fresh water.

Grenada is an island state in the southeast of the Caribbean, occupying the island of Grenada and the southern part of the Grenadines. Total area - 344 sq. km. Population - 110 thousand people.

The island of Grenada is of volcanic origin. In the center of the island lies a wooded mountain range, over which rises Mount St. Catherine (840 m), the highest point in the country. There are few rivers on the island, but there are many streams and springs. Grenada's economy is based on tourism as well as offshore financial business.

The song "Grenada" written by M. Svetlov in 1926, as it turned out, has nothing to do with the state of Grenada.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent state in the Caribbean. The territory consists of the island of Saint Vincent and 32 small islets of the Grenadines. The area is 389 km². Population - 105 thousand people.

The active volcano Soufriere is located on the island of Saint Vincent. In our era alone, it has erupted at least 160 times. The last eruption was in 1979. The island's beaches are covered with black volcanic sand; the exception is the white sandy beaches on the southern tip of the island.

Barbados is a small state in the West Indies, located on the island of the same name, resembling a pear in shape. The island is 431 km² and is mostly flat with small hills in the middle. Population - 290 thousand people. Barbados is one of the leading developing countries in terms of living standards and literacy of the population.

The economy is based on tourism. Many historical sites are associated with the rise of piracy in the Caribbean. Also Barbados is famous for the production of the famous pirate rum. Approximately every 3 years the island finds itself in a hurricane zone and suffers greatly from the elements.

Antigua and Barbuda is a state in the West Indies, located on three islands - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. The total area is 442 km². Population 90 thousand people.

The main source of income is tourism. Antigua and Barbuda is ready to receive tourists 365 days a year. The coastline of Antigua forms many bays (in fact, these are relic volcanic craters) and an extended strip of first-class beaches (it is believed that there are exactly 365 of them on the islands). There are both beaches with developed infrastructure and completely wild, secluded corners.

The Republic of Seychelles is an island state in East Africa. Located in the western Indian Ocean, just south of the equator. The republic includes 115 islands, only 33 of them are inhabited. The islands cover an area of \u200b\u200b455 square kilometers. The population of the country is about 90 thousand people.

The main source of income for the Seychelles has long been the export of cinnamon, coconut and vanilla. Since 1976, when Great Britain granted independence to the Seychelles, tourism (up to 75% of foreign exchange earnings) has become the main source of income.

The fruit of the Seychelles palm, which grows only in the Seychelles, weighs 20 kg and is considered the largest fruit in the plant kingdom.

African countries

Africa... Welcome to the african countries... Get acquainted with the list of countries that are part of African... Their detailed descriptions, geographic location, capitals, flags, currencies and more. Here you can find out what the climate is in these countries, a list of attractions that should be visited. You will find out what customs control rules should be followed when entering the country. Get to know the peculiarities of the rules of local behavior and find out what dangers should be feared in a particular country.

4. Anthem

listen to national National Anthem of Cape Verde:

5. Currency

National currency of Cape Verde — escudo Cape Verde ( Cabo verde escudo) , letter CVE ... One escudo is formally equal to 100 centavo however coins denominated in centavos are not currently being issued and those previously issued are not legal tender. July 1, 1977 escudos Cape Verde replaced cape Verde colonial escudo, which remained the national currency since the country gained independence on July 5, 1975, the exchange was carried out in a 1: 1 ratio. Currently in circulation are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 escudo, as well as banknotes in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 escudo... All inscriptions on coins and banknotes (except for the names of species) are in Portuguese.

Use the currency converter below to convert easily and quickly escudos Cape Verde in rubles, dollars, euros or any other currency of the world at the current exchange rate.

cape Verde coins

cape Verde banknotes

6. Cape Verde on the world map

Republic of Cape Verde - a state located on the Cape Verde Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, about 600 km off the west coast of Africa. The Cape Verde Islands are a cluster of 10 large and 8 small islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, divided into the Leeward and Windward groups. The Windward group includes the islands: Santo Antan, San Vicente, San Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal, Boavista. The Leeward group includes the islands: Santiago, Brava, Fogu, Mayu. Small islands: Branco, Grande, Dos Passaros, Luis Carneiro, Razu, Santa Maria, Zapado, Sima. The total area of \u200b\u200bCape Verde is 4033 km2.

The relief is mountainous with a large number of extinct and active volcanoes. Rocky shores are difficult to access. There are very few natural harbors, the largest of which is Mindelo. Highest point of the country Republic - acting fogu volcano (2840 m).

The vegetation of the islands is extremely sparse; For centuries, massive deforestation has affected the depletion of water resources: the river network is on the verge of extinction, short river beds dry up, filling with water only during the rainy season. The islands are seismically active, and earthquakes are frequent.

