| Feteira | |
| Freguesia de Feteira | |
| Civil Parish | |
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| Name origin: derived from the Portuguese "feto" meaning a place of many ferns | |
| Country | Portugal |
|---|---|
| State | Azores |
| Region | Faial |
| District | Horta |
| Center | Feteira |
| Lowest point | Sea Level |
| - location | Atlantic Ocean |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Area | 14.62 km2 (6 sq mi) |
| Population | 1,612 (2001) |
| Density | 110.3 /km2 (286 /sq mi) |
| Junta Freguesia | Civil Parish |
| President | Eduardo Humberto Silveira Pereira |
| Timezone | Azores (UTC-1) |
| - summer (DST) | Azores (UTC-2) |
| Numeric & Codex | 9500-361 Horta |
| Denomyn | Feteirense |
Feteira is a civil parish in the southern part of the municipality of Horta, on the island of Faial in the Azores. The population in 2001 is 1,612, its density is 110.3/km² and the area is 14.62 km². The name Feteira is derived for the portuguese word for "fern", and indicates the "location of ferns"; the name likely refers to the original colonists discovery of an area covered with ferns.
Geography
It is located 5 km west of the city of Horta, connected by the southern extension of the Regional Road E.R.1-1ª in the south and a northern municipal road closer to the interior. Farmlands dominate the coastal plain between the parishes of Angústias and Castelo Branco, and the coast is a rugged area mostly undercut by the Atlantic Ocean. There are several rivers and streams that bisect the parish that have supported the populations growth and agriculture over the decades. It is know for five bridges: São Pedro, Porceirão, Igreja, a second one in São Pedro (at the lower part of the parish) and Ponte Nova.
History
The early inhabitants colonized the area around Ribeira da Granja, along the coast near Lajinha and Ponta Furada. They built their first community along the coast, although on higher ground.
The Church of Feteira, consecrated in honor of the Holy Spirit, is one of the older churches on the island. Although lost to history, its date of construction is currently unknown, although the first references to the sanctuary refers to June 30, 1568. The historian Gaspar Frutouso, referred to a church of three naves, supported by five columns and wood, with arterial chapels on either side. It was a temple of good proportions (35 m in width) with single bell-tower and nearby a 15th Century chapel. In 1597, it was sacked and burned by English pirates. The nearby chapel, the Chapel of São Pedro, had been a place of pilgrimage during religious festivals, but, due to lack of attention and care, it was slowly abandoned.
Because of a history of piracy, the coast was monitored by small fort outposts: remnants of these forts have long since disappeared from the coast.
Economy
Agriculture is the primary source of income. Historically, the parish has cultivated potatoes, support orange and lemon orchards, as well as large quantities of wheat and corn. Documents for 1886 indicate a cultivation of 200,000 kg. of potatoes. Most of these crops have been cultivated for export, although small itinerant banana fields have been cultivated for local consume. Currently, the cattle and dairy industry is generally recognized as the primary source of agro-business (although some lambs are raised).
The fishery and paper industries have also supported the local economy. Yet, economic difficulties, in particular regional politics, have seen a decrease in people participating in these activities, since 1862.
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