São Vicente (São Paulo, Brazil)

São Vicente (after Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron Saint of Lisbon, Portugal) is a coastal municipality in southern São Paulo, Brazil. It is part of the Metropolitan Region of the Baixada Santista. The population is 329,911 (2022 est.) in an area of 148,151 square kilometres (57,201.42 square miles). Founded in 1532, by the Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator Martim Afonso de Sousa, it is the first permanent village (colonial settlement) established in Brazil, and the first election on the American continent also took place there. Because of this, it is considered the "cradle of American democracy". São Vicente is one of the 15 municipalities in São Paulo considered seaside resorts by the state of São Paulo, as they meet certain prerequisites defined by State Law. This status guaranteed the municipality a larger budget from the State to promote regional tourism. Furthermore, the municipality acquires the right to add, next to its name, the title of "Estância Balneária" (Balneary Resort), a term by which it is designated both by official municipal records and by state references. Historical tourism and beach tourism are among the most relevant sectors of its economy.