Porto Santo (population, surface area and geographical position of the island) 1Population of Porto Santo
Porto Santo (population, surface area and geographical position of the island)
Original title: Porto Santo (Populaçâo, Superficie e Situaçâo Geográfica da ilha do)
Statistical entry on the island of Porto Santo, giving its population from 1529 to 1940, the differing estimates of its surface area, and its geographical coordinates.
Abroad
1Population of Porto Santo
Gaspar Frutuoso states that in 1590 there were some 400 households (fogos, literally 'hearths') on the island of Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’), which would mean about 1,600 inhabitants. On this statement of Frutuoso’s, Dr Alvaro de Azevedo remarks: ‘although there seems to be some exaggeration in this, since the Annais da Ilha do Porto Santo record that in 1850 the population was 1799 persons, that is, some 450 households, and the census taken in 1864 records 363 households with 1425 inhabitants, we believe Frutuoso’s statement to be accurate; the island of Porto Santo prospered only in the first hundred and fifty years after its discovery.’ The following figures for its population have been gathered from various sources:
Years Inhabitants
| 1529 | 820 |
|---|---|
| 1590 | 1,600 |
| 1789 | 1,870 |
| 1791 | 1,094 |
| 1835 | 1,618 |
| 1839 | 1,614 |
| 1843 | 1,669 |
| 1849 | 1,810 |
| 1850 | 1,886 |
| 1864 | 1,425 |
| 1871 | 1,664 |
| 1878 | 1,748 |
| 1890 | 1,952 |
| 1900 | 2,311 |
| 1911 | 2,182 |
| 1920 | 2,243 |
| 1930 | 2,490 |
| 1940 | 2,701 |
2Surface area and geographical position
The figures given for the surface area of the archipelago differ. Dr Álvaro de Azevedo set it at 500 kilometres for Madeira, 50 for Porto Santo and 10 for the Desertas (‘deserted islands’). The Censo da População for 1930 states that the surface area of the island of Madeira is 740.62 square kilometres and that of Porto Santo 42.17 km². We read in ‘Zargo’s Islands’ (I-59) that official studies carried out in 1937–1938 give Madeira a surface area of 728 km² and the island of Porto Santo 48.8 km².
The known calculations of its geographical position are equally at variance. The illustrious commentator on ‘Longing for the Homeland’ (Saudades da Terra) presents several of them. He prefers those of the geo-hydrographic chart by General António Pedro de Azevedo, which are as follows: 33°3′30″ north latitude and 7°45′27′ west longitude of Lisbon.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 07-
Porto Santo had some 820 inhabitants, the earliest recorded population figure for the island.
-
According to Frutuoso, Porto Santo had about 400 households, some 1,600 inhabitants.
-
Porto Santo's population was recorded as 1,799 people.
-
A census counted 363 households and 1,425 inhabitants on Porto Santo.
-
The 1930 census gave Porto Santo an area of 42.17 km².
-
Official studies gave Madeira an area of 728 km² and Porto Santo 48.8 km².
-
The 1940 census recorded 2,701 inhabitants on Porto Santo.
Place
Places mentioned · 05- Porto Santo · Subject
Statistical entry on the island of Porto Santo. It gives the island's population from 1529 to 1940, the differing estimates of its surface area, and its geographical coordinates.
- Desertas
Santa Cruz. Álvaro de Azevedo estimated their area at 10 km².
An island group near Madeira that was already separated from it at the last eruptions and shares endemic species with it. It was the main orchil-harvesting area, and Wollaston found 89 beetle species there. The islands were investigated by scientific expeditions, including the Endurance scientists in 1914.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Reference meridian for the longitude given.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- Porto Santo
The island whose population, area and position are described.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.
People
People mentioned · 03- Álvaro Rodrigues de Azevedo1825–1898
Commentator of Saudades da Terra who discussed Frutuoso's population figure and estimated the archipelago's area.
- António Pedro de Azevedo1814–1889
Author of a geo-hydrographic chart whose coordinates for Porto Santo were preferred by Álvaro de Azevedo.
- Gaspar Frutuoso1522–1591
Azorean chronicler, author of Saudades da Terra, who stated that Porto Santo had about 400 households in 1590.