OLINDA

city, eastern Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil, atop a low hill on the Atlantic coast, 5 mi (8 km) north of Recife, the state capital. It was founded by the Portuguese Duarte Coelho Pereira as the colonial capital of Pernambuco captaincy in 1537. By 1600 its economy was based on sugar, and Negro slave labour had made it a feudal and ecclesiastical stronghold. (Slavery was abolished in 1888.) In 1630 the Dutch captured the city, occupying it until 1654. By that time it had declined, its place of leadership being passed to Recife, which became the capital. Olinda is noted principally for its 16th- and 17th-century ornate churches and monasteries and for other colonial buildings. There is a large colony of artists who produce wood carvings and pottery. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 266,392.