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Our Heritage and History Page Postcard from Sao Vicente  We can't talk about our history without knowing something about our heritage - a big part of who we are and how we came to be takes us to the Motherland - Africa. Specifically, off the coast of West Africa to Fogo, just one of ten Cape Verde Islands. When the Andrades migrated from Fogo to the United States, they settled in Taunton, MA, where many of our relatives still live today. This page is dedicated to all the proud descendants of the Andrade Family. Welcome home!
Ever wondered how you or another family member were related? Well, the Andrade Family Tree is the place to go! If you have information that may be helpful to us, or know someone who does, please email Christina Emerson at c72168@aol.com. We'd be oh so grateful! But while you're here, why not read on and explore some Cape Verdean history? And there's plenty more if you're a real history buff! Check our Culture and Other Facts links to the left of this page. Enjoy!
The Republic of Cape Verde 
Map of the Cape Verde Islands The Cape Verde Islands Off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde consists of ten volcanic islands and five islets. The islands were uninhabited until discovered by the Portuguese in 1456; African slaves were brought here to work on plantations. Their population is of mixed African and European descent.  Satellite Image of the Island of Fogo
Scene from the Island of Santo Antao Independence from Portugal came in 1975. African culture is most evident on the island of Santiago—where half the population lives. Cape Verde enjoys a stable democratic system. Water shortages hinder agriculture, but tourism is a growing industry. 
Scene from the Island of Sao Vicente
Fast Facts Cape Verde Flag The national flag (above), adopted in 1992, is used as national insignia, and replaced the former flag (below), used till 1992, when the relationship with Guinea-Bissau ceased. 
Repblica de Cabo Verde
Republic of Cape Verde 
National Emblem | Motto: Unidade, Trabalho, Progresso
(Portuguese: "Unity, Work, Progress") | | Anthem: Cntico da Liberdade | | | Capital | Praia
1455′N 2331′W | | Largest city | Praia | | Official language(s) | Portuguese (official) and nine Portuguese Creoles | | Government | Republic | | - President | Pedro Pires | | - Prime Minister | Jos Maria Neves | | Independence | from Portugal | | - Recognized | July 5, 1975 | | Area | | | - Total | 4,033 km (173rd) | | | 1,557 sq mi | | - Water (%) | Negligible | | Population | | | - July 2005 est. | 507,000 (164th) | | - 2001 census | 401,343 | | - Density | 101/km (79th)
262/sq mi | | GDP (PPP) | 2005 estimate | | - Total | $2.99 billion (171st) | | - Per capita | $5,858 (96th) | | HDI (2003) | 0.721 (105th) – medium | | Currency | Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) | | Time zone | (UTC-1) | | Internet TLD | .cv | | Calling code | 238 |
ReferencesMuch of the material on this website comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website. Dr Marcel Gomes Balla of Boston University has written a short history of these islands, Antonio's Island ISBN 1898030480, covering:
The 'official' discovery of Cabo Verde, The Treaty of Tordesilhas- the complete text-in English, The Cape Verdean navigator who made
an extraordinary impact on America, Africa, Europe and Asia, The involvement of the church with slavery, The historical ties between
Cabo Verde and Columbus, Cabo Verde Vasco da Gama and Cabral, The creation of Brazil, The historical ties with Italy and other
countries, The first non-Europeans to cross the Atlantic with a regular sailing schedule and a lot more useful information such as:
Portraits of Cape Verdean navigators published for the first time for the public (Africans , mestizos, Europeans, but always Cape
Verdeans).
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