São Vicente, Madeira
Encyclopedia
São Vicente is a municipality along the north-west coast of the island of Madeira
.
The progressive growth of its population lead to dis-annexation of São Vicente from the Captaincy of Machico, and elevation to municipal seat by royal charter on 23 August 1774. At that time the parishes of Porto Moniz, Seixal, Arco de São Jorge and São Jorge where under the administration of the municipal authority.
In 1835, the restructuring of municipal government under the Liberal
reformer Mouzinho da Silveira lead to the creation of two new municipalities (Santana and Porto Moniz) along the northern coast of Madeira, which reduced the area of São Vicente. But, by 1867, under decree it reverted to its former dimensions. In 1898, with the re-establishment of the former municipalities São Vicente began to function within the current territorial area.
and east of Porto Moniz, linked by roadway to Santana and the western part of the island.
The municipality includes three civil parishes, that handle local government administration:
São Vicente has a few schools, a few lyceums, a gymnasium, banks, a post office, a small port, beaches and squares or plazas (praças).
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
.
History
The first human visitors to São Vicente appeared in the middle of the 15th century, colonizing the area much later then the settlers in the southern part of the island, owing to its fertility. This area of the island, due to its steep escarpments and deep river-valleys made early settlement difficult. The first settlers appeared in the areas of São Vicente and Ponta Delgada, respectively.The progressive growth of its population lead to dis-annexation of São Vicente from the Captaincy of Machico, and elevation to municipal seat by royal charter on 23 August 1774. At that time the parishes of Porto Moniz, Seixal, Arco de São Jorge and São Jorge where under the administration of the municipal authority.
In 1835, the restructuring of municipal government under the Liberal
Liberal Revolution of 1820
The Liberal Revolution of 1820 was a political revolution that erupted in 1820 and lasted until 1826. It was unchained via a military insurrection in the city of Porto, in northern Portugal, that quickly and peacefully spread to the rest of the country. From 1807 to 1811 Napoleonic French forces...
reformer Mouzinho da Silveira lead to the creation of two new municipalities (Santana and Porto Moniz) along the northern coast of Madeira, which reduced the area of São Vicente. But, by 1867, under decree it reverted to its former dimensions. In 1898, with the re-establishment of the former municipalities São Vicente began to function within the current territorial area.
Legend
A legend exists that the toponomic name of the region, developed from an incident where Saint Vincent of Saragossa appeared in a rocky cove near the mouth of the river. Consequently, the settlers constructed a small chapel to the saint, owing to the great devotion to his personage.Geography
São Vicente is located west of Santana and MachicoMachico
Machico is a city and municipality in the northeastern part of the island of Madeira, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The easternmost municipality on the island, it is also the third most populous area; its population was 21,747...
and east of Porto Moniz, linked by roadway to Santana and the western part of the island.
The municipality includes three civil parishes, that handle local government administration:
- Boaventura - physically the largest parish, but with the smallest population density, it is located in the northeast coast of the municipality, and ultimately the last to be settled;
- Ponta DelgadaPonta Delgada (São Vicente)Ponta Delgada is a parish in the district of São Vicente in the Madeira Islands. The population in 2001 is 1,325, its density is 150.6/km² and the area is 8.8 km². It is the smallest parish in population and density and the second in area. It is located east of São Vicente. The main industry...
- a small parish, nestled between two promontories; - São Vicente - the largest parish in population and density, home to the municipal seat; it had a population of approximately 3439 (in 2001) in an area of 17.80 km² (its density was approximtaely 193 inhabitants per km²).
São Vicente has a few schools, a few lyceums, a gymnasium, banks, a post office, a small port, beaches and squares or plazas (praças).
Economy
The main sources of industry are agriculture and fishing, although it has begun to promote itself as a rural tourism destination.Notable citizens
- Gregório Joaquim Diniz (c. 1863 - 20 December 1931) - doctor, Sub-Delegate for Health, and involved in the first hydro-electrical production facility on the island of Madeira, at Pé de Corrida.