7. What to see in Cape Verde

Attractions Cape Verde - this is stunning nature, numerous architectural monuments and museums, high-class resort complexes and a unique underwater world. attractions Cape Verde:

guido do Cavaleiro peak (Santo Antan Island)
volcano Topu de Corot (Santo Antan Island)
pico da Cruz mountain range (Santu Antan Island)
mount Monte-Grande (Sal Island)
wild beaches of Baia das gatas (São Vicente island)
Mindela (MINDELO) - port city
Fishing village Salinas (Fogu Island)
Santa Maria market (Sal Island)
CIDADE VELHA (Santiago Island) is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde
Salt development Pedra de Lume (Sal Island)

8. Largest cities

Ten largest cities Cape Verde:

Praia (Praia) — capital and the largest city of the island state Cape Verde, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Senegal, on the island of Santiago. The population of the capital is 151,435 people.
Mindelo (Mindelo) - the second largest city Cape Verdelocated in the northwest of the island of São Vicente in the Bay of Porto Grande, a natural harbor formed in the crater of an underwater volcano Population of Mindelo 70 610 people.
Eshpargush (Espargos) is the main city of the municipality of the island of Sal, located in the central part of the island. Population of the city of Eshpargush - 17,080 people.
Asomada (Assomada) - a city on the island of Sotavento Santiago. Since 1912 it has been the seat of the municipality of Santa Catarina, which includes the central western part and most of the interior of the island. It is the largest city in the region. Population of Asomad 12,020 people.
Pedra Badejo (Pedra Badejo) - a small town, occupying the 5th place in terms of population in its country (9 490 people).
Porto Novo (Porto Novo) - a city on the island of Santo Antau in Cape Verde, with a population of 9 430 people
Sao Philip (Saint Philip) Is a city on the west coast of Fogo Island. It is the capital of the island and seat of the municipality of São Filipe with a population of 8,190.
Tarrafal (Tarrafal) - a village on the northern coast of Santiago Island, 70 km from the capital of the state, Praia, at the foot of Mount Graciosa6. Population settlement Tarrafal 6 650 people.
Santa maria (Santa Maria) Is a fishing and tourist town in the south of the island of Sal, with a population of 6,260.
Sal Rey (Sal Rei) - a city on the northwestern coast of Boa Vista in the eastern part Cape Verde. Sal Rey is the main urban settlement of the island and the seat of the municipality of Boa Vista, with a population of 5,400.

9. Climate

Climate in Cape Verde tropical sufficiently hot and dry. It is coolest in January - February, at this time the average air temperature is + 21 ° C ... + 23 ° C, but in the mountains it can be significantly lower. But in August, the archipelago is blown by the southern and south-western winds, which bring rain. The air becomes clean and cool, although it is drier in the mountains than on the coast. Daytime air temperature can rise to +36 ° C, and at night drop to + 18 ° C ... + 20 ° C.

Average annual precipitation is 100-300 mm, and their maximum falls on the period from August to October. On the flat islands, precipitation is rare, but in the mountains there are heavy showers, and can reach 500 mm per day. These downpours destroy the fertile topsoil.

From the sahara, from October to June dry and hot winds blow for several hours a day "Harmattan"bringing with it the heat and the smallest Saharan dust. It hangs in the air for a long time, forming a "dusty fog". The best time for travel to Cape Verde the period from August to October is considered when warm pleasant weather guarantees a comfortable stay.

10. Population

Population of Cape Verde 549 195 people (data as of January 2020). About 70% of the country's inhabitants - creoles (descendants from mixed marriages of Portuguese and Spanish settlers with Africans), 28% are Africans and 1% are Europeans. Each of the 9 inhabited islands can be compared to a miniature racial melting pot with its own cultural characteristics and local dialects, which have arisen as a result of the mixing of Portuguese and various African languages. Thanks to the government's efforts to fight illiteracy, by the mid-1990s, 72% of the population could read and write. Average female life expectancy population of Cape Verde is 73 - 75 years old, and male - 67 - 69 years old.

11. Language

Official languages \u200b\u200bin Cape Verde are portuguese and creole ... Besides portuguese, many dialects are used from a mixture of Portuguese and African languages, of which the most common are creole Criulu (a mixture of Old Portuguese and African Swahili) and kabuverdyanu ... Immigrants from West Africa widely spread the French language on the islands.

12. Religion

Cape Verde is one of the most catholic countries Africa. Christianity, which has spread here since the middle of the 17th century, is professed by approximately 93% of the population of the islands. Of these, 90% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 3% are Protestants (mainly parishioners of the Church of Nazareth). 7% of residents Cape Verde adhere to traditional African beliefs, are members of religious sects or practice Islam.

