Reasons for the Failure of Porto Santo’s Economic Model during the 19th Century

Abstract

Porto Santo’s history during the 19^th century is marked by numerous episodes of economic contraction. The model based on the exploitation of natural resources has repeatedly failed for several reasons. The most evident are the deficiency of water resources and the lack of investment in technological modernization of the farming activity. The island’s economy was also conditioned by profound deficiencies in roads, which made the transportation of goods in wheeled animal-drawn vehicles difficult. The maritime connections with the island of Madeira were precarious, but very important as they represented the only means of transport for the sale of produced surplus and for the purchase of essential goods, which revealed itself as a constrain to the economic and populational growth constrain.
Limestone mining and salt pans showed great potential in generating an important source of income for the population, but these activities also encountered obstacles that barred their continuity.

Keywords

Economic History; Porto Santo; 19^th Century; Farming Activity; Limestone Mining; Salt Pans; Hunger.