Vila Nova (Praia da Vitória)

Vila Nova
Civil Parish
Praia das Escaleiras, on the northern coast of Vila Nova
Official name: Freguesia da Vila Nova
Name origin: Portuguese for new town
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Azores
Island Terceira
Municipality Praia da Vitória
Localities Alminhas, Canada da Bezerra, Canada da Estaca, Canada do Boqueiro, Faias, Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, Ribeira de Agualva, Vila Nova
Landmark Ribeira de Agualva Watermill
Rivers Ribeira das Pedras, Ribeira de Agualva
Center Vila Nova
 - elevation 56 m (184 ft)
 - coordinates 38°46′51″N 27°8′43″W / 38.78083°N 27.14528°W / 38.78083; -27.14528Coordinates: 38°46′51″N 27°8′43″W / 38.78083°N 27.14528°W / 38.78083; -27.14528
Highest point Canada do Boqueiro
 - elevation 135 m (443 ft)
 - coordinates 38°45′57″N 27°9′6″W / 38.76583°N 27.15167°W / 38.76583; -27.15167
Lowest point Sea level
 - location Atlantic Ocean
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 8.14 km2 (3 sq mi)
 - water .00 km2 (0 sq mi)
 - urban .99 km2 (0 sq mi)
Population 1,678 (2011)
Density 206 / km2 (534 / sq mi)
LAU Junta Freguesia
 - location Caminho da Abrigada, Estarada Regional E.R.1-1
 - coordinates 38°46′50″N 27°9′9″W / 38.78056°N 27.15250°W / 38.78056; -27.15250
Timezone Azores (UTC-1)
 - summer (DST) Azores (UTC0)
Postal Zone 9760-701
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 292 XXX XXX
Location of the parish seat of Vila Nova on the island of Terceira
Wikimedia Commons: Vila Nova (Praia da Vitória)
Geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)

Vila Nova is a civil parish in the municipality of Praia da Vitória on the island of Terceira in the Portuguese Azores. The population in 2011 was 1,678,[1] in an area of 8.14 km².[2]

History

Allegorical carts during the Festas do Espírito Santo in Vila Nova

In its early settlement, the area of Vila Nova was known for its abundance of water; in 1891 there were 14 water fountains supplying potable water to the community. Although primarily a subsistence agriculture community, dominated by the harvesting of cereal crops, the area was also a refuge and settlement for many noble families.

Geography

The area is characterized by rocky coastal zone, that includes the bay and beach of Praia das Escaleiras, and a more elevated area that includes prime agricultural lands in Alminhas, Canada do Boqueiro and Canada da Bezerra.

Ecoregions/Protected areas

Architecture

Civic

Religious

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, June 28, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.