Alcoutim
Alcoutim (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐlkowˈtĩ] (
Alcoutim | |
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![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms | |
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Coordinates: 37°28′N 7°28′W | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Algarve |
Intermunic. comm. | Algarve |
District | Faro |
Parishes | 4 |
Government | |
• President | Osvaldo Gonçalves (PS) |
Area | |
• Total | 575.36 km2 (222.15 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 2,917 |
• Density | 5.1/km2 (13/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC±00:00 (WET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (WEST) |
Local holiday | Second Friday of September |
Website | http://www.cm-alcoutim.pt |
The Moorish Alcoutim Castle, located in the municipality, dates from the 14th century.
The municipality is located in the northeast corner of Faro District.
The present Mayor is Francisco Augusto Amaral, elected by the Social Democratic Party. The municipal holiday is June 13.
Coat of arms
![](../I/m/Santar%C3%A9m_-_Igreja_de_Santa_Maria_da_Gra%C3%A7a_-_T%C3%BAmulo_de_D._Pedro_de_Meneses.jpg)
The coat of arms of Alcoutim - a wreath of zambujeiro (wild olive tree) and the slogan Aleo - is derived from the decorative motif of the tomb of Pedro de Menezes, 1st Count of Vila Real, found in the Igreja da Graça in Santarém. 'Aleu' or 'aleo' is an old Portuguese term for a 'gaming stick' (as used in hockey or shuffleboard). It refers to a famous episode concerning Pedro de Menezes from shortly after the Conquest of Ceuta on September 2, 1415 (commemorated on Ceuta Day). Pedro de Menezes was engaged in an outdoor game in the king's presence when a messenger arrived reporting an imminent Moroccan attack on Portuguese-held Ceuta. Menezes is said to have raised his gaming stick (aleo) and told the king that "with that stick alone" he could defend Ceuta from all the power of Morocco.[4] Pedro's descendants were later made Count's of Alcoutim. Similar design can be seen on the coat of arms of Vila Real
Parishes
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 4 civil parishes (freguesias):[5]
Climate
Alcoutim has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa), due to its location in the Guadiana River basin it has a climate that very much resembles that of relatively nearby Seville. With an average July high of around 35 °C (95 °F) it is one of the hottest places in Portugal and Europe during the summer months.
References
- Detail Regional Map, Algarve- Southern Portugal, ISBN 3-8297-6235-6
- Instituto Nacional de Estatística
- "Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país". Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
- "Eu só com este páu, sou capaz de defender Ceuta, de todo o poder dos mouros", as reported in Portugal antigo e moderno, 1878, p. 495.
- Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 8" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 July 2014.
External links
Media related to Alcoutim at Wikimedia Commons- Official website (in Portuguese)
Municipality of Faro District (Algarve) |
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![]() Albufeira |
![]() Alcoutim |
![]() Aljezur |
![]() Castro Marim |
![]() Faro |
![]() Lagoa |
![]() Lagos |
![]() Loulé |
![]() Monchique |
![]() Olhão |
![]() Portimão |
![]() São Brás de Alportel |
![]() Silves (Portugal) |
![]() Tavira |
![]() Vila do Bispo |
![]() Vila Real de Santo António |
Albufeira | Alcoutim | Aljezur | Castro Marim | Faro | Lagoa | Lagos | Loulé | Monchique | Olhão | Portimão | São Brás de Alportel | Silves | Tavira | Vila do Bispo | Vila Real de Santo António |