Country Portugal Intermunic. comm. Baixo Alentejo Time zone WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1) Area 172.1 km² Local time Monday 6:59 AM District Beja District | Subregion Baixo Alentejo Parishes 4 Population 4,878 (2011) Region Alentejo | |
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Weather 13°C, Wind NW at 8 km/h, 100% Humidity | ||
Cuba ([ˈkuβɐ]) is a town and municipality in the District of Beja in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 4,878, in an area of 172.09 km².
Contents
Map of Cuba, Portugal
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 "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.
In the 20th century a few scholars sought to turn Colombus into a Portuguese. 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 on the city centre. These theories gained some favour among patriotic sectors but have been easily debunked by historians and genealogists.
Parishes
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 4 civil parishes (freguesias):