Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cape Verde facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ribeira Grande de Santiago
Municipality
Municipal hall of Ribeira Grande de Santiago
Country	Cape Verde
Island	Santiago
Seat	Cidade Velha
Area
• Total	137.3 km2 (53.0 sq mi)
Population  (2010)
• Total	8,325
• Density	60.634/km2 (157.04/sq mi)
ID	79

Ribeira Grande de Santiago is a special area in Cape Verde called a municipality. Think of it like a county or district. It's located on the southwestern part of Santiago Island. The main city and administrative center of this municipality is Cidade Velha. In 2010, about 8,325 people lived here, and the total area is about 137.3 square kilometers.

Parts of Ribeira Grande de Santiago

This municipality is divided into two smaller areas, which are like civil parishes. They are:

• Santíssimo Nome de Jesus
• São João Baptista

Geography of the Area

The land in Ribeira Grande de Santiago is mostly mountainous. One important natural feature is the Ribeira Grande de Santiago stream, which flows through the area.

A Look at History

The Ribeira Grande de Santiago municipality is quite new. It was created in 2005. Before that, it was part of the larger Municipality of Praia.

Cidade Velha: An Old City

The old city of Ribeira Grande de Santiago, also known as Cidade Velha, has a very long and interesting history. It is one of the oldest European settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa. This means it was one of the first places where Europeans built a town in this part of Africa.

For a long time, Cidade Velha was a very important port. Ships would stop here, especially those involved in the slave trade from West Africa to the Americas. Today, you can still see many old and important buildings and ruins in the city. Because of its unique history and preserved structures, Cidade Velha was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. This means it's recognized as a place of special cultural or historical importance to the world.

Population Growth

The number of people living in Ribeira Grande de Santiago has changed over the years. Here's how the population grew from 1980 to 2010:

See also

In Spanish: Ribeira Grande de Santiago para niños