[2] The municipality consists of one freguesia (civil parish), Nossa Senhora da Graça.

It was created in the 18th century, when the then town of Praia de Santa Maria received town status and became the new capital of the Portuguese dominion of Cape Verde.

Throughout history, its municipal territory has been successively reduced due to demographic increases.

By the end of the 19th century, the Municipality of Praia occupied the southern half of the island, while the northern half was the (larger than present) Municipality of Santa Catarina.

[6] The municipality is divided into the following localities for statistical reasons:[7] At the federal level, Praia belongs to the constituency of Santiago South.