Cape Verde » Introduction of Praia

The capital of Cape Verde is on the southern tip of Sao Tiago, Santiago, the largest and most populous island of Cape Verde. Santiago is the largest and most populated Island and its principal City, Praia, is the Capital of the Republic.

Though fairly small, only 65.000 the inhabitants, Praia is Cape Verde's largest city, whereas Amilcar Cabral Avenue, the biggest street in the city, is less than one km long. The city’s port ships coffee, sugar cane, and tropical fruits. Praia also has a good fishing industry. There are resort beaches nearby, and an airport just west of the city. 

The traditional festivals and day-to-day atmosphere of the whole island makes Santiago the most African of all the islands of the archipelago. Curiously, there is also a large Chinese population in Praia.

Portuguese is Cape Verde's official language and the language of instruction in official schools. However, the Cape Verdean Crioulo languages are also widely spoken. These are a range of Portuguese-based creole languages, which vary considerably from island to island. However, the substantial differences between the languages spoken in different islands, each with its traditional spelling system, have been a major obstacle in the way of this move. 

Praia’s main attractions are the Cidade Velha, the first Portuguese settlement on Cape Verde, and the Fort Real de San Felipe. Tarrafal, the fishing village attracts crowds of tourists with one of the best beaches containing the presently restoring Old Colonial Prison.