Santana, Madeira

Santana
Municipality (Concelho)
The village of Arco de São Jorge in an amphitheatre-shapped valley along the northern coast of Santana municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Official name: Concelho da Calheta da Madeira
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Madeira
Island Madeira
Civil Parishes Arco de São Jorge, Faial, Ilha, Santana, São Jorge, São Roque do Faial
Center Santana
 - elevation 509 m (1,670 ft)
 - coordinates 32°47′33″N 16°52′33″W / 32.79250°N 16.87583°W / 32.79250; -16.87583Coordinates: 32°47′33″N 16°52′33″W / 32.79250°N 16.87583°W / 32.79250; -16.87583
Highest point Pico Ruivo
 - elevation 1,862 m (6,109 ft)
 - coordinates 32°45′31″N 16°56′32″W / 32.75861°N 16.94222°W / 32.75861; -16.94222
Lowest point Sea level
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 95.56 km2 (37 sq mi)
Population 7,719 (2011)
Density 81 / km2 (210 / sq mi)
Settlement 25 May 1835
 - City 6 July 2000
LAU Câmara Municipal
 - location Sítio do Serrado
President António Joaquim Caíres Batista Rosa
Timezone WET (UTC0)
 - summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1)
Postal Zone 9230-116
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 291 XXX-XXXX
Demonym Santanense
Patron Saint Santa Ana
Municipal Holidays 24 June
Administrative location of Santana in the archipelago of Madeira
Wikimedia Commons: Santana (Madeira)
Website: http://cm-santana.com

Santana (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃ˈtɐnɐ]; from Portuguese Santa Ana, meaning Saint Anne) is a municipality along the northern coast of the island of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 7,719,[1] in an area of 95.56 km².[2]

Geography

Human geography

An example of the traditional Madeirense home found in the municipality of Santana

Santana includes six parishes, within a rugged mountainous environment, most occupying river-valleys:

Santana parish has the largest number residents, while Arco de São Jorge is both the smallest, physically, and has the lowest number of residents,[3] while Faial is the largest parish.

Santana is known for the traditional homes constructed with sloping triangular rooftops, and protected with straw. These were mainly rural homes, used by local farmers, during the settlement of the island, with white-paintd walls, red doors and windows with blue trim. Most of the surviving buildings are tourist attractions, and maintained (for example, the straw roofs are replace every four to five years).

Economy

A tourist-themed park was constructed to exhibit examples of the island's early history and culture; the Madeira Theme Park is an ample area, on 7 acres (28,000 m2) of land, where visitors re-discover the cultures of Madeira and Porto Santo. This includes exhibits on the island's history, artefacts used in daily life and cultural presentations, in a scenic environment.

Notable citizens

References

  1. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. Eurostat
  3. Santana and Arco de São Jorge are also located in the higher altitudes in the municipality.
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