Tarrafal is a municipality located in the northern part of the island of Santiago in Sotavento in Cape Verde. The municipal population is around 18000, the area is 112.4 km² and the density is about 160/km². Tarrafal is located 75 km NNW of Cape Verde's capital, Praia.
DescriptionTarrafal is a seaside town and fishing port on the northwestern coast of the Cape Verdean island of Santiago. It is also the name of the county in which the town resides, which covers the northern section of the island of Santiago. The town boasts a beautiful soft-sand and palm-tree lined beach in the shadow of Monte Gordo, a distinctive mountain just north of the settlement. It is a popular vacation and tourism spot for people on the island. It has sunset views of the island of Fogo, cabins to rent, and outdoor dining with the scenic mountain or seaside views. The town of Tarrafal is the northern anchor of the road leading through Assomada to Praia (the Cape Verdean capital). There is also a small road that leads to the most northern point of the island of Santiago. Farmland surrounds the town to the north and east and in the southern valley areas. The Serra da Malagueta mountain range lies to the south. Grassland and bushes covers most of the area, with a couple of forests in the mountain heights. Under Salazar the Tarrafal Concentration Camp was built on the plain south of town (Chao Bom) to contain opponents of the political regime. There are several other settlements in Cape Verde with the same name, notably Tarrafal on the island of Sao Nicolau; however, Tarrafal on the island of Santiago is the largest and most populous. EconomyThe economy includes businesses, agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Most of the population is rural. The urban population is concentrated in the town of Tarrafal. ParishesThe municipality includes only one parish: SettlementsTarrafal (town)Tarrafal is also the name of the town that constitutes the seat of the Tarrafal Municipality. Tarrafal has a few schools or collegiates (colegio), a few lyceums (middle schools), a gymnasium (secondary schools), churches, beaches, ports, a post office and squares (praças). Historical population (town)
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