The Republic of Cape Verde is a small island nation off the coast of West Africa. It is also known as Cabo Verde, a Portuguese name that means Green Cape. Other synonyms for this country include Cape Verde Islands, Cape Verdean Islands and Cape Verde Archipelago. These terms all refer to the group of ten volcanic islands that make up the country. Another phrase that is commonly used to refer to Cape Verde is the "African Caribbean". This is because of the country's mix of African, European and South American cultures, as well as its reputation as a tropical tourist destination.