SAO VICENTE

city, southeastern So Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies on So Vicente Island and adjoins Santos city in Santos Bay. Although the exact date of its settlement is unknown, So Vicente was one of the earliest successful Portuguese captaincies in Brazil. It was given town status in 1532 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1700. Long since surpassed in importance by Santos and So Paulo, the city is now primarily a resort with a large beach, the Praia Grande. Pop. (1991 prelim.) mun., 254,718.