LaMarque, Verona

LaMarque
Charter city
Cidade da LaMarque
LaMarque skyline
Flag Logo
Motto:  Semper Vigens
Country	Cartadania
State	Verona
County	Cara
Chartered	1738
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Body	City Council
• Mayor	Elvino Susco (SDP)
Population  (2030)
• Total	491,613
Demonym	Marquense
Area code	272/609
Website	LaMarque Government Website

LaMarque, officially the City of LaMarque (Cartadanian: Cidade da LaMarque), is a city located in the Commonwealth of Verona, southeast of the Mendes River and the federal capital, Alahuela. It serves as the county seat of Cara County and is the largest city within the county. As of 2030, LaMarque has a population of approximately 491,613, making it the 11th-largest city in Verona. LaMarque is a significant urban center within the Greater Alahuela metropolitan area, the third-largest city in the region after Alahuela and Saint Tomás, but is the administrative seat of the most populous county in the metro area, exceeding both Alahuela and Rieti County in population.

The city is best known as the location of Fortaleza, the headquarters of the Cartadanian Department of Defense, as well as several key federal agencies, including the Cartadanian Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO). These institutions have made LaMarque an important hub for national defense and federal government operations, contributing to its prominence within the state and the nation. In addition to its governmental and administrative influence, LaMarque is integrated into the economic and cultural network of the Greater Alahuela region, particularly as a result of the lower costs associated with Verona compared to Alahuela and Alexandria. Its strategic location near the Mendes River and its proximity to Alahuela have resulted in its connectivity and economic integration with the majority of the region.

Geography

Climate

LaMarque has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: Aw/As), characterized by consistently high temperatures and relative humidity throughout the year, with distinct wet and dry seasons. Its location along the Odoneru Ocean and Urlazian Sea provides steady maritime winds that help moderate the tropical heat, ensuring relatively comfortable conditions despite the persistently warm climate. Temperatures in LaMarque remain stable throughout the year, with little seasonal variation. The warmest month, December, averages a high of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) and a low of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F), while annual temperatures average around 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). The city’s coastal position and proximity to major water bodies limit temperature extremes, creating a climate that is predictable and relatively uniform.

LaMarque experiences a distinct rainy season lasting from January to July, during which time it receives the majority of its 1,584.0 millimeters (62.36 in) of annual rainfall. Precipitation is especially heavy in March and April, when the city’s climate is heavily influenced by seasonal atmospheric systems and moisture-laden winds from the nearby sea. The high rainfall during this period leads to elevated relative humidity, which averages 77.5% annually but peaks during the wettest months, contributing to the lush vegetation and agricultural productivity in the surrounding region. The dry season extends from August to December, during which rainfall is significantly reduced, and some months may experience minimal precipitation. This seasonality influences the city’s natural environment, agriculture, and urban planning, with the pronounced wet and dry periods shaping water resource management and infrastructure design. Despite the reduction in rainfall, the influence of the ocean helps maintain moderate humidity levels and prevents arid conditions from developing.

Education

P-12 education

Tareja E. Arruda High School Main Entrance

LaMarque is served by the Cara Independent School District (CISD), a countywide public school system and one of the largest school districts in the Commonwealth. CISD manages a network of 381 schools that collectively enroll approximately 362,994 students, making it a significant provider of primary and secondary education in the region, by far the largest single school district in the entire metropolitan area. The district operates within a divisional framework, with LaMarque included in CISD Division 1. CISD Division 1 encompasses LaMarque and extends to nearby cities, including Curilina, Emery, Oturedo, Pocana, Rozana, Saraquín, Tacedes, Taió, and Trilena, as well as the census-designated places of Conicó, Eudente, Maldono, and Tarrani. While Division 1 is usually though of as the urban division of CISD, its expansive boundary pulls students from across urban, suburban, and rural communities within the county's heart.

Unlike some other countywide districts in the state, which have formed through the division of larger districts, Cara ISD was established through the consolidation of multiple smaller, local school districts. This organizational structure facilitates centralized governance and resource allocation, allowing the district to standardize educational programs and services across its wide geographical area. The consolidation model also supports the implementation of district-wide initiatives, ensuring equitable access to academic resources, extracurricular programs, and specialized education services for all students.

Higher education

LaMarque is a regional hub for higher education, home to several prominent universities and institutions. Among these is the University of Verona, Northern (UVAN), a campus within the University of Verona system. Located near the Mendes River in the University City district, the university enrolled 44,081 students during the 2030–2031 academic year. As part of one of Cartadania’s largest public university systems, the institution offers a broad array of programs across various disciplines and serves as a key center for education and research in the region.

LaMarque is also home to Verona Commonwealth University, Northwest (VCUN), located in the L’Esplanade district near the edge of University City. This institution enrolled 42,005 students during the same academic year and is known for its emphasis on professional and liberal arts education. It is the largest institution in the Verona Commonwealth University system, which is in turn the largest university system in Cartadania with just under a million students, while VCU Northwest is the seventh-largest university in Verona.

Nearby, the Northwestern Institute of Technology (NWIT) is a specialized institution focused on STEM fields and is part of the Verona Institute of Technology system. NWIT enrolled 24,536 students during the 2030–2031 academic year, offering programs in engineering, applied sciences, and emerging technologies. Its research contributions and industry partnerships have established it as a leader in technological innovation within the region, and through partnerships with its sister institution, the Verona Institute of Technology in the Palm Coast, it has also contributed to the Research Triangle's economy in Victoria County.

Additionally, LaMarque benefits from proximity to several other notable institutions. The Erudite University of Alahuela operates a satellite campus in Cara County, just outside LaMarque in the city of Emery, providing expanded educational opportunities to the metropolitan area. Similarly, Solma University, a private four-year institution located in the city of Solma, 59.3 kilometers (36.8 mi) southwest of LaMarque, serves as another nearby option for higher education, offering programs in a range of disciplines.

• 
  University of Verona, Northern
• 
  Verona Commonwealth University, Northwest
• 
  Northwestern Institute of Technology
• 
  Solma University