Quarteira
Template:Geobox Quarteira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kwɐɾˈtɐjɾɐ] or [kwɐɾˈtejɾɐ]) is a Portuguese civil parish, in the municipality (concelho) of Loulé in the Algarve.[1] According with the 2011, Quarteira had a population of 21,798 inhabitants, in a coastal area of 37.78 km².
History
The settlement of the region dates back to, at least, the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula (at one time confused with the village of Carteia).[2] There are still other authors who suggest that settlement of the region may have remoted to the period of Phoenician or Carthaginian traders.[2]
For several centuries, Quarteira was a modest fishing village, situated on the edge of a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) beach, encircled by pines.[2] King Denis authorized a foral (charter) for the settlement on 15 November 1297.[2]
In the 15th century, King John I of Portugal ordered the first cultivation of sugar cane in continental Portugal.[2]
Created in 1916, the civil parish quickly became known for its beaches, fishing and its forests of pine.[2]
Quarteira was elevated to the status of cidade (city) on 13 May 1999.[2]
Geography
Quarteira is a coastal civil parish, located along the southern extent of the Algarve fronting Albufeira Municipality to the west (in the parish of Olhos de Água). In addition, the local area authority is bordered in the east by Almancil, northeast by São Clemente, north by São Sebastião and Boliqueime.
From the Atlantic coast, the frontier with its neighbours extends northwest along the Ribeira de Algibre, before following the M526 municipal roadway to the Estrada Nacional EN125 in Maritenda. From here, the border travels southeast along the EN125 until just after the N396 motorway, where it then divides along a ravine southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean, alongside the Royal Golf Course. The coast includes 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) of normally-classified Blue Flag beach.
Economy
Golf, continues to represent for this parish, municipality and region, with five separate golf courses contributing to the economy, especially during the low season.[2]
Related to this sport, the parish is the home of the largest private tourist facility in Europe: Vilamoura.[2] In addition, the region accommodates various tourists with two hundred hotels and residences, including casinos, bars and discos.[2]
Architecture
Archaeological
- Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila ([Ruínas Romanas do Cerro da Vila, em Vilamoura] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
Civic
- Apartment Complex Avenida de Sagres, 147/149 ([Edifícios na Avenida Infante de Sagres, n.º 147 e n.º 149/Edifícios Laginha e Seguro] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Apartment Complex Quarteira I ([Edifício Quarteira I] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Apartment Complex Rua de São Tomé e Príncipe, 26/36 ([Edifícios na Rua de São Tomé e Príncipe, n.º 26 a n.º 36] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Fiscal Guard Post of Quarteira ([Posto da Guarda Fiscal de Quarteira] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Lighthouse of Vilamoura ([Farol de Vilamoura/Farolim de Vilamoura] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Loulé-Praia de Quarteira Railway Station ([Estação Ferroviária de Loulé-Praia de Quarteira] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Maritime Delegation of Quarteira ([Delegação Maritímo da Quarteira] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Residence Cada do Mirante ([Moradia na Avenida Infante de Sagres n.º 79/Casa do Mirante] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Residence Gonçalves ([Moradia na Av. Infante de Sagres, n.º 165/Casa Gonçalves] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Residence Villa Sol e Mar ([Moradia na Avenida Infante de Sagres, n.º 83/Villa Sol e Mar] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Residence Casa Martins Laginha ([Prédio na Rua Bartolomeu Dias n.º 27/Casa Martins Laginha] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Restaurante-Residencial Toca do Coelho/Hotel D. José
Military
- Fort of Armação ([Forte Novo/Forte da Armação] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
Religious
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição ([Igreja Paroquial da Quarteira/Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Church of São Pedro do Mar ([Igreja de São Pedro do Mar] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
- Church of Vilamoura ([Igreja de Vilamoura] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))
Culture
Among other festivities attracting tourism to the region is the Marchas Populares in June.[2]
References
- Notes