Santa Cruz, Cape Verde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Cruz
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Municipality
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Port of Pedra Badejo
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| Country | Cape Verde |
| Island | Santiago |
| Area | |
| • Total | 112.2 km2 (43.3 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 26,617 |
| • Density | 237.23/km2 (614.42/sq mi) |
| ID | 73 |
Santa Cruz is a special area in Cape Verde, like a county or district. It is located on the eastern side of Santiago Island. The main city in Santa Cruz is Pedra Badejo. In 2010, about 26,617 people lived there. The total area of Santa Cruz is 112.2 square kilometers.
Contents
What is the Economy Like in Santa Cruz?
The economy in Santa Cruz mainly depends on farming. People in rural areas grow crops to sell in bigger markets. These markets are in cities like Praia, Assomada, and Fogo. Smaller local markets are found in São Lourenço dos Órgãos and Pedra Badejo. Farmers trade their goods there with merchants.
What Crops Do Farmers Grow?
Farmers in Santa Cruz grow many important crops. These include maize (corn), bananas, papayas, and coconuts. They also grow plants for animal feed. Before 1981, a lot of corn was grown here. However, when international food aid arrived, growing corn became less profitable.
Today, corn and legumes are still the main crops. Most of these crops (97%) are eaten by the families who grow them. Farmers use a mix of crops that help the soil and crops that use nutrients. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. This way, small farmers can keep farming even with little cash income.
How Do People Work in the Dry Season?
During the dry season, agricultural cooperatives help organize work. These groups arrange jobs like stonemasonry, carpentry, and other building tasks. Local governments give out these contracts. The head of a cooperative often acts like a village leader where there are no government officials.
What About the Soil and Water?
The soil in Santa Cruz is very fertile. It has a lot of iron and potash, which are good for plants. However, water is scarce throughout the area.
What Are the Main Areas in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is divided into one main area called a freguesia, which is like a civil parish. This area is named Santiago Maior. Inside Santiago Maior, there are many smaller settlements.
Important Settlements in Santa Cruz
- Achada Belbel (population: 767)
- Achada Fazenda (population: 2,592)
- Achada Igreja (population: 142)
- Achada Lage (population: 686)
- Achada Ponta (population: 403)
- Boaventura (population: 424)
- Boca Larga (population: 186)
- Cancelo (population: 2,042)
- Chã da Silva (population: 1,152)
- Librão (population: 297)
- Matinho (population: 737)
- Monte Negro (population: 562)
- Pedra Badejo (population: 9,859, this is the main city)
- Porto Madeira (population: 400)
- Rebelo (population: 153)
- Renque Purga (population: 904)
- Ribeira Seca (population: 720)
- Ribeirão Almaço (population: 158)
- Ribeirão Boi (population: 388)
- Rocha Lama (population: 724)
- Saltos Abaixo (population: 535)
- Santa Cruz (population: 2,019)
- São Cristovão (population: 442)
- Serelho (population: 293)
When Was Santa Cruz Established?
The area of Santa Cruz became its own municipality in 1971. Before that, it was part of the Municipality of Praia. Later, in 2005, a southern part of Santa Cruz split off to become the Municipality of São Lourenço dos Órgãos.
Who Are Some Famous People from Santa Cruz?
Many talented people come from Santa Cruz, including:
- Elida Almeida, a well-known singer
- Nilson António, a footballer
- Djaniny, a footballer
- Lito, a footballer and manager
- Tino Santos, a footballer
- Daniel Varela de Pina, a boxer
Which Cities Are Santa Cruz's Sister Cities?
Santa Cruz has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" or "twin towns." They often share cultural or historical ties.
Santa Cruz is twinned with:
Alandroal, Portugal- Aveiro, Portugal
Candiolo, Italy- Lagoa, Portugal
- Sines, Portugal
