Viana is a constituent republic of Verde Region.
| Viana Republic | |
|---|---|
| Island of Sao Vicente | |
| Constituent Republic of Vekllei | |
 |
|
| Part of the Verde Region | |
| It comprises four desert islands, but only the largest, Viana, is inhabited. | |
| Population | 360,391 |
| Demographics |
50% Badiu 30% São Tomense & Forro 10% African
10% other
|
| Economy | Metals, machinery & defence Fisheries & shipping, Energy & minerals |
| Produces | Fish, Canned Fish, Preserved Foods, Maize, Rum |
| Working week | 19.2 hours |
| Specialisation | Domestic |
| Accession | 1945, as part of the British Atlantic Territories |
| Area | 226.7 km² |
| Capital | Mindelo |
| Languages | English, Verde Creole, Portuguese |
The Viana Republic is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the Atlantic, off the coast of the African Sahara. It comprises four desert islands, but only the largest, Viana, is inhabited. The island is roughly rectangular and flat, and rises to nearly 800 meters at its highest point, looking out over its smaller neighbours. These other islands are mountainous and almost entirely without vegetation, giving them an alien, moonlike look. The largest of them, Lucia, has no real use beyond a meteorological station run by the Bureau of Meteorology, though its slopes are protected as a national park for the endangered birds and animals that live there.
Portuguese settlers arrived on Viana in the late 18th Century. The port of Mindelo became a coaling station for British and Portuguese ships, and later an oiling station. When that trade dried up the town shrank with it, and by the time of Vekllei’s accession only about 12,000 people lived there. Mindelo has since grown enormously. Much of that growth came from being one of the first places foreign migrants settled after the Commonwealth was reestablished in 1965.
About 320,000 people live in Mindelo now, some 95% of the republic’s population. Its dense core of tower apartments resembles Singapore more than anywhere else in Verde Region. The architecture is modernist, in an odd but appealing fusion with the colour and noise of Verdean street life. Mindelo is the third most populous city in the Verde archipelago, after Java and Praia, and most of the republic’s civil service and commerce runs through it, though Viana itself has little industry beyond petroleum refining and food processing. Major corporations, government bureaus and collectives are headquartered there regardless.
Vianans are a cheerful people who do not need much excuse for a celebration. The republic’s carnival runs for a week between Shrove Monday and Mardi Gras, blending Portuguese and Brazilian Catholic traditions. Seafood is eaten constantly, and most fishing is done by spearfishing from wooden boats.
Outside the capital, Viana is greener than the rest of the archipelago but still dry, and its agriculture is mostly smallholdings, homesteads and aquaponics. Mindelo’s port has a Commonwealth Oil refinery. The republic has good schools and hospitals, the island is well connected by rail, and its airport is the largest in the region.
Climate
Hot and dry, resembling a desert climate. It is warm year-round and receives little rain.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 23° 20° 23° 20° 24° 20° 24° 20° 25° 21° 25° 22° 27° 23° 28° 24° 29° 25° 28° 24° 27° 23° 25° 22°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 23° 20° 23° 20° 24° 20° 24° 20° 25° 21° 25° 22° Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 27° 23° 28° 24° 29° 25° 28° 24° 27° 23° 25° 22°
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day 1 Jan
- Heroes Day 20 Jan
- Carnival Late Feb
- Good Friday 30 Apr
- Commonwealth Day 1 May
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- Assumption Day 15 Aug
- Republic Day 20 Aug
- All Saints Day 1 Nov
- Christmas Day 25 Dec
- Electronic Components
- Fish
- Fruit
- Glass
- Lubricants
- Molasses
- Palm Oil
- Petroleum
- Plastics
- Salt
- Sugar
- Timber
- Vegetables
- Vinegar
- Mindelo: Viana’s cultural and economic hub, known for its vibrant music scene, colonial architecture, and festivals like Carnival and Baía das Gatas Music Festival.
- Laginha Beach: Popular beach in Mindelo with white sands and turquoise waters.
- Monte Verde: The highest peak on Viana Island, with good views of neighbouring islands.
- São Pedro Beach: Known for its strong winds, this beach is a hotspot for windsurfing enthusiasts.
- Quarter Lucia: District in Mindelo famous for its dramatic and unique modernist architecture, fusing tropical and Bauhaus elements.
- Palácio do Povo: A historic building in Mindelo, notable for its colonial-era architecture and cultural significance.
- Porto Grande: One of the busiest ports in [[verde|Verde Region]], serving an important role in regional trade, fishing, and ferry services to other islands.
- Commonwealth University – Viana Campus: School for higher education and research, contributing to the republic’s academic and cultural life.
- Viana Campus 1,800
- Method Workshop Systems 1,100
- Viana Barracks 240
- Hotel Monopol 70
- Hotel Estoril 50
- Hotel Cruzeiro 50
- Viana Harbour House 50
- Education 11.5%
- Skilled Trades & Construction 11.2%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.8%
- Healthcare 9.7%
All 19 groups
Hide table
- Education 11.5%
- Skilled Trades & Construction 11.2%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.8%
- Healthcare 9.7%
| Occupation | Share | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 11.5% | 50,700 |
| Skilled Trades & Construction | 11.2% | 49,300 |
| Agriculture, Land & Sea | 9.8% | 43,100 |
| Healthcare | 9.7% | 42,900 |
| Domestic | 9.6% | 42,300 |
| Industry | 7.8% | 34,400 |
| Government & Civil Administration | 6.1% | 26,800 |
| Transport | 4.9% | 21,600 |
| Arts & Media | 4.8% | 21,100 |
| Security & Defence | 4.4% | 19,400 |
| Retail, Distribution & Logistics | 3.4% | 15,100 |
| Economic Planning | 3.0% | 13,100 |
| Sport & Recreation | 3.0% | 13,100 |
| Hospitality & Participatory Trades | 2.6% | 11,300 |
| Science & Research | 2.0% | 8,760 |
| Information & Communications | 1.9% | 8,370 |
| Law & Justice | 1.8% | 8,000 |
| Energy & Resources | 1.5% | 6,720 |
| Religious & Ceremonial | 1.0% | 4,270 |
Register estimates of posts located in the republic, rounded; figures under 50 suppressed. Includes 460 posts held by non-residents.