Idea #733 – Visiting the city of Praia on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde
Praia, the “beach” in Portuguese, is the capital of Cape Verde. It is located on the island of Santiago, the largest of the nine archipelago islands and has close to 130,000 inhabitants, which is also the largest city in the country. The island of Santiago was discovered by Diogo Gomes de Sintra, Portuguese navigator, in 1460, after the exploration of Guinea Bissau or the Gambia.
Verse 1615, the first inhabitants were installed to establish a clandestine port, intended to practice contraband and to avoid the customs law of the capital of the era, Ribeira Grande. After a period of decline in dependence on Ribeira Grande, Praia became the new capital of the archipelago in 1770. Its capital status remained relatively precarious during the XIX century, and the town of Mindelo could have given it its title to several reprises.
By a decree of 1858, Praia definitively acquires the capital status of Cape Verde and concentrates its political, religious and economic powers, mainly on the “Plateau” or Plateau zone. This site, located on a plateau beyond the port of Praia, always had a strategic position, easy to defend against pirate attacks.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Plateau, Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde
