Viana do Castelo

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Viana do Castelo
Flag of Viana do Castelo
Municipal flag
Coat of arms of Viana do Castelo
Municipal coat of arms
Location of Viana do Castelo
Location  
 - Country  Portugal
 - Region Norte
 - Subregion Minho-Lima
 - District or A.R. Viana do Castelo
Mayor Defensor Moura
 - Party PS
Area 318.6 km²
Population
 - Total 91,238 (2006)
 - Density 286.4/km²
No. of parishes 40
Coordinates 41º42'N 8º50'W
Municipal holiday
August 20
Website: http://www.cm-viana-castelo.pt

Viana do Castelo (Portuguese pronunciation: [viˈɐnɐ du kɐʃˈtɛlu]) is a city and a municipality, seat of the district of Viana do Castelo, in Norte region, Portugal. The city proper had 36,148 (INE, 2001)[1] inhabitants, and the municipality has a total population of 91,238 inhabitants (2006) for a total area of 318.6 km².

It is located at the mouth of the Rio Lima.

Contents

[edit] History

King Afonso III of Portugal founded the town in 1253 in the name of Viana. In the 16th century its port gained great importance as the one of the main ports from which Portuguese explorers set sail due to the discoveries. The most remarkable buildings in the town are from this era. Its traditional folklore is among the richest in the country.

[edit] Parishes

  • Afife
  • Alvarães
  • Amonde
  • Anha
  • Areosa (Viana do Castelo)
  • Barroselas
  • Cardielos
  • Carreço
  • Carvoeiro
  • Castelo do Neiva
  • Chafé
  • Darque (Viana do Castelo)
  • Deão
  • Deocriste
  • Freixieiro de Soutelo
  • Lanheses
  • Mazarefes
  • Meadela (Viana do Castelo)
  • Meixedo
  • Monserrate (Viana do Castelo)
  • Montaria
  • Moreira de Geraz do Lima
  • Mujães
  • Neiva
  • Nogueira
  • Outeiro
  • (São Gil de) Perre
  • Portela Susã
  • Santa Marta de Portuzelo
  • Santa Leocádia de Geraz do Lima
  • Santa Maria de Geraz do Lima
  • Santa Maria Maior (Viana do Castelo)
  • Serreleis
  • Subportela
  • Torre
  • Vila de Punhe
  • Vila Franca
  • Vila Fria
  • Vila Mou
  • Vilar de Murteda
Panoramic view of Viana.
Panoramic view of Viana.

[edit] Economy

Viana do Castelo: the city

The city has a seaport with naval repairing facilities. Its major industry is naval construction. Its shipyard is the only one still working in Portugal.

[edit] Coat of Arms and Flag

The coat of arms includes a ship over the sea and a golden castle with three towers on top of a blue-colored shield. The flag color is black and yellow. It is ordered yellow to black from the top clockwise four times.

[edit] Sites of interest

Castelo do Neiva, the castle has been owned by the parish of Viana do Castelo since the beginning of the 19th century.

[edit] References

  1. ^ UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004 Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)

[edit] External links

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