Santa Maria Maior (Funchal)

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Santa Maria Maior (Portuguese meaning Saint Mary) is a parish in the eastern part of the district and a suburb of Funchal in the Madeira Islands. The population in 2001 is 13,970, its density is 2,862.7/km² and the area is 4.88 km². It is located about 3 km east of downtown Funchal, about 4.5 km SW of Camacha and 3 km W of Caniço. The main industry are businesses. It is connected with a road linking Funchal and Machico. The road linking to Porto da Cruz is to the north. The Atlantic Ocean is to the south. The mountains are to the northeast. The forests are to the northeast and partly in the western part. The area used to be covered with farmlands to the western and the central part. As urban housing came in the mid-20th century, it replaced most of the area. The municipality of Santa Cruz lies to the east with the parish of Caniço. The embankment which elevates at about 260 m lies to the east.

[edit] Nearest parishes

• Camacha, northeast
• Caniço, east
• São Gonçalo

[edit] Geography

• Location:
  • Latitude: 32.633 (32°38') N
  • Longitude: 16.8833 (16°50') W
• Altitude:
  • Lowest and Centre: Atlantic Ocean
  • Highest: about 100 m

Santa Maria Maior has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church and a square (praça).

[edit] External links

• Map and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest. MapPoint or Google
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver
• Coordinates: 32°38′0″N, 16°50′0″W