Campanário, Madeira

Campanário
Civil Parish
The semi-pastoral landscape of Quinta Grande in the parish of Campanário
Official name: Freguesia de Campanário
Name origin: Portuguese for bell tower
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Madeira
Island Madeira
Municipality Ribeira Brava
Center Campanário
 - elevation 651 m (2,136 ft)
 - coordinates 32°41′7″N 17°1′23″W / 32.68528°N 17.02306°W / 32.68528; -17.02306Coordinates: 32°41′7″N 17°1′23″W / 32.68528°N 17.02306°W / 32.68528; -17.02306
Lowest point
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 11.74 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population 4,582 (2011)
Density 390 / km2 (1,010 / sq mi)
LAU Junta Freguesia
 - location Rua Comandante Camacho de Freitas
President Junta Joaquim Silva de Abreu (PPD-PSD)
President Assembleia José Roberto Barros dos Reis (PPD-PSD)
Timezone WET (UTC0)
 - summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1)
Postal Zone 9350-037
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 291 XXX XXX
Patron Saint São Brás
Location of the parish seat of Campanário in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, island of Madeira
Wikimedia Commons: Companário (Madeira)

Campanário is a civil parish in the municipality of Ribeira Brava in the Portuguese island of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 4,582,[1] in an area of 11.74 km².[2]

History

The name campanário originated from the early explorers to the island of Madeira, when they passed near Cabo Girão. Upon seeing a tall islet, near this cliff face, its unusual shape (which resembled a bell tower) resulted in the region's etymology: campanário, is Portuguese for bell tower.[3] Historically, Campanário was referred to as the celeiro das conquistas (Portuguese: Barn of the conquests), due to its importance in the cultivation of cereals that were exported to Northern Africa.[3] Since the 16th century, in addition to the cultivation of wheat and rye, the fields of Campanário were sources of chestnut, also for export.[3]

Although an exact is allusive, some documents refer to a settlement in Campanário by 1556 and a parish by 1698.[3] The local church was actually constructed in 1963, to substitute an older temple that was completed in 1683, in addition to a church in 1677.[3]

Until 1835, the parish was part of the municipality of Funchal, but was transferred to Câmara de Lobos between 1835 and 1914.[3]

Geography

The second most populous parish of Ribeira Brava, Campanário is situated along the southern coast of the municipality.

The parish consists of the following localities: Achada, Adêga, Calçada, Carmo, Chamorra, Chapim, Corujeira, Cova da Velha, Fajã dos Padres, Fajã Velha, Furnas e Amoreira, Igreja, Jardim, Lapa e Massapez, Lombo do Romão, Longueira, Lugar da Ribeira, Lugar da Serra, Palmeira, Pedra Nossa Senhora, Pedregal, Pinheiro, Porta Nova, Porto da Ribeira, Quebrada, Roda e Massapez, Rodes, São João, Serrado, Terreiros, Tranqual, Vigia and Voltas.

Economy

Of the active population, 35% are dedicated to agriculture: potato, vineyards, banana, oranges and tropical fruits, are the most profitable of these primary activities. In industry, construction, carpentry and sawmilling, automobile services, and quarrying, cement services and marble-cutting are typical jobs associated with this parish.[3]

References

Notes
  1. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. Eurostat
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Câmara Municipal, ed. (2010). "Freguesia do Campanário" (in Portuguese). Ribeira Brava (Madeira), Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Ribeira Brava. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
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