 On 28 June 1985, Praia became member of UCCLA, the Union of Luso – Afro-Americo-Asiatic Capital Cities, an international organization.Geographically, Praia may be described as a set of plateaus and their surrounding valleys.These plateaus generally have the name "achada" (Achada de Santo António, Achada de São Filipe, Achada Eugénio Lima, Achada Grande, Achadinha, etc.