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Praia
Overview
Praia — literally "Beach" in Portuguese — is Cape Verde's capital and busiest city. While it's maybe not comparable to a western metropolis, with a population of only about 159,050 (2017), one in four Cape Verdeans call
Facts
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Source
WBP almanac
External sources
Media
From Wikipedia2,037 words
Introduction
For other uses, see Praia (disambiguation). Capital of Cape Verde Capital city in SantiagoPraiaCapital cityView of Monte VermelhoPalácio da Cultura Ildo LoboPraia City HallFundação Amílcar CabralMonumento de Diogo GomesAerial view of Praia FlagCoat of armsPraiaLocation of Praia in Cape VerdeShow map of Cape VerdePraiaPraia (Africa)Show map of AfricaCoordinates: 14°55′05″N 23°30′32″W / 14.918°N 23.509°W / 14.918; -23.509IslandSantiagoMunicipalityPraiaCivil ParishNossa Senhora da GraçaFounded16th centuryCity1858Area • Total102.6 km2 (39.6 sq mi)Population (2021) • Total141,219 • Density1,376/km2 (3,565/sq mi)Time zoneUTC-01:00 (CVT) Praia (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpɾajɐ], Portuguese for "beach") is the capital and largest city of Cape Verde. Located on the southern coast of Santiago island within the Sotavento Islands group, the city is the seat of the Praia Municipality. Praia is the political, economic and cultural center of Cape Verde.
History
[edit] A depiction of Praia during the 1781 Battle of Porto Praya. Praia in November 1792 The island of Santiago was discovered by António da Noli in 1460.: 73  The first settlement on the island was Ribeira Grande (Cidade Velha). The village Praia de Santa Maria was first mentioned around 1615 and grew near the natural harbour. The ports of Santiago were important ports of call for ships sailing between Portugal and the Portuguese colonies in Africa and South America. Between the end of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century, both Ribeira Grande and Praia was attacked by privateers several times, including Sir Francis Drake in 1585 and Jacques Cassard in 1712.: 195  Due to its strategic position on a plateau it had better protection against pirate attacks, which gave it a large advantage over the older city of Ribeira Grande (Cidade Velha). It gradually superseded Cidade Velha to become the most important settlement of Cape Verde, and became the capital of Cape Verde in 1770. The naval battle of Porto Praya took place at Praia Harbour on 16 April 1781, as Portugal was neutral, it involved Great Britain and France and ended in a tactical draw and French strategic victory. Praia was the first stop of Charles Darwin's voyage with HMS Beagle in 1832. In the course of the 19th century, the Plateau was completely redeveloped with streets according to a grid plan, lined with grand colonial buildings and mansions. Praia officially became a city (cidade) in 1858, which secured its status as the capital of Cape Verde, concentrating political, religious and economic roles.: 55  In the early 1920s, the population was around 21,000. As in other parts of the archipelago, resistance against Portuguese rule rose in the 1950s. There was no open independence war like in Guinea-Bissau; after the 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal and the resulting end of the Portuguese Colonial War, Cape Verde declared independence in July 1975. After independence, Praia underwent a demographic boom, receiving migrating movements from all the islands. As a result, 56% of the entire population of Cape Verde resides in Santiago; and 29% in the Municipality of Praia alone. Its estimated population has reached 151,436 (2015).: 36  On 28 June 1985, Praia became member of UCCLA, the Union of Luso – Afro-Americo-Asiatic Capital Cities, an international organization.