VILA VELHA

also called Esprito Santo, coastal city, east-central Esprito Santo state, eastern Brazil. It lies along Esprito Santo Bay and is just southeast of Vitria, the state capital. It was settled in 1535 and was given city status in 1896. Chocolate and candy making are the principal economic activities. Nearby is the 16th-century convent of Our Lady of Penha. Pop. (1980) city, 74,154; mun., 203,498; (1991 prelim.) mun., 263,897.