Tarrafal, Cape Verde

Coordinates: 15°16′41″N 23°45′07″W / 15.278°N 23.752°W / 15.278; -23.752
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Tarrafal
Settlement
View of the town of Tarrafal
View of the town of Tarrafal
Tarrafal is located in Cape Verde
Tarrafal
Tarrafal
Coordinates: 15°16′41″N 23°45′07″W / 15.278°N 23.752°W / 15.278; -23.752
CountryCape Verde
IslandSantiago
MunicipalityTarrafal
Civil parishSanto Amaro Abade
Population
 (2010)[1]
 • Total6,656
ID71120

Tarrafal (also: Mangui or Mangue) is a city[2] in the northern part of the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. In 2010 its population was 6,656. It is a fishing port situated on the northwestern coast. It constitutes the seat of the Tarrafal Municipality.

Geography[edit]

Tarrafal Beach with Monte Graciosa
Tarrafal's Main street

The city is situated by the Baía de Tarrafal, at the foot of 643 m high Monte Graciosa.[3] Tarrafal is at the northern end of two main roads to Praia in the south, one leading through Assomada and São Domingos (EN1-ST01), the other along the east coast through Calheta de São Miguel and Pedra Badejo (EN1-ST02).

History[edit]

The origin of the name Tarrafal is the indigenous plant tarrafe,[3] Tamarix senegalensis.[4] The settlement was mentioned in the 1747 map by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin as "Terrafal".[5] Tarrafal was the seat of the municipality of Santa Catarina from 1869 until 1912, when the seat was moved to Assomada.[6] In 1917, the municipality of Tarrafal was separated from Santa Catarina, and the town Tarrafal became its seat.[7] Between 1936 and 1974, political prisoners were held at the Tarrafal camp, south of the city. At least 32 prisoners died in the camp, which now houses a museum.[3]

Santo Amaro Church

Demographics[edit]

Year Population
23 June 1990, census 3,626
16 June 2000, census 5,785
1 January 2005, estimate 6,463
2010, census 6,656
View over Tarrafal along with Monte Graciosa from the Serra Malagueta ranges

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2010 Census results". Instituto Nacional de Estatística Cabo Verde (in Portuguese). 24 November 2016.
  2. ^ Cabo Verde, Statistical Yearbook 2015, Instituto Nacional de Estatística, p. 32-33
  3. ^ a b c Tarrafal guia turístico, Câmara municipal do Tarrafal
  4. ^ Tamarix senegalensis, Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical
  5. ^ Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1747). "Carte des Isles du Cap Verd = Kaart van de Eilanden van Kabo Verde" (in French).
  6. ^ Evolução histórica do Concelho de Santa Catarina (1834 – 1912), Ana Zenaida Gomes, 2005, p. 42
  7. ^ História Câmara municipal, Câmara municipal do Tarrafal