Monday, January 1, 2024

PONTA DO SOL MUNICIPALITY AND PARISHES - WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO VISIT

  


PONTA DO SOL
(MUNICIPALITY)
32°40′50″N 17°6′15″W

Ponta do Sol  is a municipality in the southwestern coast of the island of Madeira, in the archipelago of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 8,862, in an area of 46.19 km2.

History

The settlement of Ponta do Sol began shortly after the discovery of the island of Madeira, around 1420.

Geography

Ponta do Sol is located between Ribeira-Brava and Calheta, on the southwest coast of Madeira, linked to Funchal (the capital) and surrounding communities by the main regional road.

The municipality is crossed by a few pedestrian hiking trails, that usually follow the levadas (English: aqueducts) carrying water from the mountains.

Human geography

Administratively, the municipal government is located in the civil parish (freguesia) of Ponta do Sol, while local government is handled through the three civil parishes:

Canhas; Madalena do Mar; Ponta do Sol.

In the mid-twentieth century, many residents of Ponta do Sol and the surrounding communities on Madeira immigrated to the Netherlands Antilles, especially the island of Curacao. This migration pattern began as both a reaction to the difficult economic conditions faced by many local residents of Ponta do Sol at the time and a response to the development of a Shell oil refinery on Curacao, which attracted immigrants from different parts of the Americas and further afield, including Portugal. While migrants from other areas of Portugal did move to the Netherlands Antilles as well, Madeirans made up the overwhelming majority of the broader group of Portuguese migrants to this island group in the Caribbean in the mid-twentieth century. Many descendants of immigrants from Madeira and Ponta do Sol in particular continue to live in Curacao today.

Economy

Historically, the main sources of income in this region has been agriculture, fishing and trade. Ponta do Sol's main harbour, although small, was a crucial commercial gateway to the western part of the island. These importation and exportation businesses fostered the creation of new activities in what became the central part of the community and created a flow of goods into the hinterland (such as local and imported goods).

Today, commercial activity is scattered throughout the municipality, while the port area of Ponta do Sol has declined in importance. In its place, the economy of the municipality has been dispersed to other parishes, particularly Canhas, which were essentially agricultural parishes but have developed into important economic nodes, while still retaining its rural landscape. While agriculture remains the primary activity in the interior, and the fisheries industry has declined significantly, construction and industrial enterprises have conquered a prominent role in the municipality. The service industry, particularly tourism, has carved out a portion of the income stream, with high-quality hotels or residential inns located in the countryside and urban centers.

Climate and relief

Ponta do Sol has a subtropical climate, according to Köppen-Geiger, with an average temperature during the year of 19.4 °C, being considered the municipality where the sun shines for the greatest number of hours.

As for the relief, it presents a very rugged morphology, with some hills with altitudes above 1000 m, such as Fonte do Juncal (1595 m) and Loiral (1415 m), and lower mountain ranges, such as Salões, with 479 m. There is one of the highest points on the island of Madeira, Paul da Serra, which is the only plateau on the island, with an area of ​​24 km² and an altitude of 1500 m.

As water resources, the Ponta do Sol and Santiago streams are worth highlighting.






What to visit in Ponta do Sol



Sea Lovers

Ponta do Sol Beach
32.679754, -17.105044

With its excellent location and a series of support infrastructures, Ponta do Sol Beach is one of the most appreciated by bathers on Madeira's west coast. It also has a seductive landscape and excellent water quality. 

This beach resort is located in a small cove in the town of Ponta do Sol. This is a small pebble beach harmoniously integrated between the cliffs of the valley that protects it. It has a total length of about 160 meters. 

The Ponta do Sol Beach offers bathers a full range of facilities. It has support infrastructures such as changing rooms and sanitary facilities, duly adapted for people with reduced mobility, a bar area, an area dedicated to various games and even a summer library. Besides the famous weather conditions of this region, Ponta do Sol Beach is also much appreciated for its clear and mild waters. 

At the end of the day, the sunset reflected on the sea creates an even more picturesque setting. Finally, it is worth mentioning that visitors can find parking spaces in the vicinity.

Details
The Ponta do Sol Beach has multiple support infrastructures for bathers. Located in a small cove in the town of Ponta do Sol, it is bathed by waters with an excellent quality.


Madalena do Mar Beach
32.702792, -17.137465

With a unique environment, marked by the imposing presence of rocky cliffs, the Madalena do Mar Beach is one of the most sought after by bathers in this region during the bathing season. 

If you want to enjoy a sunny day by the sea, in a scenery of great natural beauty, this is an option to consider on the west coast of the island of Madeira. 

Located in Banda de Além, in the parish of Madalena do Mar, this bathing resort is a combination of pebbles and black sand. It is bathed by crystal-clear waters with mild temperatures all year round, and low swell. 

In addition, Madalena do Mar Beach offers bathers several facilities. It has facilities such as a restaurant and bar area with a terrace, sanitary facilities, changing rooms, a sunbathing area and a small children's playground. 

During the bathing season, it is supervised by lifeguards. Being located in a promenade, ideal to enjoy a revitalizing walk by the sea, the Madalena do Mar Beach can be accessed by means of two ramps. There is also a car park nearby.

Details
The Madalena do Mar Beach, in Banda de Além, is a combination of pebbles and black sand. Bathed by warm waters, it offers various support services.


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Municipality 


LEVADA DO MOINHO;
LEVADA NOVA;
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MADALENA DO MAR;
CANHAS;

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