Aguçadoura
Encyclopedia
Aguçadoura is a Portuguese
parish, located in municipality of Póvoa de Varzim
. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 4,530 inhabitants and a total area of 3.47 km².
The name of Aguçadoura derives from "petra aguzadoira" (sharp stone or stone to sharp farming tools).
The inhabitants had a difficult time settling in the area, and it was only constituted by sand dunes that were constantly blown by the wind. Only in the 18th century, the settlement gained some importance and, in 1730, there were already 25 families, and in middle of the 19th century its population was greater than that of Navais. Thus Aguçadoura separated from Navais in 1933.
to the north, Navais
to the east, and A Ver-o-Mar
to the south. This parish is recognized for its beaches: Aguçadoura Beach, Codicheira Beach and Barranha Beach.
Its territory once dominated by Masseira
farm fields is now dominated by green houses. The parish is very competitive in the garden crops sector, despite most of the parish is located in former arid sandy dunes. Fertilization of its soils was done through generations of farmers by gathering sargassum seaweed from the ocean, to fertilize the infertile soil. The parish is home to Póvoa de Varzim Horticulture Association - the Horpozim. Among other small businesses, there is also a minor floriculture business.
The main beach is also considered to be one of the top surf sites along the Portuguese coastline according to some sources.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
parish, located in municipality of Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim is a Portuguese city in the Norte Region and sub-region of Greater Porto, with a 2011 estimated population of 63,364. According to the 2001 census, there were 63,470 inhabitants with 42,396 living in the city proper. The urban area expanded, southwards, to Vila do Conde, and there...
. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 4,530 inhabitants and a total area of 3.47 km².
The name of Aguçadoura derives from "petra aguzadoira" (sharp stone or stone to sharp farming tools).
History
Aguçadoura is the newest parish of Póvoa de Varzim; it was created on October 14 of 1933, when it separated from the parish of Navais, to which it always belonged. The first reference to the place appears in 1258: in Petra Aguzadoira que est in termino de Nabaes.The inhabitants had a difficult time settling in the area, and it was only constituted by sand dunes that were constantly blown by the wind. Only in the 18th century, the settlement gained some importance and, in 1730, there were already 25 families, and in middle of the 19th century its population was greater than that of Navais. Thus Aguçadoura separated from Navais in 1933.
Geography
Aguçadoura is located 6 km north of downtown Póvoa de Varzim; and has as borders: the ocean to the west, and the parishes of EstelaEstela
Estela is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 2,596 inhabitants and a total area of 11.73 km²....
to the north, Navais
Navais
Navais is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 1,683 inhabitants and a total area of 4.23 km².-History:...
to the east, and A Ver-o-Mar
A Ver-o-Mar
A Ver-o-Mar or Aver-o-Mar is a Portuguese parish, located in the city of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 10,267 inhabitants and a total area of 5.21 km²....
to the south. This parish is recognized for its beaches: Aguçadoura Beach, Codicheira Beach and Barranha Beach.
Its territory once dominated by Masseira
Masseira
Masseira is a unique form of traditional farming technique practised in the parishes of Estela and Aguçadoura in the north of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal, and in the neighbouring parish of Apúlia in Esposende...
farm fields is now dominated by green houses. The parish is very competitive in the garden crops sector, despite most of the parish is located in former arid sandy dunes. Fertilization of its soils was done through generations of farmers by gathering sargassum seaweed from the ocean, to fertilize the infertile soil. The parish is home to Póvoa de Varzim Horticulture Association - the Horpozim. Among other small businesses, there is also a minor floriculture business.
Hamlets
The parish is divided in seven hamlets: Santo André, Granjeiro, Caturela, Fieiro, Areosa, Aldeia, and Codicheira.The main beach is also considered to be one of the top surf sites along the Portuguese coastline according to some sources.