Alcochete

Infobox_Municipality_pt
official_name = Alcochete


image_coat_of_arms = ACH.png

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Region = Lisboa
Subregion = Península de Setúbal
District = Setúbal
Mayor_name = Luís Franco
Mayor_party = CDU
area_total = 129.0
population_total = 14,347
population_density = 111
Parishes = 3
coor = 38º45'N 08º58'W
params = 38_45_N_8_58_W
occasion = Saint John
day = June 24
website = http://www.cm-alcochete.pt
footnotes =

Alcochete (pron. IPA2|aɫku'ʃet(ɨ)) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 129.0 km² and a total population of 14,347 inhabitants. The municipality is composed of 3 parishes and is located in the district of Setúbal. Alcochete is the site of Sporting's academy.

The present mayor is Luís Franco, elected by the Unitarian Democratic Coalition.

The municipal holiday is June 24.

The largest outlet mall in the Iberian Peninsula is just outside town. Alcochete is known for its bullfighting tradition and its proximity to the longest bridge in Europe, the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The actual site of today Alcochete was already occupied during Roman times with a clay production facility. It's name is thought to derive from the arabic word for oven for reasons not yet understood. It became a vacation site preferred by the portuguese royalty and the future king D. Manuel I was born in the village. It has experienced major development due to the construction of the Vasco da Gama bridge.

On January 10 2008, Portuguese prime minister José Sócrates announced that Alcochete has been selected as the site of the new airport serving Lisbon, Portugal's capital. [ [http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/01/10/afx4516319.html Portugal's new Lisbon airport to be built in Alcochete for 4.9 bln eur - PM] from Forbes online, January 10 2008] The existing Portela Airport, which is located within the city of Lisbon itself, has become too small to handle demand. This preliminary decision will be finalised after public consultation. The location of Alcochete as the construction site of the future Lisbon Airport was confirmed by the Portuguese Government on 8 May, 2008 [ [http://www.portugal.gov.pt/Portal/PT/Governos/Governos_Constitucionais/GC17/Conselho_de_Ministros/Comunicados_e_Conferencias_de_Imprensa/20080508.htm Portal do Governo ] ] .

Parishes

* Alcochete (São João Baptista)
* Samouco
* São Francisco

External links

* [http://www.cm-alcochete.pt/ Town Hall official website]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitor107/sets/72057594052346421/ Photos from ALCOCHETE]

References