Câmara de Lobos
Encyclopedia
Câmara de Lobos (ˈkɐmɐɾɐ ðɨ ˈloβuʃ; literally, is a municipality, parish and city in the south-central coast of the island of Madeira. A suburb of the, much larger, capital, it is nonetheless one of the larger population centres and extension of the economy of Funchal
.
, who is credited with the discovery of the Madeira Islands. When the explorer disembarked in this area (1419), he observed a thin cliff that extended into the ocean, and another cliff face that formed an amphitheatre-like harbour that could shelter ships from Atlantic storms. There Zarco and his men also found a large colony of marine animals that would become the reason for naming this area Câmara de Lobos..
The name, lobos, is a Portuguese derivation for sea-lions , which were the animals discovered by Zarco and his men in the sheltered bay. Because of the large colony of these animals, the area was baptised câmara dos lobos. This was a pejorative term, since câmara is the Portuguese
word for municipal chamber (sometimes erroneously referred to as the city hall or city council), and the sailors named the area, literally as, the Municipal chamber of [the place where there are] Sea-Lions. Today, the species of monk seals are rare, being an animal common to the Mediterranean, but today confined to a small colony on the Desertas Islands
.
The municipality was created by ministerial decree on 25 May 1835, and invested in its executive on the 4 October 1835. Initially, this administrative division included the parishes of Câmara de Lobos, Curral das Freiras
, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Campanário
, all territorial parts of the Funchal. With many alterations, the newly constituted municipality of Câmara de Lobos operated with those parishes as its core, until Quinta Grande
was constituted from sites in the parishes of Campanário and Câmara de Lobos, but maintaining its total area. On 6 May 1914, Campanário is deannexed to the newly created municipality of Ribeira Brava, and on 5 July 1996, the parish of Jardim da Serra
was constituted from the higher altitude localities of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.
On 15 September 1994, the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos was elevated to the status of town, while two years later, on 3 August 1996, the village of Câmara de Lobos attained the status of city.
with the largest (45%) contribution of youth under 25 years. Located within the metropolitan zone of Funchal
, it is limited to the east by Funchal (through the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos); to the west by the municipality of Ribeira Brava
and the steep cliffs of Cabo Girão
(one of the highest cliffs in Europe: 580 meter elevation); and north by the municipalities of Santana and São Vicente (and the mountains of Pico de Arieiro); while fronting the Atlantic Ocean to the south (except an area in the southwest near Quinta Grande (Fajã dos Padres) whose coast is part of the neighbouring parish of Campanário
in Ribeira Brava
The decree of 1955 (No.40.221/5 July 1955) defines these limits more explicitly. but allows for interpretations:
The municipality of Câmara de Lobos, in accord with the 2001 census, has a population of 30,814, while its resident population is 31,476 inhabitants (47% to 53%, male to female composition). While 22.7% are seniors (the lowest percentage in Maderia), its active population represents 10,986 of the population.
There are five parishes that constitute the municipality of Câmara de Lobos:
with: Garachico
, Canary Islands
, Spain
(1997) Forio
, Island of Ischia
, Italy
(2008)
, an important industry on the island, continues to drive the cultivation of local vineyards.
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
.
History
The location of the modern town is believed to be the original landing point for the Portuguese discoverer João Gonçalves ZarcoJoão Gonçalves Zarco
João Gonçalves Zarco was a Portuguese explorer who established settlements and recognition of the Madeira Islands, and was appointed first captain of Funchal by Henry the Navigator.-Life:...
, who is credited with the discovery of the Madeira Islands. When the explorer disembarked in this area (1419), he observed a thin cliff that extended into the ocean, and another cliff face that formed an amphitheatre-like harbour that could shelter ships from Atlantic storms. There Zarco and his men also found a large colony of marine animals that would become the reason for naming this area Câmara de Lobos..
