| Porto Covo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Parish — | |||
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| Location in the municipality of Sines, Portugal | |||
| Country | Portugal | ||
| Municipality | Sines, Portugal | ||
| 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 (110 mi) south of 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.
Contents |
Porto Covo has 48.73 km2 (18.81 sq mi) 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 (8.1 mi) south of the port of Sines. Since 1990, it has become a popular destination for tourism due to its beaches (many of them being only small coves between rocks), natural beauty and fine dining. During the summer the population almost increases tenfold with people coming from all over the country to their vacation homes, rented apartments and campgrounds. Pessegueiro Island, with its fort, geographically departs from the territory of the freguesia of Porto Covo.
In the beginning of the 18th century Porto Covo was a very small coastal village which lived from fishing and trading. However its little port was much affected by the climactic 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 16th century, the time of King Filipe I of Portugal: one on Pessegueiro Island, which is now in ruins, and the other on 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, and includes Pessegueiro Island. The parish was popularized in a song by Rui Veloso.
The village of Porto Covo is one of Earths most beautiful of all the Alentejo Coast. If you are thinking about coming to visit this magnificent town, you can get all the information in the Portal Porto Covo