Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde

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The town of Ribeira Brava (Stancha) takes its name from several 'rough' streams in the valley areas in the mountains to the west and also in the centre of the island of Sao Nicolau. The town is sandwiched between two mountains, Monte Fora to the North and Calejão mountains to the South. Its streets and buildings stretch hundreds of metres within the valley. Ribeira Brava has historically been the island's main municipality. It serves as the center of business and trade for the surrounding areas, and is the municipal capital of São Nicolau, Cape Verde (after 2005, municipally excludes the new Tarrafal de São Nicolau. Its population is 4,982. It is one of the oldest towns in Cape Verde and was for many years the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in the islands. The town has a colonial look with Portuguese style buildings, charming parks and gardens, small winding streets, and steep hills with stunning views. Ribeira Brava is linked with roads to Tarrafal de São Nicolau on the southwestern part of the island, south to its nearest port Campo and to the eastern half of the island as well. The town was founded in the sixteenth century after locals settled here to escape continuous pirate attacks by the likes of Sir Francis Drake. Ribeira Brava is famous for being the bedrock of Cape Verdean intellect as there you find a Seminary which for many years was the center of higher education in the archipelago.

The Church of Our lady of the Rosary is the pride of the town.

A charming town center surrounded by Portuguese style colonial buildings

One of the town's major event is the local carnival, which is the second largest in the country.

Locals take carnival very serious in this town.

[edit] Nearest places

• Campo, north

[edit] Settlements

• Belém
• Cabeçalinho
• Cachaco
• Calejão
• Campo
• Carriçal
• Carvoeiro
• Castilhano
• Covada
• Estância Bras
• Fajã de Baixo
• Fajã de Cima
• Fontaninhas
• Jalunga
• Juncalinho
• Preguiça
• Queimada
• Ribeira Brava (pop: 4,892)

[edit] Historical population

[edit] Persons

• Amandio Cabral (b. 1934), a Capeverdean singer who currently lives in California.

[edit] Other

Ribeira Brava has a schools or collegiates (colegio), a lyceums (middle school), a gymnasium (secondary schools), churches, a nearby airport located south between Ribeira Brava and Campo, a post office and a few squares (praças).

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