The name, lobos, is a Portuguese derivation for sea-lions , which were the animals discovered by Zarco and his men in the sheltered bay. Because of the large colony of these animals, the area was baptised câmara dos lobos. This was a pejorative term, since câmara is the Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
word for municipal chamber (sometimes erroneously referred to as the city hall or city council), and the sailors named the area, literally as, the Municipal chamber of [the place where there are] Sea-Lions. Today, the species of monk seals are rare, being an animal common to the Mediterranean, but today confined to a small colony on the Desertas Islands
Desertas Islands
The Desertas Islands are a small Portuguese archipelago, located about 25 km to the southeast of Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern tip of the island of Madeira, the whole chain located roughly between Madeira and the Canary Islands.-Geography:...
.
The municipality was created by ministerial decree on 25 May 1835, and invested in its executive on the 4 October 1835. Initially, this administrative division included the parishes of Câmara de Lobos, Curral das Freiras
Curral das Freiras
Curral das Freiras , is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. In 2001 the popylation was just over 1673 residents, in an area that covers 25.07 km² of the interior mountain range of the island, in the shadow of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo...
, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Campanário
Campanário
-Places:*Campanario, a city in the municipality of Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas.*Proyecto Campanario, a private biological station and wildlife reserve in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, adjacent to Corcovado National Park....
, all territorial parts of the Funchal. With many alterations, the newly constituted municipality of Câmara de Lobos operated with those parishes as its core, until Quinta Grande
Quinta Grande
Quinta Grande, created on 24 July 1848, is one of the five civil parishes that constitute the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the archipelago of Madeira, with a population of 2156 inhabitants , extended across an area of 4.14 km²...
was constituted from sites in the parishes of Campanário and Câmara de Lobos, but maintaining its total area. On 6 May 1914, Campanário is deannexed to the newly created municipality of Ribeira Brava, and on 5 July 1996, the parish of Jardim da Serra
Jardim da Serra
Jardim da Serra is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the archipelago of Madeira. In 2001, its population was just over 3,707 inhabitants, covering an area of 7.3km² Jardim da Serra (Portuguese meaning "mountain garden") is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de...
was constituted from the higher altitude localities of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.
On 15 September 1994, the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos was elevated to the status of town, while two years later, on 3 August 1996, the village of Câmara de Lobos attained the status of city.
Geography
Câmara de Lobos is the second largest city by population in MadeiraMadeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
with the largest (45%) contribution of youth under 25 years. Located within the metropolitan zone of Funchal
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
, it is limited to the east by Funchal (through the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos); to the west by the municipality of Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava may refer to:* Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde, a municipality on the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde* Ribeira Brava, Madeira Islands, a municipality on the island of Madeira, Portugal...
and the steep cliffs of Cabo Girão
Cabo Girão
Cabo Girão is a lofty sea cliff located along the southern coast of the island of Madeira, in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. Cabo Girão is a popular lookout point, and starting point for hikers, as well as the location of the Encosta Cabo Girão a complex of 120 apartments located on the...
(one of the highest cliffs in Europe: 580 meter elevation); and north by the municipalities of Santana and São Vicente (and the mountains of Pico de Arieiro); while fronting the Atlantic Ocean to the south (except an area in the southwest near Quinta Grande (Fajã dos Padres) whose coast is part of the neighbouring parish of Campanário
Campanário
-Places:*Campanario, a city in the municipality of Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas.*Proyecto Campanario, a private biological station and wildlife reserve in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, adjacent to Corcovado National Park....
in Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava
Ribeira Brava may refer to:* Ribeira Brava, Cape Verde, a municipality on the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde* Ribeira Brava, Madeira Islands, a municipality on the island of Madeira, Portugal...
The decree of 1955 (No.40.221/5 July 1955) defines these limits more explicitly. but allows for interpretations:
- "In the north, from Pico do Arieiro, the municipal limit follows the line from the heights defined by Pedra Rija, Pico do Cidrão, Pico do Gato, Pico das Torres, Pico da Cágada, Pico Ruivo de Santana, Pico da Lapa da Cadela, Pico do Coelho, Pico das Eirinhas, Pico da Laje, Pico das Torrinhas, Pico Casado and Pico do Jorge. On the west, follow Pico do Jorge along a line in the altitudes specified by the Pico Arranha-Mata, Pico do Cerco, Pico Grande, Pico do Serradinho, Boca do Paço de Aires, Boca dos Corgos, Alto dos Aviceiros, Lombo do Covão, or Estrebaria, Pico do Trevo, Eira das Moças and Pico da Cruz, where they follow the road of Achada in Campanário until Vera Cruz, continuing through the escarpment of Partilha until an escarpment overlooing the sea, conforming to demarkations signed by cadastral sevices. To the south, the municipality is limited by the foremetioned escarpment until the mouth of the Ribeira da Quinta Grande and then by the coast line until the ravine in Socorridos, but not including the Fajã dos Padres. The east corresponds to the western limit of the municipality of Funchal, or specifically the line that exits Pico do Serrado and follows Lombo da Partilha until the confluence of the ravine of Eiroses and Socorridos, which serves as the municipalities limit until the ocean."
