City of Cantanhede | |
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 Flag  Coat of arms | |
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| Coordinates:40°21′N8°35′W / 40.350°N 8.583°W /40.350; -8.583 | |
| Country |  Portugal |
| Region | Centro |
| Intermunic. comm. | Região de Coimbra |
| District | Coimbra |
| Parishes | 14 |
| Government | |
| • President | João Moura (PSD) |
| Area | |
• Total | 390.88 km2 (150.92 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 36,595 |
| • Density | 93.622/km2 (242.48/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (WEST) |
| Website | www.cm-cantanhede.pt |
Cantanhede (Portuguese pronunciation:[kɐ̃tɐˈɲeðɨ]ⓘ), officially theCity of Cantanhede (Portuguese:Cidade de Cantanhede), is a city andmunicipality in theCoimbra District, in theCentro Region, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 36,595,[1] in an area of 390.88 km2.[2]
Cantanhede is located in theCoimbra District, in theBaixo Mondego subregion of theCentro Region, halfway between the cities ofCoimbra andAveiro, in Portugal.
This small town is located just 25 km from the very popular beaches ofMira andTocha on theAtlantic coast.
The name "Cantanhede" comes from theCelticcant, which means "great stone", and refers to thequarries in the region. It was the originalCantonieti, mentioned in the documentation of the centuries 11th, 12th and 13th also with the spellingsCantoniedi,Cantonidi andCantonetu.
Its first historical references dating back to 1087, date on whichSisnando Davides, governor of Coimbra, provided the village with fortification and promoted its repopulation.
With a well-preserved urban area elevated to city (cidade) status by theLei n.º 69/91, de 16 de Agosto in August 1991, and being home to a number of large and elegant houses, dating back to the 19th century, Cantanhede was grantedforal in 1514 by the kingManuel I of Portugal.[3]
In 2024, the limestone ofAnçã was recognised as aWorld Heritage Stone.[4]
Traditionally a major agriculture center, Cantanhede is at the heart of theBairrada DOC which produces famed wines. The town is home toBiocant Park,[5] a biotechnology park. This park is attractingbiosciences companies to Cantanhede, and has the scientific background of theUniversity of Coimbra andAveiro University, both associated entities of the project.
Cantanhede was growing fast, and the inauguration of the C.C. Rossio (local shopping center) helped to boost the area's economy. EXPOFACIC - Feira Agrícola, Comercial e Industrial de Cantanhede, atrade fair,agricultural show and festival, is a major event in the region and is organized every year in July, attracting thousands of visitors to Cantanhede.
The municipality is subdivided into the following parishes:[6]
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