Maia, Portugal

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Maia
image_coat_of_arms = MAI1.png

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Region = Norte
Subregion = Grande Porto
District = Porto
Mayor_name =
Mayor_party =
area_total = 83.70
population_total = 138,226 (2007)
population_density =
Parishes = 17
coor = 41°14'N 8°37'W
params = 41_14_N_8_37_W_
occasion =
day =
website = http://www.cm-maia.pt

Maia (pron. IPA2|'majɐ) is a parish ("freguesia"), a city and a municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area, "Grande Porto" subregion, in Norte region, Portugal. The city of Maia includes the parishes of Gueifães, Maia and Vermoim, and has 35,625 [ [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)] inhabitants. The Maia municipality comprises 120,744 inhabitants in 17 parishes for a total land area of 83.70 km². Maia parish proper, has a population of 9,816. Another important town in Maia municipality is Águas Santas with 25,249 people in conurbation with the municipality of Porto.

History

The area of the current municipality ("concelho") is inhabited since millennia ago. The human occupation dates from the Paleolithic. In many hills of the region, there were found remains of villages from the Iron Age. Attracted by rich soil and abundance of resources, the Romans also left out visible marks of their occupation. In the middle of the thirteenth century, the Lands of Maia (Terras da Maia) extended from the city of Porto until the Ave river and from the sea to the mountains. In 1304, however, the Lands of Maia (Terras da Maia) were incorporated into those of Porto, losing its political and administrative autonomy. In 1360, King Pedro I of Portugal gave the landlord of Azurara (in current Vila do Conde), with Lands of Maia, to the infant D. Dinis, hir son. The history of this municipality is also closely linked to the founding of the Portuguese nation. Some authors argue that even the Prince Afonso Henriques have been educated there, next to the family of Mendes da Maia, who belonged to the Archbishop of Braga D. Paio Mendes and the famous warrior Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, the "Lidador," so named for having entered into fearless struggle against the Saracens. In the Age of Discovery, the region of Maia produced candles and fabrics for use in the Portuguese caravels. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the King Manuel I of Portugal granted the charter, which provided the rent to be paid to the donee Reguengos of Maia, and regulated how to carry out punishments and courts. Between the years of 1700 and 1836, the county was composed of 44 parishes and encompassed the entire range between the sea and the Leça and Ave rivers. With administrative reforms initiated in 1836, Maia became a separate municipality, but reduced both in area and number of parishes. In 1857, the municipality of Maia was even extinct. It was necessary to wait until 1868 to see it restored. Maia municipality was crossed in 1809, the Napoleonic army of the Duke of Dalmatia, the Marshal Soult, which was going from Braga to Porto. Between 1832 and 1834, in the turbulent years of struggles and civil war opposing Miguel of Portugal to Pedro IV of Portugal, it was the scene of bloody battles between the absolutist and the liberal factions. In 1902, Maia received the status of vila (small town). Maia was granted city status ("cidade") in 23th August 1986.

Economy

Maia municipality is one of the most industrialized in the Norte region. Among its industries are Sonae Indústria, a leading wood-based products company; market leader for paint & coating products CIN; fruit processing company Frulact; and cereal processing company Cerealis, which are headquartered in the municipality. CEIIA - Centro para a Excelência e Inovação na Indústria Automóvel (auto industry innovation center), is located in TECMAIA (Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia da Maia complex), a science park situated in the Maia Industrial Zone. [ [http://www.ceiia.com CEIIA ] ]

Education

Maia has a comprehensive network of pre-school, primary, and secondary education. In addition, Maia is home of ISMAI - "Instituto Superior da Maia", a private institution of higher education awarding degrees in fields ranging from psychology to communication sciences to physical education & sports to accountancy to information systems & software.

ports

Maia is the hometown of two important sports organizations: the football club FC Maia, and the cycling team União Ciclista da Maia.

Transportation

In the parish of Moreira, Maia, in Pedras Rubras, is located the Porto international airport, Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (also known as "Pedras Rubras").

Parishes

The 17 parishes of Maia are:
* Águas Santas (Large urban area-Town)
* Barca
* Folgosa
* Gemunde
* Gondim
* Gueifães (Part of City of Maia)
* Maia(City of Maia/Central)
* Milheirós
* Moreira
* Nogueira
* Pedrouços
* Santa Maria de Avioso
* São Pedro de Avioso
* São Pedro Fins
* Silva Escura
* Vermoim (City of Maia)
* Vila Nova da Telha

References