Cuba, Portugal

Cuba
Municipality

Roman bridge over Odivelas stream

Flag
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 38°09′N 7°53′W / 38.150°N 7.883°W / 38.150; -7.883Coordinates: 38°09′N 7°53′W / 38.150°N 7.883°W / 38.150; -7.883
Country  Portugal
Region Alentejo
Subregion Baixo Alentejo
Intermunic. comm. Baixo Alentejo
District Beja
Parishes 4
Government
 • President João Português (CDU)
Area
 • Total 172.09 km2 (66.44 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 4,878
 • Density 28/km2 (73/sq mi)
Time zone WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)
Website http://www.cm-cuba.pt

Cuba (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈkuβɐ]) is a town and municipality in the District of Beja in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 4,878,[1] in an area of 172.09 km².[2]

The current mayor (since 2013) is João Português. The municipal holiday is Monday after Easter.

History

The name "Cuba" is likely of Arabic origin, pertaining to the qubba, that is "tombs", of ascetic spiritual leaders. Such toponyms are frequent in Southern Portugal and likely related to the Sufi movements that flourished during the period of Almoravid decay, such as the one led by Ibn Qasi.[3]

In the 20th century a few scholars sought to turn Colombus into a Portuguese. One of these attempts had him born in the town of Cuba, after which he would have named the Caribbean island. (See possible birthplace of Christopher Columbus.) A statue honouring the explorer can be seen on the city centre. These theories gained some favour among patriotic sectors but have been easily debunked by historians and genealogists.

Statue of Christopher Columbus

Parishes

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 4 civil parishes (freguesias):[4]

References

  1. ↑ Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. ↑ Direção-Geral do Território
  3. ↑ Mattoso, José (2006). D. Afonso Henriques, p. 146. Círculo de Leitores, Mem Martins. ISBN 972-42-3867-9.
  4. ↑ Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 44" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 July 2014.
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