Cabo Verde/Cape Verde

Charles Darwin on stamps and postmarks of Cabo Verde/Cape Verde

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Contents:
Cape Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an island country spanning an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. Located 570 kilometers off the coast of Western Africa, the islands cover a combined area of slightly over 4,000 square kilometers.
The Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands, establishing the first European settlement in the tropics.
Ideally located for the Atlantic slave trade, the islands grew prosperous throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, attracting merchants, privateers, and pirates. The end of slavery in the 19th century led to economic decline and emigration, although Cape Verde gradually recovered as an important commercial center and stopover for shipping routes.
Incorporated as an overseas department of Portugal in 1951, the islands continued to agitate for independence, which was peacefully achieved in 1975.
Since independence, Cape Verde has been a stable representative democracy, and remains one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa. Lacking natural resources, its developing economy is mostly service-oriented, with a growing focus on tourism and foreign investment. Its population of around 512,000 is mostly of mixed European and African heritage (mestiços).

Historically, the name "Cape Verde" has been used in English for the archipelago and, since independence in 1975, for the country. In 2013, the Cape Verdean government determined that the Portuguese designation "Cabo Verde" would henceforth be used for official purposes, such as at the United Nations, even in English contexts. [R1]

So far there is only one Paleontology related stamps set - stamps of Charles Darwin issued in 2009> that commemorate 200th Anniversary or bicentenary of the birth of the greatest naturalist in history. [R2]




Official stamps of Cape Verde related to Paleontology: Charles Darwin

20.10.2009 "Charles Darwin, Naturalist, Evolutionist"
Charles Darwin on stamp of Cabo Verde 2009



Official postmark of Cape Verde related to Paleontology: Charles Darwin

Legend is here
20.10.2009 "Charles Darwin, Naturalist, Evolutionist" [FDC]
Charles Darwin on postmark of Cabo Verde 2009



References:
  •   [R1] Cape Verde: Wikipedia, WikiTravel, FlagCounter.
  •   [R2] Postal History and Philately of Cape Verde:
              Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Cape Verde are here.


Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, for reviewing the draft page and his very valuable comments.


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