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The National Flag of Cape Verde was officially adopted on September 22, 1992.

The National Flag of Cape Verde features five unequal horizontal bands. The top-most band of blue is equal to one half of the width of the flag and is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width; and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one-quarter of the flag width. A circle of 10 yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and is positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side. The blue color symbolizes the oceans and the sky. The circle of 10 stars represents the 10 major islands of the country that is united into a nation. The red and white bands symbolize the road to the formation of the country and economic progress through peace (white) and effort (red). The flag has a width-to-length proportion ratio of 10:17.

History of the Flag of Cape Verde

Until its independence in 1975, Cape Verde was represented by the Flag of Portugal. The first flag of Cape Verde featured the traditional Pan-African colors. It also maintained a link with its colonial past since these colors were also featured on the flag of Portugal. In 1992, the use of this flag was discontinued due to a conflict with Guinea-Bassau. This conflict ultimately led to the adoption of the unusually complex designed modern flag of Cape Verde.

National Anthem

• Anthem Title: "C芒ntico da Liberdade" ("Chant of Liberty")
• Music Composer: Adalberto Higino Tavares Silva
• Lyricist: Amilcar Spencer Lopes
• Date of Adoption: July 5, 1996

"C芒ntico da Liberdade" ("Chant of Liberty") is the national anthem of Cape Verde. The music of the anthem was composed by Adalberto Higino Tavares Silva. The lyrics have been authored by Amilcar Spencer Lopes. The anthem was officially adopted on July 5, 1996.

The current official currency of the Republic of Cape Verde is Cape Verdean escudo (CVE).

Coins

In 1830, under the Portuguese rule, coins were introduced in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos and 1 escudo. The lower denominations were of bronze, while the 50 centavos and 1 escudo were in nickel-bronze. In 1977, after independence, coins were issued in 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2 ^1/2, 10, 20, and 50 escudos. Due to severe inflation, the centavo coins disappeared from circulation. In 1994, the present denomination coins were introduced. Coins of denominations 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 are commonly used while 200, 500 coins are rarely used.

Banknotes

The Branco Nacional Ultramarino introduced notes in 1914, in the denominations of 4, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos. Notes for 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 escudos were issued in 1921. In 1945, all denominations below 5 escudos were replaced by coins and there were only notes of 500 escudos. On July 5, 1975, after independence, 100, 500- and 1000-escudo notes were issued. In 1989, 100, 200, 500, 1000- and 2500-escudo notes were issued. In 1992, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000- and 5000-escudo notes were issued. In 2005, the 200 notes were redesigned to celebrate 30 years of independence. In 2007, the 500 and 1000 notes were also redesigned. On December 22, 2014, new banknotes were issued by Banco de Cabo Verde to honor the reputed national figures of various fields. The notes were in the denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 2500, and 5000.

Historical Currencies of Cape Verde

In 1914, escudo became the currency of Cape Verde. The escudo replaced the Cape Verdean real. However, Portuguese coins were used in Cape Verde until 1930. The Cape Verde escudo was pegged equal to Portuguese escudo until 1975. Afterward, it depreciated and in 1984 it became stable again. In 1998, an agreement led to the pegging of the Portuguese escudo at 0.55 Cape Verdean escudo. The replacement of Portuguese escudo by euro led to its pegging with the Cape Verdean escudo at 110.265 CVE = 1 EUR.