Funchal

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Funchal

Coat of arms	Flag

Map

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 (pronounced [fũˈʃaɫˤ]), population 100,526^[1], is the chief of the Madeira Island and the capital of Madeira Autonomous Region ,Portugal. Funchal is also the largest city on the islands and with its neighbouring boroughs(municipalaties) of Camara de Lobos,Santa Cruz,Machico and Ribeira Brava has over 150,000 inhabitants. It is the most populous portuguese City (Cidade in portuguese)outside the mainland Portugal(Portugal Continental).Funchal urban conurbation includes the cities of Funchal,Câmara de Lobos,Caniço and Santa Cruz,all on the southside of(Madeira). Funchal is located in a unique area on Madeira Island southside; the natural geological features form an "amphitheatre" surrounding the city, which begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers. Funchal is a cosmopolitan and very panoramic city with several parks.There are many hotels,including deluxe properties. Madeira's capital for more than five centuries, Funchal is said to have been named as such because of the abundance of fennel (funcho - in Portuguese) that was growing there.

Part of Funchal Municipality are the Savage Islands (Ilhas Selvagens), a nature reserve 160 km (100 mi) South of Funchal.

Funchal is bypassed by a superhighway to west and east whith accesses to Camara de Lobos,Ribeira Brava to the w. and Santa Cruz and Machico,to the E. Madeira is an international tourist destination for cruise ships and air planes.

[edit] Harbour of Funchal

The harbour of Funchal(Porto do Funchal) is the busiest in Madeira,and within Funchal city/municipio.Manny cruise ships,boats and yates use Funchal as a port of call.

[edit] Madeira International Airport

Madeira International Airport , often known as Funchal Airport /Madeira/Santa Catarina Airport(code:FNC),wich is located E.,in the municipality of Santa Cruz,Madeira.Several airlines serve FNC.

[edit] Parishes(Freguesias)

The municipality(Municipio) and city(Cidade) of Funchal coexiste as one.It`s urban area spawls from the harbour on the Atlantic to the mountan and hills above. There ten parishes/paroquias:

The most populated is Santo António.Sé is the one where the cathedral is located,in old city center.

[edit] Funchal Diocese

Funchal is the see of Bishop(Diocese de Funchal),wich includes all of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

[edit] Curiosity

The British cemetery (or "Protestant Cemetery") in Funchal is located by the Holy Trinity Church. It contains the remains of a number of famous people, including Paul Langerhans, the discover of the insulin-producing islets in the pancreas which bear his name. [1]

[edit] History

It was founded by João Gonçalves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city status by King Manuel I of Portugal in 1508. In the early 1400s, Álvaro 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.

[edit] Tourism

Nowadays Funchal is a major turistic atraction,with several hotels, an important port Porto do Funchal, and an International Airport Madeira / Funchal Airport (FNC),located in nearby municipality of Santa Cruz,(Madeira Island). Besides the city of Funchal other turistic destinations are:Ribeira Brava,Curral das Freiras,Porto Moniz,Santana,the Laurisilva forest,a UNESCO Natural Sight,in the center of Madeira island and the beaches in Porto Santo island.

[edit] Funchal

Funchal is the main hub and capital in autonomous region of Madeira, and it is the most prominent and largest Portuguese city outside the mainland Portugal (Portugal Continental. The city and municipality of Funchal coexists as one with aproximatly 100,000 inhabitants; however the Funchal urban conurbation,around the city Funchal and environs has about 150,000 residents in the cities of Greater Funchal: Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico and in the important town of Ribeira Brava.

[edit] Famous people

Cristiano Ronaldo, Football Player of Manchester United
José Vicente Barbosa (May 2, 1823 - November 3, 1907) Zoologist
Artur de Sousa Pinga, Legendary Portuguese football player
Alberto João Jardim, President of the Regional Government of Madeira
Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos, former Archbishop of Goa, India
Cabral do Nascimento, Poet
Pedro Camacho, Composer
João Fernandes Vieira, Military
Vânia Fernandes, Singer, Portugal's Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Contestant
Fátima Lopes, Fashion Designer
Mark Athias, Investigator and Reformer
Henrique Franco, Painter
Victor Costa, Composer
Ronalda, singer
Jorge Borges, Jazz Pianist
Bruno Santos, Jazz Guitarist
Eurico Martins, Famous Badolins Orchestra Conductor and Orchestrator
Moises Henriques, Australian Cricketer
Herberto Hélder, Poet
Lloyd Mathews, Military and Political leader

[edit] Gallery

Funchal at night	Madeira's Casino, Funchal	Mercado dos Lavradores	Cathedral Sé
Madeira Wine Lodge	City	Botanical garden	Botanical garden: Look at the harbour
Botanical garden: Look at the town	Ponte João Gomes	Funchal market