Benavente Municipality

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Benavente
Municipality

Flag
Coat of arms
Location in Portugal
Coordinates: 38°58′N 8°48′W / 38.967°N 8.800°W / 38.967; -8.800Coordinates: 38°58′N 8°48′W / 38.967°N 8.800°W / 38.967; -8.800
Country  Portugal
Region Ribatejo
Subregion Lezíria do Tejo
District/A.R. Santarém
Government
 • Mayor António Ganhão (CDU)
Area
 • Total 521.4 km2 (201.3 sq mi)
Population
 • Total 29,388
 • Density 56.4/km2 (146/sq mi)
Parishes (no.) 4
Municipal holiday Ascension Day
date varies
Website http://www.cm-benavente.pt

Benavente (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɨnɐˈvẽt(ɨ)]) is a municipality and parish in Portugal with a total area of 521.0 km² and a total population of 29,388 inhabitants (2011).

The municipality is composed of 4 parishes, and is located in Santarém District.

History

In 1199 the fixation of foreign settlers on the left bank of the Tagus River created a Town on a peninsula in the tagus estuary. Situated in the western limits of Coruche Castle dominion, subordinate to the Order of Calatrava. This small settlement remained under the Seignory of this Military Order, which named it Benavente, the same name as a castle of the same Military order in the Kingdom of León (Which is the actual Benavente, Zamora). It received its foral on March 25, 1200, given by D. Paio (or Pelágio), master of the Military Order of Santa Maria of Évora. The foral was confirmed in Santarém in 1218 by Sancho I. King Manuel gave it a new foral on January 16, 1516.

The present Mayor is António José Ganhão, elected by the Unitarian Democratic Coalition (Communist and Green coalition).

Benavente is crossed by National Road 118, which divides the Town in the historical centre on the west side, destroyed by an earthquake in 27 April 1909, and the new town built after the Quake on the east

The municipal holiday is Ascension Day.

Economy

Agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, and food industries are the main activities. The Companhia das Lezírias is headquartered in the municipality, in Samora Correia.

Parishes

  • Barrosa
  • Benavente
  • Samora Correia
  • Santo Estêvão

External links

Municipalities of Santarém District
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