Funchal
2007 Concise Encyclopedia. Related subjects: European Geography
| Coat of arms | Flag |
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| Map | |
| Map not yet available |
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| Statistics | |
| Region: | Madeira Islands |
| District: | Madeira Island |
| Population: | 100,847 |
| Area: | 75.7 km² |
| Density | 1,332/km² |
| Altitude: | Lowest and Centre: Atlantic Ocean Highest: Pico do Arieiro South Face 1,818 m (northwest) |
| Number of parishes: | 10 |
| Address of the city administration: |
Câmara Municipal de Funchal Paços do Concelho Funchal 9000 |
| Mayor: | Miguel Filipe Machado de Albuquerque |
| Website: | www.cm-funchal.pt |
Funchal ( pron. IPA [fũ'ʃaɫ]), population approximately 140,000, is the capital of the Madeira Islands of Portugal. Funchal is also the largest city on the islands and is ranked after Câmara de Lobos and Machico in area. It was founded by João Gonçalves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city by King Manuel I in 1508.
The city is named after fennel, ('funcho' in Portuguese), which grows in abundance on the island. Funchal is located 21 km south of Faial, about 25 km S of Santana, 17 km SW of Machico, about 7 km E of Câmara de Lobos and about 37 km ESE of Calheta. Part of Funchal Municipality is Ilhas Selvagens ( Savage Islands ), one nature reserve 160 km (100 mi) South of Funchal.
Funchal has an abundant amount of trees. However, due to extreme deforestation, the amount of trees in Funchal has decreased dramatically.
The mango and the papaya are two delicious fruits one can come across in the exotic Portuguese city of Funchal. The mangos and papayas are similar to the ones found in Estreito de Camara dos Lobos.
Funchal is bypassed by Madeira's only superhighway to the north east and northwest which accesses to Santa Cruz, the Madeira airport and Câmara de Lobos.
Location:
- Latitude: 32.633 (32°38') N
- Longitude: 16.9 (16°54') W
Parishes
- Imaculado Coração de Maria
- Monte
- Santa Luzia
- Santa Maria Maior
- Santo António
- São Gonçalo
- São Martinho
- São Pedro
- São Roque
- Sé
There are 10 parishes in Funchal region. The most populated is Santo António.
History
In the early 1400s, Alvaro 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.
Some Navy ships including USS Arkansas, USS Chicago, USS John Hancock, USS Salem, CSS Shenandoah, USS Shenandoah, USS Yorktown visited the port.
Funchal hosted the Funchal Island Tournament in 1981 with Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama of the Brazilian League.
 Mercado dos Lavradores |
 Kathedrale Sé |
 Madeira Wine Lodge |
 Casino |
Postage stamps
Between 1892 and 1905, Portugal issued postage stamps inscribed "Funchal", but then reverted to the stamps of Madeira.
Persons
- José Vicente Barbosa ( May 2, 1823 - November 3, 1907) Zoologist
- Artur de Sousa Pinga, Legendary Portuguese football player
- Alberto João Jardim, Leader of regional government of Madeira
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Football Player of Manchester United
- Cabral do Nascimento, Poet
- João Fernandes Vieira, Military
- Fátima Lopes, Fashion Designer
- Mark Athias, Investigator and Reformer
- Henrique Franco, Painter