alence rate: 0.04% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 775 (2001)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 225 (as of 2001)

Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean

Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant
(mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African
words)

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 71.6% male: 81.4% female: 63.8% (1995 est.)

Government Cape Verde

Country name: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form:
Cabo Verde

Government type: republic

Capital: Praia

Administrative divisions: 17 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho);
Boa Vista, Brava, Calheta, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo,
Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao
Nicolau, Sao Filipe, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992;
underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing
the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create
the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Legal system: derived from the legal system of Portugal

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March
2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1
February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on
the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by
popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 and 25 February
2001 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister nominated by
the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results:
49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the election was won by only
twelve votes

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional
(72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005)
election results: seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal
de Justia

Political parties and leaders: African Party for Independence of Cape