13. Holidays

National and public holidays in Cape Verde in 2020:

January 1 - New Year
13 January - Democracy Day
January 20 - Day of Heroes
May 1 - Labor Day
May 10 - Mother's Day
June 1 - Children's Day
June 21 - Father's Day
July 5 - Independence Day
15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 12 - National Day
1 November - All Saints Day
December 25 - Christmas

14. Souvenirs and gifts

Small scroll souvenirs and gifts Cape Verde:

african masks
african textiles
clay figurines
bovine horn and coconut products
turtle shell products
carnival costumes
ceramic products painted in accordance with national traditions
carpet runners
a piece of a volcano in the form of an ordinary lava stone on a substrate
wicker baskets
coral and pearl jewelry
animal figurines made of wood

Cape Verde customs regulations do not restrict the transit of foreign currency, and when entering / leaving, filling out a declaration on the import / export of foreign currency is not required. The import and export of local money is prohibited.

Allowed:

Duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of wine, up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages, 250 ml of perfumery or 50 grams of perfume is allowed. Permitted duty-free import and export of fresh fruits and vegetables weighing up to 5 kg, as well as other products and things in the amount intended for personal consumption.

Forbidden:

Prohibited to import weapons, psychotropic and toxic substances, drugs and drugs containing opiates (an exception for those who have a prescription and a doctor's prescription). To the territory Cape Verde it is prohibited to transport plants without additional control procedures and phytosanitary certificates.

16.

Voltage in the electrical network Cape Verde: 220 volt, at a frequency of 50 hertz... Socket type: Type C, Type F.

Dear reader! about Cape Verde, WRITE! "Around the planet step by step"

Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) or full official name Republic of Zimbabwe (Republic of Zimbabwe) - a state located in the southern part of the African continent. Until 1980, the country was a colony and bore the name Southern Rhodesia , and even earlier on these lands there was an empire Monomotapa , whose capital was called Zimbabwe. The history of these lands is very interesting and eventful, with a constant struggle against intruders from Portugal, British rule and racial discrimination. However, it was during the era of colonization that the country's economy was on the rise: agriculture, processing and mining industries were actively developing, and today it is among the poorest countries on the planet. Zimbabwe attracts tourists with its natural beauty, national parks, caves with cave paintings of ancient people and of course the famous Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe - "stone houses"

1. Capital

Capital of Zimbabwe - the most modern and liveliest city in the country Harare (Harare) , located in the northeastern part of the republic, at an altitude of about 1500 m.The city was founded in 1890 by British settlers and until 1982 bore the name Salisbury (Salisbury) ... Since 1898 the city was under protectorate, and in 1923 Salisbury declared the administrative center of the self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia, in which the power belonged to the white population. Today Harare is the largest city Zimbabwe, its cultural and industrial center, with wide branched avenues, green parks, glass skyscrapers, perfectly combined with old buildings in the Dutch style. The main attractions of the capital are unique reserves of exotic African nature, the National Archives and the National Gallery Zimbabwecontaining paintings by European artists and artworks made by local craftsmen. Not far from Harare is one of the wonders of nature - victoria Falls.

2. Flag

Zimbabwe flag is a rectangular panel with seven equal horizontal stripes, with an aspect ratio of 2: 1. The stripes are located on flag in the following order: green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, green. On the left side of the canvas there is a white equilateral triangle, inside which, against the background of a five-pointed red star, a golden " bird of Zimbabwe " .

Symbolism:

green color symbolizes agriculture in Zimbabwe
yellow - a symbol of wealth in minerals
red color - blood shed during the war of independence.
black color - ethnicity of indigenous African peoples of Zimbabwe
white color - a symbol of peace
bird - historical heritage of Zimbabwe

The stylized image of the bird refers to the valuable archaeological rarities found on the territory of the country - statuettes made of steatite stone, which have become the national symbol of the country. Today the image of the bird of Zimbabwe is minted on coins and placed on the coat of arms of the state.

Coat of arms of Zimbabwe It is a composition in the center of which is a green shield with 14 blue-white waves in the upper part, which is held by two forest kudu antelopes standing on top of an earthen mound, consisting of stalks of wheat, cotton, and corn sprouts. Ancient ruins are depicted in the center of the shield Greater Zimbabwe... Behind the shield, on the left side, is an agricultural hoe and on the right side, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, which are tied together with a twisted golden-green rope. The coat of arms is crowned with a red star and the Bird of Zimbabwe, and at its base is a silver ribbon with the motto in English: « Unity, Freedom, Work » , which means: "Unity, Freedom, Labor" .

Symbolism:

kudu antelope - a symbol of the unity of various ethnic groups in Zimbabwe
earthen mound - the need for the constant provision of the country's inhabitants
green shield - the fertile lands of the country and the waters of the republic
Greater Zimbabwe symbolizes the historical heritage of the nation
hoe and machine gun - fight for peace and democracy, as well as the transition from war to peace
gold and green stripes - national financial companies and economic protection
bird - historical heritage Zimbabwe
red five-pointed star - a symbol of revolution, struggle for freedom, hope for a better future