Setúbal (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɨˈtuβaɫ] or [sɨˈtuβɐɫ]) is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303[1] inhabitants.
In the times of Al-Andalus the city was known as Shetúbar (Arabic: شَطُوبَر [ʃɛtˤuːbær]). In the 19th Century, the port was called St. Ubes in English and St Yves in French.
The municipal holiday is September 15, which marks the date in the year 1860 on which King Pedro V of Portugal officially recognised Setúbal as a city.
The present Mayor is Maria das Dores Meira, appointed by the Democratic Unity Coalition.
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The seat of the municipality is the city of Setúbal, located on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary, approximately 40 km south of Portugal's capital, Lisbon. It is also the seat of the Setúbal District.
In the beginning of the 20th century, Setúbal was an important center of Portugal's fishing industry, particularly sardines. However, none of the many factories then created are operating today. Although its industrial life is in decline, tourism is perceived as a big opportunity for the future since the nearby coast of the Arrábida natural park offers beautiful beaches and unspoilt nature. A dolphin colony inhabits the Sado River. Across the river on the south bank lies the peninsula of Tróia, where several high-rise luxury resorts were built and abandoned after the realization they were being constructed on sinking, unstable land. As of 2005, a new luxury resort is planned to replace today's Tróia. The Tróia peninsula can be sighted from Albarquel, a beach located in the north bank of the estuary, at the very beginning of Arrábida.
The main historical monument of the city of Setúbal is the Monastery of Jesus, with a 15th–16th century church that represents one of the first buildings in the Portuguese late Gothic style known as Manueline.
Also of interest are the São Julião Church, also with Manueline portals. The Castelo de São Filipe, is a 16th–17th century fortress on the north bank of the Sado river, overseeing the city. The fortress was converted into a luxury hotel (pousada).
Teatro Animação de Setúbal is based in Setúbal.
The city's main sports club is Vitória de Setúbal, established on November 20, 1910.
Setúbal is twinned with:
Setúbal has international cooperation protocols with:
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