Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde

For other uses, see Ribeira Brava.

Ribeira Brava is a city^[2] on the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde. It is the seat of the Ribeira Brava Municipality. Its population was 1,936 at the 2010 census.^[1] The town is situated in the valley of the river Ribeira Brava, east of the main mountain range of the island. The name of the river (and the town) is Portuguese for "rough stream", referring to the violent behaviour of the river during rains. The city has a colonial look with Portuguese style buildings, parks and gardens, small winding streets, and steep hills.

Ribeira Brava
Settlement
Town square in Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava
Coordinates: 16.615°N 24.299°W / 16.615; -24.299
Country	Cape Verde
Island	São Nicolau
Municipality	Ribeira Brava
Civil parish	Nossa Senhora do Rosário
Population  (2010)[1]
• Total	1,936
ID	31228

History

Ribeira Brava was founded in 1653, when the older settlement Porto de Lapa, 8 km (5.0 mi) to the east on the south coast, had been abandoned due to pirate attacks.^[3]: 16 It was the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde between 1786 and 1943.^[3]: 28 The Seminário-Liceu, founded in Ribeira Brava in 1866 and abolished in 1917, was an important center of higher education in the archipelago.^[4] From 1931 political prisoners from Portugal were held in the building.^[3]: 29

View of the Valley of Ribeira Brava

Demographics

Year	Population
1990[5]	1899
2010[1]	1936

Transport

The Preguiça Airport lies 3 km southeast of Ribeira Brava. The main ferry port is at Tarrafal de São Nicolau.