Tarrafal de São Nicolau is a cityCabo Verde, Statistical Yearbook 2015, Instituto Nacional de Estatística, p. 32 in the western part of the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde. With a population of 3,733 (2010 census), it is the most populous settlement of the island. It is the seat of the Tarrafal de São Nicolau Municipality, and the main port of the island. It is situated on the west coast, 9 km southwest of Ribeira Brava.
Subdivisions The city is divided into neighborhoods (bairros) including: Alto Fontaínhas Alto Saco Amarelo Pintado Campedrada Chã de Poça João Baptista Telha
History Before the 19th century, the roadstead of Tarrafal was little used because it was far from the main settlement of the island, Ribeira Brava.Inventário dos recursos turísticos do município do Tarrafal de São Nicolau , Direcção Geral do Turismo It was mentioned as Terrafal in the 1747 map by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin. It became an anchorage for whaling ships in the 19th century, and fish processing infrastructure was built, leading to further growth of the settlement. The settlement became a town in the early 1990s and a city in 2010.
Transport
The port of Tarrafal was constructed in 1991. It has 2 quays and a roll-on/roll-off ramp and a passenger terminal. The total length of the quays is 137 m, and the maximum depth is 7 m. There are ferry connections from Tarrafal to the islands of São Vicente (Mindelo) and Santiago (Praia).Cabo Verde Fast Ferry's website Porto Tarrafal is a member port of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).IAPH Member Ports
See also List of villages and settlements in Cape Verde
References