Cuba, Portugal Explained

Type:municipality
Official Name:Cuba
Flag Border:no
Coordinates:38.15°N -60°W
Region:Alentejo
Cim:Baixo Alentejo
District:Beja
Parishes:4
Leader Party:CDU
Leader Name:João Português
Area Total Km2:172.09
Population Total:4,878
Population As Of:2011
Holiday:April 24

Cuba (pronounced as /pt-PT/) 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 cupola or domed 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 small number of scholars sought to make Columbus a Portuguese man. 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 in the city centre.

Parishes

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

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xlang=en&xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0005889&contexto=pi&selTab=tab0 Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. Web site: Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país . 2018-11-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181105172426/http://www.dgterritorio.pt/cartografia_e_geodesia/cartografia/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal_caop_/caop__download_/carta_administrativa_oficial_de_portugal___versao_2017__em_vigor_/ . 2018-11-05 . dead .
  3. Mattoso, José (2006). D. Afonso Henriques, p. 146. Círculo de Leitores, Mem Martins. .
  4. Web site: Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 44. 21 July 2014. Diário da República. Diário da República. Portuguese. pdf.