Marinhais

Marinhais
—  Parish  —
Country	Portugal
Municipality	Salvaterra de Magos
Area
- Total	38.74 km2 (15 sq mi)
Population
- Total	5,969
- Density	154.1/km2 (399.1/sq mi)
Website	http://www.marinhais.com/

Marinhais is a parish of the Salvaterra de Magos municipality in Portugal, with a total area of 38.74km², and a total population of 5,969 inhabitants according to the 2001 census.

For centuries this land was named "Foros de Muge", since all the terrains belonged to the Muge parish but were uncultivated. The "camarinheiros" (Corema album) — shrubs of the Empetraceae family which produce small, red, inedible fruits called "camarinhas" — were so abundant that the original name Foros de Muge was gradually renamed to "Camarinhais" by king Miguel of Portugal and his party on deer hunting trips in the municipality.

It is difficult to trace an historic evolution of Marinhais, because its first inhabitants were not locals but rather immigrants from the north of the country, namely from the municipalities of Pombal, Soure and Cantanhede. As main historic marks, the year 1875 is noted as the probable construction date of the S. Michael Archanjel chappel (Capela de S. Miguel Arcanjo). The inauguration of the railroad station in 1902 was another notable occurrence, with the presence of king Carlos of Portugal. It is unknown if whether by disfigurement of the original name Camarinhais, or with the purpose of simplifying it, the village was finally named "Marinhais". Finally, in 1927 Marinhais was proclaimed a parish.

Coordinates: 39°03′N 8°42′W / 39.05°N 8.7°W / 39.05; -8.7