since the early 1990s, 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 540,000 is mostly of mixed european, moorish, arab and african heritage, and predominantly roman catholic, reflecting the legacy of portuguese rule. a sizeable diaspora community exists across the world, slightly outnumbering inhabitants on the islands.