Praia is a constituent republic of Verde Region.
| Praia Republic | |
|---|---|
| Island of Santiago | |
| Constituent Republic of Vekllei | |
 |
|
| Part of the Verde Region | |
| It has the only underground metro in Verde, which connects to scenic rail lines running out to the republic’s mountain towns and villages. | |
| Population | 492,199 |
| Demographics |
80% Badiu 10% African 4% European
6% other
|
| Economy | Metals, machinery & defence Plantations & spices, Fisheries & shipping |
| Produces | Sugar, Fish, Canned Fish, Salt, Maize |
| Working week | 19.5 hours |
| Specialisation | Security & Defence |
| Accession | 1945, as part of the British Atlantic Territories |
| Area | 991 km² |
| Capital | Praia |
| Languages | English, Verde Creole, Portuguese |
The Praia Republic (literally “Beach”) is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the Atlantic, in the southeastern fringe of the Barlavento archipelago. Its most distinctive feature is its towns, which sit on plateaus raised above the surrounding valleys – “Plateau” might have been the better name. The island is heavily forested, especially in its valleys and mountains, which is unusual for the region, and the overall effect is an unusually pretty island with a fairly insular culture of its own.
Praia is the administrative heart of eastern Verde and the seat of its federal garrison, and is the most populous of the Barlavento republics. For all that, it administers little beyond itself. Other Verde republics host major federal or international institutions – the NLTU in Sal, or the International Peace Park on Maio – but Praia has nothing of the kind, despite a welcoming culture, developed coastal towns and a pleasant climate.
The island was established as the Verde capital in 1858, largely becaause of its anchorage and neutral position. A fortress was built there in phases over the following decades and has since absorbed the small islet in the harbour it once stood on; it remains the largest structure in the republic. The Portuguese colonial period also left behind salt pans and the legacy of the slave trade.
Verdean musicians fleeing drought in the 1880s found patrons among the colonial garrison and bureaucracy, and Praia developed its own strand of morna music. Informal concerts are still held around the old fortress, and the cafés near Government House keep something of the colonial-era atmosphere.
The capital, also called Praia, is well developed and has a number of tall buildings, including the fortress and the headquarters of the Commonwealth Maritime Register. It has the only underground metro in Verde, which connects to scenic rail lines running out to the republic’s mountain towns and villages. A fast train also runs to Tarrafal, the republic’s other city.
Climate
Expect heavy rains between August and October, but no precipitation at all the rest of the year. The weather is warm year-round.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 27° 20° 27° 20° 28° 20° 28° 20° 29° 21° 30° 22° 30° 23° 31° 24° 31° 24° 31° 24° 30° 23° 28° 21°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 27° 20° 27° 20° 28° 20° 28° 20° 29° 21° 30° 22° Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 30° 23° 31° 24° 31° 24° 31° 24° 30° 23° 28° 21°
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day 1 Jan
- Heroes Day 20 Jan
- Republic Day 9 Mar
- Good Friday 30 Apr
- Commonwealth Day 1 May
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- Assumption Day 15 Aug
- All Saints Day 1 Nov
- Christmas Day 25 Dec
- Ammunition
- Butter
- Eggs
- Electronic Components
- Fish
- Flour
- Glass
- Wheat
- Lubricants
- Molasses
- Palm Oil
- Beans
- Salt
- Sugar
- Government House: Colonial-period government building, now home to Praia’s parliament.
- Assomada: Colourful regional town located on a plateau in central Praia, surrounded by forested valleys.
- Verdant Gardens: Botanic gardens containing specimens of most of Praia’s nearly 300 endemic species.
- Praia Sugar Works 6,000
- NCH Verde Office 5,000
- Praia Citadel 2,430
- Africa Air Base 1,620
- Saharan Ordnance Magazine 410
- Office of the Director 300
- Press Office 140
- Establishments Office 380
- Recruitment Office 300
- Office of Statistics 30
- Office of Civil Defence 30
- Office of Health Democracy 25
- Office of Laboratories 280
- Poisons Information Centre 180
- Immunisation Schedule Office 120
- Novel Diseases Laboratory 320
- Port Health Office 400
- Quarantine Stations Office 260
- Epidemic Intelligence Service 380
- National Disease Registry 260
- World Health Research Organisation 420
- Overseas Field Teams Office 260
- Perennial Marine Arsenal 3,000
- Praia Naval Yard 2,400
- Oriental Supply Area 2,000
- Method Agriculture Works 1,900
- Praia Metropolitan Railway 1,011
- Assomada Tramways 199
- Tropical Works 800
- Verde Campus 335
- Praia Mar Hotel 50
- Cidade Velha Inn 30
- Hotel Andrade 50
- Casa Semedo 30
- Gina Praia Plant 160
- Verdean Section 120
- Skilled Trades & Construction 10.4%
- Government & Civil Administration 10.2%
- Education 10.0%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.8%
All 19 groups
Hide table
- Skilled Trades & Construction 10.4%
- Government & Civil Administration 10.2%
- Education 10.0%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.8%
| Occupation | Share | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Trades & Construction | 10.4% | 61,400 |
| Government & Civil Administration | 10.2% | 60,200 |
| Education | 10.0% | 59,000 |
| Agriculture, Land & Sea | 9.8% | 58,000 |
| Healthcare | 9.6% | 57,100 |
| Security & Defence | 7.6% | 44,900 |
| Industry | 7.6% | 44,700 |
| Domestic | 7.2% | 42,500 |
| Transport | 4.5% | 26,700 |
| Arts & Media | 4.2% | 24,700 |
| Retail, Distribution & Logistics | 3.7% | 21,800 |
| Economic Planning | 2.8% | 16,600 |
| Sport & Recreation | 2.6% | 15,300 |
| Hospitality & Participatory Trades | 2.1% | 12,700 |
| Law & Justice | 2.0% | 11,600 |
| Science & Research | 1.9% | 11,100 |
| Information & Communications | 1.9% | 11,000 |
| Energy & Resources | 1.3% | 7,610 |
| Religious & Ceremonial | 0.9% | 5,190 |
Register estimates of posts located in the republic, rounded; figures under 50 suppressed. Includes 7,780 posts held by non-residents.