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Funchal
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Funchal , population 100,526, is the chief city of Madeira Island and is the capital of the Madeira Autonomous Region, Portugal. Funchal is also the largest city on the islands and with its neighbouring boroughs (municipalities) of Camara de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Machico and Ribeira Brava has over 150,000 inhabitants.
It is the most populous Portuguese city, outside mainland Portugal. The Funchal urban conurbation includes the cities of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço and Santa Cruz, all on the south side of Madeira.
Funchal is located in a unique area on the island; the natural geological features form an "amphitheatre" surrounding the city, which begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes.
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Funchal , population 100,526, is the chief city of Madeira Island and is the capital of the Madeira Autonomous Region, Portugal. Funchal is also the largest city on the islands and with its neighbouring boroughs (municipalities) of Camara de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Machico and Ribeira Brava has over 150,000 inhabitants.
It is the most populous Portuguese city, outside mainland Portugal. The Funchal urban conurbation includes the cities of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço and Santa Cruz, all on the south side of Madeira.
Funchal is located in a unique area on the island; the natural geological features form an "amphitheatre" surrounding the city, which begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers.
Funchal is a cosmopolitan and very panoramic city with several parks. There are many hotels, including deluxe properties.
Funchal has been Madeira's capital for more than five centuries, and is said to have been so named because of the abundance of fennel (funcho - in Portuguese) growing there.
The Funchal Municipality includes the Savage Islands (Ilhas Selvagens), a nature reserve 160 km (100 mi) South of Funchal.
Funchal is bypassed by a superhighway to west and east with access to Camara de Lobos,Ribeira Brava to the west and Santa Cruz and Machico, to the east.
Madeira is an international tourist destination for cruise ships and air planes.
Harbour of Funchal
The harbour of Funchal, is the busiest in Madeira, and lies within the Funchal city/municipality. Many cruise ships, boats and yachts use Funchal as a port of call.
Airport
Madeira Airport often known as Funchal Airport /Madeira/Santa Catarina Airport (code:FNC), which is located E., in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Madeira. Several airlines serve FNC.
Parishes(Freguesias)
The municipality (Municipio) and city (Cidade) of Funchal coexist as one. Its urban area spawls from the harbour on the Atlantic to the mountain and hills above. There are ten parishes/paroquias:
The most populated is Santo António. Sé is where the cathedral is located, in the old city center.
Funchal Diocese
Funchal is the see of the Bishop (Diocese de Funchal), which includes all of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Curiosity
The British cemetery (or "Protestant Cemetery") in Funchal is located by the Holy Trinity Church. It contains the remains of a number of famous people, including Paul Langerhans, the discoverer of the insulin-producing islets in the pancreas which bear his name.
The record for the largest firework display was achieved on Madeira on 31st December 2006.
History
Funchal was founded by João Gonçalves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city status by King Manuel I of Portugal in 1508.
In the early 1400s, Álvaro Fernandes was the commander of Funchal.
In the 16th century Funchal was important as a stopping place between the Indies and the New World, and was known as a wealthy place. It was also the port for Madeiran sugar and wine.
Tourism
Nowadays Funchal is a major tourist attraction, with several hotels, an important port, and an International Airport Funchal Airport (FNC),located in the nearby municipality of Santa Cruz.
Besides the city of Funchal other tourist destinations are: Ribeira Brava, Curral das Freiras, Porto Moniz, Santana, the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO Natural Site, in the center of Madeira island and the beaches in Porto Santo island.
Funchal
Funchal is the main hub and capital in the autonomous region of Madeira, and it is the most prominent and largest Portuguese city outside mainland Portugal.
The city and municipality of Funchal coexist as one with approximately 100,000 inhabitants; however the urban conurbation of Greater Funchal has about 150,000 residents in the cities of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico and the important town of Ribeira Brava.
Famous people
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Football Player of Manchester United
- José Vicente Barbosa (May 2, 1823 - November 3, 1907) Zoologist
- Artur de Sousa Pinga, Legendary Portuguese football player
- Alberto João Jardim, President of the Regional Government of Madeira
- Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos, former Archbishop of Goa, India
- Cabral do Nascimento, Poet
- Pedro Macedo Camacho, Composer
- João Fernandes Vieira, Military
- Vânia Fernandes, Singer, Portugal's Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Contestant
- Fátima Lopes, Fashion Designer
- Mark Athias, Investigator and Reformer
- Henrique Franco, Painter
- Victor Costa, Composer
- Jorge Borges, Jazz Pianist
- Bruno Santos, Jazz Guitarist
- Eurico Martins, Famous Badolins Orchestra Conductor and Orchestrator
- Moises Henriques, Australian Cricketer
- Herberto Hélder, Poet
- Lloyd Mathews, Military and Political leader
Twin Towns
Funchal is twinned with:
Honolulu in USA
Herzliya in Israel
Gallery
External links
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