São Vicente Island (São Paulo, Brazil)

São Vicente Island is an island off the coast of São Paulo state in southeastern Brazil; it contains the cities of Santos and São Vicente and was the site of an early Portuguese settlement founded in 1532.

The island functions as a major urban and port area for the Baixada Santista region. The Port of Santos, on the island’s northern shore, is the principal seaport serving São Paulo state and handles the bulk of the region’s maritime trade.

The island’s urban zones include long-established city centres, beaches and transport infrastructure that link the island to the São Paulo metropolitan region. Its economy is dominated by port activity, logistics and tourism.

The first permanent Portuguese settlement on the island was established in 1532 by Martim Afonso de Sousa; over the following centuries the area developed around shipping, trade and urban growth to become an important national port and coastal population centre.

• Founding date: Founded in 1532 by Martim Afonso de Sousa, making it one of Brazil's earliest permanent European settlements.
• Regional importance: Part of the Baixada Santista coastal region, the island contains major urban and port infrastructure serving the São Paulo metropolitan area.

What to See #

• Santos: Largest city on the island; hosts much of the island's urban area and historic centre and is the location of the Port of Santos, the main seaport serving the São Paulo region.
• São Vicente (city): One of the first Portuguese settlements in Brazil, founded in 1532; today it forms the older, residential and historic portion of the island's urban area.
• Port of Santos: Located on the island's northern shore and handling the region's bulk and container traffic, it is the busiest port in Brazil and a major export hub for São Paulo state.