Praia, Capital city in Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Praia is the capital on Santiago Island and spreads across several plateaus separated by steep slopes. The city divides into different quarters, including an elevated center with government buildings and lower zones with residential houses and markets.
The settlement emerged in the 18th century when residents of Ribeira Grande moved here to find protection from pirate raids. By the 19th century, it had grown into the most important city in the archipelago.
The name comes from the Portuguese word for beach and reflects its coastal setting. In the side streets, children play in small squares while neighbors watch daily life unfold from their balconies.
Nelson Mandela International Airport sits roughly six miles (10 kilometers) outside and connects Cape Verde with several continents. Inside the city, minibuses and taxis help navigate the height differences between neighborhoods.
Some streets in the Plateau quarter still carry cobblestones from colonial times, laid with basalt stones from the island. The layout follows a right-angled pattern that was unusual for African cities of that era.
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