It is one of the constituent parts of the city of Ponta Delgada, and location of many of the island's more significant cultural and historical, commercial and residential buildings.

Extending a short distance along the coast it, nevertheless includes a large mixed urban-rural constituency from the shore north to the main freeway, the Via-Rápida.

[4] In July 2002, owing to the population and administrative issues, the civil parish of Santa Clara separated from São José.

[5] This event which included representatives of the regional authority, former politicians (such as João Bosco Mota Amaral) and municipal council (such as the President Berta Cabral), was celebrated with blessings from deacon José Garcia, speeches, plaque unveiling and presentation of a photographic gallery of former notable figures from the parishes history and past parish presidents.

[6] Its urban extent, which extends into the new parish of Santa Clara, is one of the most built-up regions, preserving a patrimonial identity that is multi-secular, that includes administrative, political, military and religious buildings.