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

UVA Northeast campus.

LaMarque is home to the University of Verona, Northeast, part of the University of Verona system. It enrolls 37,081 students as of the 2022-2023 school year and is located adjacent to the Mendes River. The Verona Commonwealth University, Northwest is also located in the city's district of L'Esplanade.

K-12 education

The city is served by the countywide Cara Independent School District, which is one of the largest school districts in the state. It enrolls 362,994 in its 381 schools. The city is part of CISD Division 1, which also serves the cities of Abhandale and Helena. In contrast to other districts in the state, Cara ISD is the result of the mergers of the local school districts into a single consolidated district.