Human geography
The municipality of Câmara de Lobos, in accord with the 2001 census, has a population of 30,814, while its resident population is 31,476 inhabitants (47% to 53%, male to female composition). While 22.7% are seniors (the lowest percentage in Maderia), its active population represents 10,986 of the population.
There are five parishes that constitute the municipality of Câmara de Lobos:
- Câmara de Lobos - The central urbanized area of Lobos (an area of 7.62 km²) is primarily residential and commercial: the parish population is approximately 16,842 inhabitants (about 48%) of the entire municipality, but second-most dense freguesiaFreguesiaFreguesia is the Portuguese term for a secondary local administrative unit in Portugal and some of its former colonies, and a former secondary local administrative unit in Macau, roughly equivalent to an administrative parish. A freguesia is a subdivision of a concelho, the Portuguese synonym term...
(civil parish) on the island. This core parish, is boxed in by FunchalFunchalFunchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
(to the east), Quinta GrandeQuinta GrandeQuinta Grande, created on 24 July 1848, is one of the five civil parishes that constitute the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the archipelago of Madeira, with a population of 2156 inhabitants , extended across an area of 4.14 km²...
(in the west) and Estreito de Câmara de Lobos (to the north). Many of these areas are highly development housing units, constructed during the late 20th Century, during the extensive growth in tourism and financial services on the island. Farmlands, which located in northern tracts have since given way to residential and commercial businesses. - Curral das FreirasCurral das FreirasCurral das Freiras , is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. In 2001 the popylation was just over 1673 residents, in an area that covers 25.07 km² of the interior mountain range of the island, in the shadow of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo...
- Estreito de Câmara de Lobos
- Jardim da SerraJardim da SerraJardim da Serra is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the archipelago of Madeira. In 2001, its population was just over 3,707 inhabitants, covering an area of 7.3km² Jardim da Serra (Portuguese meaning "mountain garden") is a civil parish in the municipality of Câmara de...
- Quinta GrandeQuinta GrandeQuinta Grande, created on 24 July 1848, is one of the five civil parishes that constitute the municipality of Câmara de Lobos in the archipelago of Madeira, with a population of 2156 inhabitants , extended across an area of 4.14 km²...
Twin towns — Sister cities
Câmara de Lobos is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Garachico
Garachico
Garachico is a municipality and town on the northern coast of Tenerife, It is located on the TF42 Road about 60km West of the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife , 50km from Tenerife North Airport and 67 km from Tenerife South Airport. The town itself nestles below a 500m+ cliff...
, Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(1997) Forio
Forio
Forio is a town and comune of c. 17,000 inhabitants in the province in Naples, Italy, situated on the island of Ischia....
, Island of Ischia
Ischia
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, about 30 km from the city of Naples. It is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands. Roughly trapezoidal in shape, it measures around 10 km east to west and 7 km north to south and has...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
(2008)
Economy
Although agriculture and fishing are still considered the primary sources of income, the area has grown as an extension of the tourism industry in the neighboring parishes. Its local development prospects are tied to the growing tourist market, while for six centuries of history it has been associated with the fishing and agriculture, in particular bananas and other fruits common to the island. Further, Madeira WineMadeira wine
Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands. Some wines produced in small quantities in California and Texas are also referred to as "Madeira", or "Madera", although those wines do not conform to the EU PDO regulations...
, an important industry on the island, continues to drive the cultivation of local vineyards.