There is also Ponta da Sol in Cape Verde, see Ponta da Sol, Cape Verde

Map
Statistics
Region:	Madeira Islands
District:	Madeira Island
Population:	8,125 2001
Area:	185.50 km²
Density	43.8/km²
Altitude:	Lowest and Centre: Atlantic Ocean Highest: -
Number of parishes:	3

Ponta do Sol (pron. IPA /'põ.tɐ du sɔɫ/; Portuguese meaning the point of the sun) is a municipality in the west-central part of Madeira. Its population is 8,125 (according to the last census, in 2001). The municipality is one of the smallest on the island. Its area is 185.50 km². It is located SW of Santana, W of Machico, W of Funchal and ESE of Calheta. It is linked with a road linking Calheta and Funchal. Image File history File links Source: pt wikipedia From [1] File links The following pages link to this file: Ponta do Sol ... // Districts There are 18 Districts (distritos, singular - distrito) in mainland Portugal: note: Territorial division in Portugal is currently in flux, because of planned centralization. ... Location Motto of the autonomous region: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Portuguese: Of the islands, the most beautiful and free) Official language Portuguese Capital Funchal Other towns Porto Santo, Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Santana, Ribeira Brava, Caniço Area 797 km² Population  - Total (1991)  - Density... For other uses of the word, see Madeira (disambiguation) Madeira Islands location. ... Pronunciation refers to: the way a word or a language is usually spoken; the manner in which someone utters a word. ... IPA may refer to: The International Phonetic Alphabet or India Pale Ale ... Location Motto of the autonomous region: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Portuguese: Of the islands, the most beautiful and free) Official language Portuguese Capital Funchal Other towns Porto Santo, Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Santana, Ribeira Brava, Caniço Area 797 km² Population  - Total (1991)  - Density... Santana (pron. ... Machico (pron. ... Funchal (pron. ... Calheta (pron. ...

Historically, the main sources of industry were agriculture, fishing and trade. The harbour of Ponta do Sol, though somewhat small, was formerly a crucial commercial gate to that side of the island, fostering the implementation of businesses in the downtown area, outflow of goods from the countryside, and inflow of fishing and imported goods.

Nowadays, commercial activity is scattered throughout the municipality, with a strong decline downtown and a booming expansion elsewhere, particularly Canhas - a once essentially agricultural parish now converted into an important economic centre, while retaining its rural feel.

Agriculture is still a prime industry, while fishing has significantly declined. Civil construction and related industries have conquered a prominent position in the municipality, alongside the rest of the island.

More recently the service industry, particularly tourism, has conquered its place, with high-quality hotels in the countryside and downtown.

A few major scenic trekking routes of the island ("levada walks") pass through the countryside of Ponta do Sol, where the quality of the climate and of the tourist offer are particularly remarkable.

Ponta do Sol has a few schools, a lyceum / high school (till 12th grade), a central law court (serving Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Brava and Calheta), police stations, a gymnasium, several banks, churches, chapels post offices, a small shopping centre, a small port, a harbour with marina, beaches, coastal "promenades" and squares or plazas (praças). A few restaurants, supermarkets and minimarkets can also be found, though essentially in the countryside. In the United States and elsewhere, a town square is an area in the middle of a traditional town consisting of a park or plaza and surrounded by small shops. ...

As far as the accommodation offer is concerned, there are three hotels:

• Quinta do Alto de São João - 4.5 star country house hotel (manor hotel)
• Hotel Baía do Sol - 4 star city hotel
• Estalagem da Ponta do Sol - 4 star city hotel

The 3 parishes of Ponta do Sol include:

• Canhas
• Madalena do Mar
• Ponta do Sol

• Location:
  • Latitude: 32.667 (32°40') N
  • Longitude: 17.1 (17°6') W

Canhas is a parish in the district of Ponta do Sol in the Madeira Islands. ... Madalena do Mar is a parish in the district of Ponta do Sol in the Madeira Islands. ...

Settlements and geographic areas

Parish of Ponta do Sol

The parish has a population of 4,224 in 2001, its density is 149.8/km² and the area is 28.2 km². 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

External links

• Map and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest or Google
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver

• Photos from Ponta do Sol
• Coordinates: 32°40′0″N, 17°6′0″W

Porto Moniz is a town located in the northwestern part of the Madeira Islands. ... São Vicente (Portuguese meaning Saint Vincent) is a town located in the west northwestern part of the Madeira Islands. ... There are two parishes and two districts that have the name Calheta in two of the Portugals external territories/autonomous regions: Calheta, a parish and a district of the Azores Calheta, a parish and a district of Madeira Calheta de Nesquim, a parish in the district of Lajes do... Ribeira Brava (Portuguese meaning the brave riviera) is a parish in the west-central part of Madeira. ...

Municipalities of the Madeira Autonomous Region
Madeira Island: Calheta | Câmara de Lobos | Funchal | Machico | Ponta do Sol | Porto Moniz | Ribeira Brava | Santa Cruz | Santana | São Vicente | Porto Santo Island: Porto Santo | Desert Islands (Desertas) | Savage Islands (Selvagens)