Praia

Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, an island nation located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. The city lies on the southern part of Santiago Island, the largest island in the country. It is the most populous city in Cape Verde and is home to the seat of government, parliament, and presidential palace.

Praia is a hub for the national economy: the port, commerce, financial services, and public administration. The Portuguese name 'Praia' means 'beach', reflecting the location where the city began on the coastline.

Geography and built form

The city is built on elevated terrain with hills and valleys. The historic quarter known as Platô sits on a flat, elevated area, where administrative buildings and markets are located. Other neighbourhoods spread down the slopes, mostly developed after people moved to the city in recent decades.

The climate is hot and close to maritime desert conditions, with rainfall sparse and concentrated in a few months of late summer. Fresh water availability is a persistent constraint, and desalination plants are used to produce drinking water.

History

The Cape Verde islands were under Portuguese control for centuries. The original administrative centre was Cidade Velha (the old city) on the southern coast of Santiago, but the administration was later moved to Praia, which had higher elevation and better defensive position. Cape Verde gained independence in 1975, and Praia became the capital of the new state.

Society and culture

The people of Praia speak Portuguese (the official language) and Cape Verdean Creole (the language of everyday use). Music such as morna and coladeira are part of the city's cultural life. The city has higher education institutions, and remittances from Cape Verdean diaspora living in Europe and the Americas are economically important.