Ribeira Grande, Cape Verde (municipality) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ribeira Grande
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Municipality
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Municipal hall of Ribeira Grande in Ponta do Sol
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| Country | Cape Verde |
| Island | Santo Antão |
| Seat | Ponta do Sol |
| Area | |
| • Total | 166.5 km2 (64.3 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 18,890 |
| • Density | 113.45/km2 (293.84/sq mi) |
| ID | 11 |
| Website | Official website: http://www.gov.cv/cmrg |
Ribeira Grande is a special area in Cape Verde called a concelho, which is like a county or municipality. It's located in the northern part of Santo Antão island. This area covers about one-fifth of the island's total size, which is 166.5 square kilometers. It's also home to almost half of the island's people, with 18,890 residents counted in 2010. The main town and administrative center of Ribeira Grande is Ponta do Sol.
Contents
What is Ribeira Grande?
Ribeira Grande is a big area that includes several smaller parts. It's managed by a local government that helps run things for the people living there. Think of it like a county in other countries.
Parts of Ribeira Grande
The municipality of Ribeira Grande is divided into four smaller areas called freguesias, which are like civil parishes or local districts. Each of these has its own community and history.
- Nossa Senhora do Rosário
- Nossa Senhora do Livramento
- Santo Crucifixo
- São Pedro Apóstolo
How Many People Live Here?
The number of people living in Ribeira Grande has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population from 1940 to 2010:
| Year | Population |
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| 1940 |
19,766
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| 1950 |
15,444
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| 1960 |
17,246
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| 1970 |
22,873
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| 1980 |
22,102
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| 1990 |
20,851
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| 2000 |
21,560
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| 2010 |
18,890
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As you can see, the population grew quite a bit until 1970, and then it slowly decreased.
Exploring Ribeira Grande's Landscape
Ribeira Grande has a very rugged and mountainous landscape. It stretches from the high mountains in the middle of the island all the way to the northern coast. You'll find several deep river valleys here, like the Ribeira da Garça, Ribeira Grande, and Ribeira da Torre valleys.
The municipality shares its borders with other areas. To the east, it's next to the municipality of Paul. To the south, it borders Porto Novo. Some beautiful protected natural areas are also found partly within Ribeira Grande, such as Cova-Paul-Ribeira da Torre Natural Park, Moroços, and Cruzinha. These areas are important for protecting nature and wildlife.
A Look at Ribeira Grande's Past
The history of Ribeira Grande as a separate administrative area goes back a long time.
- In 1732, the Municipality of Santo Antão was created, and its main town was Ribeira Grande.
- Later, in 1867, this large municipality was split into two: the municipality of Paul (which included what are now Paul and Porto Novo) and the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
- For a short time, in 1895, these two were merged back into one big municipality.
- But by 1917, the municipalities of Paul and Ribeira Grande were separated again, becoming distinct areas once more.
Famous People from Ribeira Grande
Several notable people have come from Ribeira Grande:
- António do Espírito Santo Fonseca: He was the president of the National Assembly of Cape Verde from 1996 to 2001.
- Gabriel Mariano: A well-known Cape Verdean writer who wrote essays, novels, and poetry.
- Manuel de Novas: A famous Cape Verdean poet.
Ribeira Grande's Sister Cities
Ribeira Grande has "twin towns" or "sister cities." This means they have a special friendship and often share cultural exchanges or work together on projects.
- Torres Novas, Portugal
- Ponta do Sol, Madeira Islands
See also
In Spanish: Ribeira Grande (Cabo Verde) para niños
