Capelas

Capelas (pron. IPA2|kɐ'pɛlɐʃ; Portuguese for chapels) is a parish in the northern part of the municipality of Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The population in 2001 is 3,759, its density is 223.2/km² and the area is 16.84 km². It is located in the northern part of the island of São Miguel and is connected by roads linking Mosteiros and Ribeira Grande. The mountains which are covered with lovely trees are to the southwest while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the north. The main industry is agriculture. Farmlands dominate the north and east while the mountainous areas cover the rest of Capelas.

Nearest parishes

*Santo António, west
*Feteiras, southwest
*Relva, southwest
*Arrifes, south
*Covoada, south
*São Vicente Ferreira, east

Geography

*Altitude: 1 m

History

The parish was founded on February 12, 1592 from carta regia of King Phillip II of Spain (Phillip I of Portugal). A church was built in the 16th century. Capelas became a village under Carta de Lei in July 3, 1839. The municipality never have full control. Since 1855, the parish is part of Ponta Delgada.

Information and Other

Capelas has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasium and a square ("praça"). Capelas also has a small port. In the first half of the 20th century, a scaffolding whaleboat in the vicinity of the port (Poços), an oil and a flour factory was built which are now in ruins.

External links

*http://www.azoren-online.com/saomiguel/tipps/sehenswuerdigkeiten/capelas/index.shtml (in German)