Vila Velha
Encyclopedia
Vila Velha (ˈvilɐ ˈvɛʎɐ, old town) is a coastal town in Espírito Santo
, Brazil
. It lies across from Vitória, the state capital. Its population was 396,323 (2005) and its area is 208.82 km².
Vila Velha forms part of the Greater Vitória
metropolitan area. To the north is Vitória, to the west Cariacica
and Viana
, to the south Guarapari
, and to the east the Atlantic Ocean
.
Notable corporations in Vila Velha include Garoto
, one of Brazil's largest chocolate manufacturers.
Vila Velha has been through several years of intense real estate development and several luxury buildings are now a common sight in all of its main beaches. Some critics argue that this practice can be considered excess urbanization of a previously low-profile area, despite the economic benefits.
The Bridge Mr Darcy Castelo de Mendonça, known as Third Bridge
(Portuguese: Terceira Ponte), is the second tallest bridge
in Brazil
, connecting and reducing the distance between the cities of Vila Velha and Vitória.
around 1550 in order to recruit new colonists, as there were not enough to sustain the colony. Upon his return, however, he discovered that there had been violent disputes between the colonists, slaves, and Indians, which had forced most inhabitants to flee to the island of Vitória. In response, Coutinho relocated the capital to Victoria. Afterward, Vila Velha remained a quiet village until quite recently; the 1828 census, for example, showed only 1,250 people in the village. Today, however, Vila Velha is the biggest city in the entire state of Espírito Santo, and has approximately 500,000 inhabitants.
The Police Battalion in charge of Vila Velha is the 4ºBPM-PMES.
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It lies across from Vitória, the state capital. Its population was 396,323 (2005) and its area is 208.82 km².
Vila Velha forms part of the Greater Vitória
Greater Vitória
Greater Vitória is an administrative entity in Brazil made up of the following municipalities: Cariacica, Fundão, Guarapari, Serra, Vitória, Vila Velha, and Viana according to IBGE and it has an area of 2,331.01 km², and 1,627,651 inhabitants ....
metropolitan area. To the north is Vitória, to the west Cariacica
Cariacica
Cariacica is a town and municipality in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. It is located 10 km northwest of Vitória, the capital of the state. It has a population of 343,100 and forms part of the Greater Vitória metropolitan area.-History:...
and Viana
Viana, Espírito Santo
Viana is a town and municipality in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. It is located 18km southwest of Vitória on the road to Minas Gerais. Its population was 59,458 and its area is 312 km². Though it is part of the Greater Vitória metropolitan area, it still maintains a much more laid-back...
, to the south Guarapari
Guarapari
Guarapari is a coastal town on the coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil. It is a part of Greater Vitoria. A municipal capital , it is located 47 km south of Vitória, of the state capital. Its population is 105,116 and its area is 592 km²....
, and to the east the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
Notable corporations in Vila Velha include Garoto
Garoto
Chocolates Garoto S.A. is a Brazilian chocolate manufacturer. Its headquarters are located in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. The company was founded in 1929 by German immigrant Heinrich Meyerfreund. First Garoto started as a small producer of chocolates, today, it is one of Brazil's largest...
, one of Brazil's largest chocolate manufacturers.
Vila Velha has been through several years of intense real estate development and several luxury buildings are now a common sight in all of its main beaches. Some critics argue that this practice can be considered excess urbanization of a previously low-profile area, despite the economic benefits.
The Bridge Mr Darcy Castelo de Mendonça, known as Third Bridge
Third Bridge
The Bridge Deputy Darcy Castelo of Mendonça, colloquially known as the Third Bridge , is the second tallest bridge in Brazil, connecting the cities of Vila Velha and Vitória in the state of Espirito Santo...
(Portuguese: Terceira Ponte), is the second tallest bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, connecting and reducing the distance between the cities of Vila Velha and Vitória.
History
Vila Velha is the oldest township in Espírito Santo, having been founded on the 23rd of May, 1535. First called Vila do Espírito Santo, it was founded by Vasco Fernandes Coutinho and initially served as the capital of Espírito Santo. Coutinho, owner of the Espírito Santo colony, was forced to return to PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
around 1550 in order to recruit new colonists, as there were not enough to sustain the colony. Upon his return, however, he discovered that there had been violent disputes between the colonists, slaves, and Indians, which had forced most inhabitants to flee to the island of Vitória. In response, Coutinho relocated the capital to Victoria. Afterward, Vila Velha remained a quiet village until quite recently; the 1828 census, for example, showed only 1,250 people in the village. Today, however, Vila Velha is the biggest city in the entire state of Espírito Santo, and has approximately 500,000 inhabitants.
The Police Battalion in charge of Vila Velha is the 4ºBPM-PMES.