Changes

'''Cape Verde''' (Republica de Cabo Verde), familiarly called the Cape Verde Islands, is a nation and [[archipelago]] in the mid [[Atlantic Ocean]] about 580 miles west of [[Senegal]]. It has a land area of 1,557 square miles (4,033 sq km) and a rapidly growing population  (est. 450,000 in 1996, est. 524,000 in 2011) made up of a majority of mixed African/European  (mulatto)  ancestry (71%) with 28% black and !% white inhabitants. As many Cape Verdeans live and work abroad as remain on the island. The capital is  Cidade de Praia.

'''Cape Verde''' (Republica de Cabo Verde), familiarly called the Cape Verde Islands, is a nation and [[archipelago]] in the mid [[Atlantic Ocean]] about 580 miles west of [[Senegal]]. It has a land area of 1,557 square miles (4,033 sq km) and a rapidly growing population  (est. 450,000 in 1996, est. 524,000 in 2011) made up of a majority of mixed African/European  (mulatto)  ancestry (71%) with 28% black and !% white inhabitants. As many Cape Verdeans live and work abroad as remain on the island. The capital is  Cidade de Praia.

Cape Verde is a constitutional presidential [[republic]]. It enjoys universal suffrage with both general and presidential terms lasting five years. There are 72 seats, with 6 set aside for expatriate voters.

Cape Verde is a constitutional presidential [[republic]]. It enjoys universal suffrage with both general and presidential terms lasting five years. There are 72 seats, with 6 set aside for expatriate voters.

The archipelago was discovered by the Portuguese in 1456 and settlement began in 1462. It became a staging post for the Portuguese [[slave trade]], first to [[Portugal]] itself and [[Europe[[, then trans-Atlantic; predominately to Brazil. Slavery was not abolished in the islands until 1876. It became an overseas province of Portugal in 1951, however armed struggle for independence began ten years later. Independence was gained on 5 July 1975. After years of political strife,  multi-party party elections were held in 1991 and a constitution came into being the following year.

The archipelago was discovered by the Portuguese in 1456 and settlement began in 1462. It became a staging post for the Portuguese [[slave trade]], first to [[Portugal]] itself and [[Europe]], then trans-Atlantic; predominately to Brazil. Slavery was not abolished in the islands until 1876. It became an overseas province of Portugal in 1951, however armed struggle for independence began ten years later. Independence was gained on 5 July 1975. After years of political strife,  multi-party party elections were held in 1991 and a constitution came into being the following year.