São Jorge civil parish belongs to Santana municipality, and  is situated on the extreme north of the island, by Ponta de São Jorge.

The civil parish is limited by the Atlantic Ocean in the north, and by the cordillera of Pico Ruivo. São Jorge has an area of 18.3 km2, and about 1,596 inhabitants.

Amongst the local economic activities, agriculture, trade and industry stand out.

According to some historians, for more than four centuries, São Jorge was considered one of the most important trading centres in the north of Madeira Island.

In fact, in a small inlet, vessels moored coming from Funchal and other places, and supplied the civil parishes of São Jorge and Santana.

However, on the 20th century, the building of the new road gave an end to the supremacy of the civil parish. The place started to decay, since it ceased being a compulsory passing place.

In terms of climate, the summer has very mild temperatures, but the winter is a little harsher, with some rainfall.