| Porto Covo | |||
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| — Parish — | |||
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| Country | Portugal | ||
| Municipality | Sines | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 48.73 km2 (18.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2008) | |||
| - Total | 1,400 | ||
| - Density | 28.7/km2 (74.4/sq mi) | ||
Porto Covo is one of the two civil parishes (freguesias) in the municipality of Sines. It is located in the western coast of Portugal, about 170 km from Lisbon and is well known for its beaches. The name "Porto Covo" probably means Port of the covos, where a covo is a kind of fishing net for capturing lobsters and crabs.
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Geography
Porto Covo has 48,73 km² of area and about 1,400 inhabitants as of 2008 (Population density: 22,9 hab/km²). It is located at the coast, about 13 km south of the port of Sines and 170 km from the capital. In the last two decades it has become a popular destination for tourism and vacancies due to its excellent beaches (many of them being only small coves between rocks), natural beauty and gastronomy. During the summer the population almost decuples with people coming from all over the country to their vacancy houses, rented apartments and campings. Pessegueiro Island, with its fort, geographically departs from the territory of the freguesia of Porto Covo.
History
In the beginning of the eighteenth century Porto Covo was a very small littoral village which lived from fishing and trading. However its little port was much affected by the climacteric conditions and, with bad weather, it was not safe to enter or leave. Near the end of the century a rich bourgeois from the capital, Fernandes Bandeira, became interested in the place and promoted its agricultural and fishing activities, as well as the renovation of the village. His effort was recognized by the court and he was made the Baron of Porto Covo, in 1804.
Near the village there are two fortresses from the end of the sixteenth century, the time of King Filipe I of Portugal (Filipe II of Spain): one in the Island of Pessegueiro, which is now in ruins, and the other in the coast, just in front of it. These were built to contribute to the defense and surveillance of the area, which was supposed to become an important maritime port.
The parish of Porto Covo was officially created on December 31, 1984. Pessegueiro Island is a part of the parish. Up to that time, it was the only one of the districts with the same name. A song of Rui Veloso took the name of these freguesias, and made it known among the Portuguese.
Heritage
- Herdade do Pessegueiro
- Forte do Pessegueiro, including Forte da Ilha de Dentro, in Ilha do Pessegueiro
- Praça Marquês de Pombal
- Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
See also
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