Subregion Minho-Lima Area 445.9 km² Local time Tuesday 3:04 PM | Region Norte Parishes 36 Population 22,847 (2011) Postal code 4970 | |
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Weather 14°C, Wind W at 8 km/h, 90% Humidity |
Arcos de Valdevez ([ˈaɾkuʒ dɨ ˌvaɫdɨˈveʃ]) is a municipality along the northern frontier of Portugal and Galicia (Spain). The population in 2011 was 22,847, in an area of 447.60 km². It is the largest municipality in area of the district of Viana do Castelo.
Contents
- Map of Arcos de Valdevez Portugal
- History
- Physical geography
- Human geography
- Civic
- Religious
- Sport
- References
Map of Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal
History
The first settlements in the area of Arcos de Valdevez occurred between the 5th and 3rd millennium BC, verified by archaeological investigations from many of the funerary mounds within the municipality, such as Núcleo Megalítico do Mezio. This also includes many rock carvings and paintings that were found in the Gião archaeological station. This period of proto-history, and Roman occupation, not just for its influence on toponymy, was important for many of the defensive and habitational structures that dot the landscape of the municipality. These include many of the castros that exist throughout the area, and in particular, in the parishes of Ázere, Álvora and Cendufe.
During the Middle Age many of these proto-cultural sites were abandoned for medieval parishes or monasteries located along plains or atop strategic hills, such as the Monastery of Ermelo (Cistercians) or Santa Maria de Miranda (Benedictine). These areas facilitated settlement, which was tied to herding and seasonal cultivation, while the mountains provided many sources of game. The facility of settlement greatly enhanced its importance, since its proximity to Spanish territory favoured strategic expansion into the south: the number of medieval bridges in the area, such as in Vilela and Cabreiro improved further expansion.
In documents dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries, there were several military, social centres and infrastructures had been built along these northern positions. A Roman-type bridge within the municipal limits, was constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries, and first referenced during the named Inquirições de 1258 (1258 Inquiries), when the name Arcos appeared in Portuguese toponymy.
Although abandoned in the 13th century, the Castle of Santa Cruz in Vila Fonche, which predates the actual village, was one of the first human centers, helping to protect human populations and facilitate communication that crossed the bridges along the Vez River. By 1258, the Castle controlled a geographic area that included the present boundaries of Arcos de Valdevez. Its importance along these trade and military routes influenced King Manuel I to elevate this "metro-pole" to the status of village in 1515.
Liberal reforms during the 18th century would expand the administrative limits of the municipality, with the annexation of the areas of Soajo, Ermelo and Gavieira.
Physical geography
Arcos de Valdevez is situated in the northwest Portuguese peninsula of the historical province of Minho, in the district of Viana do Castelo. It is limited in the east by Spanish Galicia, south the municipality of Ponte da Barca, southwest and west by Ponte de Lima, also by its western frontier with Paredes de Coura, north by Monção and northwest by Melgaço. Territorially, it occupies 20.18% of the Minho-Lima subregion, 2.10% of the Norte region, or approximately 0.5% of continental Portugal.
The municipality is constituted by three fundamental morphological units: the river-valley depression occupied by the Rivers Vez and Lima, of which 35% of the municipality is located; the mountainous escarpment of the Peneda-Gêres; and an accidented area in the west that extends to the eastern limits of the municipality. The Vez valley, which crosses the territory from north to south, divides the mountainous western and eastern areas, and is the location of the principal activities of the territory.
Human geography
The municipal seat of Arcos de Valdevez, the city specifically, is composed of the civil parishes of Salvador and São Paio, which together account for a population of approximately 2204 inhabitants. It is characteristic of the larger area of northern Portugal, with a relatively homogeneous culture and population, dispersed within a similar scenic environment; it is one of the larger municipalities in Portugal, with an area of approximately 447.6 square kilometres (172.8 sq mi).
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 36 civil parishes (freguesias):
The largest of these parishes, Gavieira, Soajo, Cabreiro, Gondoriz and Sistelo, are located in the mountainous areas that are part of Peneda-Gerês National Park.
The municipal seat is situated 36 kilometres (22 mi) from Braga Municipality and 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Porto, in the civil parish of São Salvador. The urban agglomerations of Arcos de Valdevez roughly coincide with the principal roadway, the Estrada Nacional E.N.101, that links Braga with Monção. The construction of the ancillary I.C.28 altered this pattern, permitting rapid access to Arcos de Valdavez from other regional centres.
Administratively, along with Viana do Castelo, Ponte da Lima and Ponte de Barca, it is overseen by the VALIMA Associação de Municípos do Vale do Lima (Association of Municipalities of the Vale do Lima).
Since 1981 the population of the municipality has been in steady decline; relative to the 2008 census, the population of the municipality has decreased, but at a rate far less than following the urbanization brought on by the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. What has resulted is an emigrant population, with most activities and residential concentration within a small area along the southwest border. Consequently, the urban areas of Salvador (with an urban density of 1090 habitantes/km²) and its neighbouring parishes (São Paio, Aguiã and Giela) have seen some concentration.
Civic
Religious
Sport
The municipal government has funded several sports related projects to develop local athletics, including the construction and/or maintenance of the following:
In addition, there are several local sports organizations and clubs that benefit from the local infrastructures or offer different sporting services; these include the local esquestrian and nautical club.
Arcos' local football (soccer) club is the C.A. Valdevez (Portuguese: Clube Atlético de Valdevez), established in 1945, and currently playing the Portuguese Second Division Series A league. Arcos de Valdevez has a rugby team, Clube de Rugby de Arcos de Valdevez.