Parque das Nações

Parque das Nações
Parish
Parque das Nações
Coordinates: 38°46′05″N 9°05′38″W / 38.768°N 9.094°W / 38.768; -9.094Coordinates: 38°46′05″N 9°05′38″W / 38.768°N 9.094°W / 38.768; -9.094
Country Portugal
Region Lisbon
Subregion Grande Lisboa
Metropolitan area Lisbon
District Lisbon
Municipality Lisbon
Area
  Total 5.44 km2 (2.10 sq mi)
Population (2011)
  Total 21,025
  Density 3,900/km2 (10,000/sq mi)

Parque das Nações (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpaɾk(ɨ) dɐʃ nɐˈsõȷ̃ʃ]; English: Park of the Nations) is a parish of the city of Lisbon, Portugal.[1] It was created in 2012 from parts of the parishes Santa Maria dos Olivais (Lisbon), Sacavém and Moscavide (both part of Loures municipality). The population in 2011 was 21,025,[2] in an area of 5.44 km².[3]

A leisure, commercial, and residential area since the 1998 World Exposition it covers an extensive area in northeastern Lisbon next to the Tagus estuary, formerly used for mainly industrial purposes.

The area underwent a tremendous transformation in the 1990s when it was chosen as the location for the World Exhibition. After the exhibition, the area got its current name (although it is not uncommon for the Portuguese to still refer to it as "Expo"), and more transformations occurred such as the new Vasco da Gama shopping mall, the Lisbon's International Fair complex, hotels and many new office and residential buildings. Many attractions built for the Expo '98 remained and keep drawing visitors, such as the Oceanarium, one of the world's biggest aquariums.

Taking advantage of its geographical position, Parque das Nações also have a brand new Marina, Marina Parque das Nações [4] featuring 600 berths and modern infrastructures, a river pier for cruises or historical vessels and an exclusive pontoon prepared to receive nautical and on land events, and a spot for bird watching as it is sited in the Tagus Estuary, one of the largest and diverse estuaries of Europe. Camões Theatre, where the national ballet company perform, and "Pavilhão do Conhecimento" (Knowledge Museum) are two important facilities that attract thousand of visitors every year. "Parque das Nações" offers good sports practice by the river, such as running, and various types events as music festivals.

An estimated 21,000 people currently live in the Parque das Nações, which was shared between the Lisbon and Loures municipalities until November 2012. After a movement of citizens requesting the Lisbon's half to annex the one belonging to Loures, thereby integrating the entire area within the Lisbon municipality, the area is now inside Lisbon and it's the city's most northeastern parish.

References

  1. Diário da República. "Law nr. 56/2012, pages 6454-6460" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Census 2011 results according to the 2013 administrative division of Portugal
  3. Direção-Geral do Território
  4. "MARINA PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES – A nova marina de Lisboa". Retrieved 27 October 2013.

External links

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