Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Ponta Delgada


image_coat_of_arms = PDL.png

Region = A.R. of Azores
Subregion = A.R. of Azores
District = A.R. of Azores
Mayor_name = Berta Maria Cabral
Mayor_party = PSD
area_total = 233.0
population_total = 64,516
population_density = 277
Parishes = 24
coor = 37º44'N 25º40'W
params = 37_44_N_25_40_W
occasion = Easter Monday
day = date varies
website = http://www.pontadelgadadigital.com
footnotes =

Ponta Delgada (pronounced|ˈpõtɐ dɛɫˈgadɐ) is a city and municipality on São Miguel Island in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. The city proper has a population of 46,102 [ [http://62.48.187.117/atlas/Cap2/Cap2d_2.html UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004] Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)] and the municipality has a population of 64,516 for a total area of 233.0 km². It serves as the seat of the executive government of the Azores Autonomous Region [ [http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/en/categories/citizen?lang=en&area=ct/ Regional Government of Azores] ] .

Economy

Ponta Delgada is the tourist heart of the Azores.

To the north of Ponta Delgada are the suburbs of "Fajã de Baixo" and "Fajã de Cima". Fajã de Baixo is agricultural with pineapple cultivation. Fajã de Cima is famous for its festivities. To the eastern side of Ponta Delgada is the suburb of "São Roque" which is gradually becoming part of the city itself as it expands along the coast with the construction of a new marina and a seaside walk with leisure facilities

Geography

Bordering the north-western part of the city is the mountain range of Sete Cidades in which are located the valley and lake of the same name.

Ponta Delgada's sister city in the United States is Fall River, Massachusetts.

Facilities

* Marina [ [http://www.apsm.pt/marina/UK/eng_sector.htm Marina of Pêro de Teive] ] .
* Airport Ponta Delgada(PDL) [ [http://www.sata.pt// SATA Air Azores] ] ; lies on the western edge of the city, with flights to the other islands, mainland Portugal, other European cities and North America(USA and Canada).
* Universidade dos Açores [ [http://www.uac.pt/intro.php/ Universidade dos Açores] ] (University of Azores) is in Ponta Delgada.
* Soccer teams for Ponta Delgada are Clube Desportivo Santa Clara [ [http://www.cdsantaclara.pt/ Clube Desportivo Santa Clara] ] (Divisão de Honra (Honor League)), Clube União Micaelense [ [http://hoquei.uniaomicaelense.com/o_clube/o_clube.htm/ Clube União Micaelense] ] (2ª Divisão B (2nd league)) and Marítimo da Calheta (Campeonato de S.Miguel (regional league)).

Parishes

The municipality is composed of 24 parishes.

columns-list|3
* Ajuda da Bretanha
* Arrifes
* Candelária
* Capelas
* Covoada
* Fajã de Baixo
* Fajã de Cima
* Fenais da Luz
* Feteiras
* Ginetes
* Livramento
* Mosteiros
* Pilar da Bretanha
* Relva
* Remédios
* Santa Bárbara
* Santa Clara
* Santo António
* São José (Ponta Delgada)
* São Pedro (Ponta Delgada)
* São Roque
* São Sebastião (Ponta Delgada)
* São Vicente Ferreira
* Sete Cidades

Notable natives

*Antero de Quental (April 18, 1842 - September 11, 1891), a Portuguese poet [cite web| url=http://www.instituto-camoes.pt/CVC/figuras/aquental.html/ | title=Instituto Camões web-site.| work=Antero de Quental| accessdate=2007-04-10]
*Teófilo Braga (February 24, 1843 - January 28, 1924 in Lisbon), a Portuguese writer and the second president of Portugal
*Roberto Ivens (June 12, 1850 in the parish of São Pedro - January 28, 1898 in Dafundo, Lisbon), an African explorer.
*Pauleta (April 28, 1973 - ; born Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes), footballer and all-time leading goal scorer for the Portugal national team

References

External links

* [http://cm-pontadelgada.azoresdigital.pt/ Câmara Municipal de Ponta Delgada] - Official page of the city (in Portuguese)
* [http://www.gavilaphoto.com/pagina.aspx?categoria=16 Photos of Ponta Delgada]