Covancas
Covancas | |
|---|---|
 Skyline of Covancas with the beach and arcing peninsula | |
| Nickname(s): Cidade das Cores ("City of colours") | |
| Country | Maracao |
| Province | Demora |
| Town | Covancas Town |
| Population | |
| • Total | 71,820 |
Covancas (/ko'vænkæs/) is a seaside resort city located on the coast of Covancas Town in northern Maracao. It is the second most-visited tourist destination on the island behind the capital Porto Leste. Despite high amounts of tourists, it hosts a relatively small permanent populace, although this has begun to increase in recent years. As of 2018, it hosted a population of 71,820. Covancas is known for its long, arching beach, among the most recognisable in the world.
History
Covancas was first settled in 1611 as Lusitan settlers made their way to the north and eastern parts of the island. It quickly became a popular destination for upper-class members of Lusitan society to spend their summers and many summer houses were built along the coast of the settlement. Covancas was a generally desirable location for white Lusitans to relocate to due to its relative isolation from the slave plantations in the west and east. When slavery was abolished in the 1740s and 1750s, Covancas remained relatively unchanged as many of the native Nati populace migrated to cities such as Cabo Gaspar and Porto Leste. During military rule from Marirana, Covancas retained its notoriety as a popular retreat location, however a large military base was erected by Salvatore Renzi in 1823 to complement the already-established base at Rozem, and to establish a strong foothold on the island.
The coast of Covancas saw intermittent naval conflict during the War of the Arucian, but saw increasing amounts of guerrilla conflict on land throughout 1883 and 1884 as Maracan independence fighters began to push Mariranan forces to the north of the island. With most Mariranan forces retreating westwards to Cabo Gaspar for large-scale evacuations, Covancas itself was left relatively untouched by the conflict. Due to this, it attracted migration from all over Maracao and the Asterias, transforming itself into a diverse town that included many different cultures, inheriting its nickname Cidade des Cores, or the City of Colours, during this period. Adelmar I had his own summer retreat in Covancas during his reign, however it was transformed into a tourist attraction and hotel after his exile in 1933. After Liberação, Covancas was one of the main cities targeted for tourists to bolster the Maracan economy, a venture which has seen increasing success in the modern day. In 2018, an estimated 950,000 tourists visited Covancas.
Beach
Covancas beach is a 3.1 mile-long arching beach that spans the entire settled city. Surfing, beach sports (such as volleyball and football), and hang-gliding are among many of the popular activites available in Covancas throughout the year. Off the beach, Covancas is home to many tourist resorts, including some rated five-stars, that are located in a close vicinity to the beach itself. The beach faces north into the Arucian Sea, towards Marirana.
Transportation
Covancas is easily reachable by car and train from most major cities within the country, and it is well-connected to the country's motorway system. Travellers may also reach Covancas on many of the cruise ships that stop there from Asteria Superior and Asteria Inferior. In closer proximity, ferries running to and from Covancas are regular and travel to many Arucian countries and Maracan cities. Covancas also has a large airport, built in 1976, that hosts the second-most traffic in Maracao, behind Porto Leste International. Covancas airport has two runways and supports jumbo-jet aircraft, making it easily accessible from across the world. Covancas can also be reached by long-haul bus and coach routes, and the city itself is connected by smaller bus routes.
Residences and resorts
Many resorts and hotels exist in Covancas to cater to its large tourist demographic and influx all-year round. It is estimated that at any one time of the year, tourists make up one-third of residents in Covancas. Prestigious resorts are dotted across the main promenade that runs along the beach, including the Hotel de Adelmar, Adelmar I's converted palace on the beach, which is currently the most expensive hotel in Maracao based on per person per night costs, with the average room costing around $550 per night. Other larger resorts are located in the outskirts of the city, and many run their own bus routes to and from the beach relatively frequently. These resorts often attract families who look for cheaper accommodation.
For permanent residents of Covancas, most residential estates are located in the east and west wings of the city, within close proximity to the beach but located away from the main tourist areas of the city. Covancas' population rises to over 80,000 in the summer months as people with summer homes in the city fly in to live. Covancas is often commended for its eco-friendliness and is one of the cleanest and most well-kept cities in Maracao.