From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peniche (Portuguese pronunciation: [pɨˈniʃ(ɨ)]) is a seaside municipality and a city in Portugal, with approximately 28,164 inhabitants in the municipality and about 15,600 in the city of Peniche.
The present mayor is António Correia Santos, elected by the Unitarian Democratic Coalition.
It is composed of 6 parishes.
[edit] History and landmarks
The Berlengas islands are part of the municipality, off the coast of Peniche. They are one of the world's first protected areas, the Berlengas nature reserve. During summer, the islands can be visited taking a ferryboat from Peniche.
Peniche is known for its long windy beaches, sought for recreational activities and sports as surf, windsurf or kite surf. Peniche has very good waves. Supertubos is the most popular wave in the region, with very fast and powerful (tubular) waves, one of the best in Europe; some call it the "European Pipeline". Peniche, with its typical harbour, its white windmills and chapels and large sand beaches has inspired notorious painter artists like Maurice Boitel.
[edit] Economy
Since ancient times Peniche has been an important fishing harbour. Besides fisheries, the economy of Peniche municipality relies on agriculture, services and tourism.
[edit] Education
Besides primary, secondary and vocational education, Peniche is home of a state-run polytechnic school of the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, which through its Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar de Peniche, awards academic degrees in marine technologies and tourism.
[edit] Parishes
[edit] Gallery
Nau dos Corvos, a rock formation that is one of Peniche's landmarks
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[edit] External links
Portugal
