Maia, Portugal
Encyclopedia
Maia Municipality (ˈmajɐ) is located 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 39,949 inhabitants. The Maia Municipality comprises 135,049 inhabitants in 17 parishes for a total land area of 83.70 km². Maia parish proper, has a population of 9,816. There are also 3 towns in the municipality: Moreira, Castêlo da Maia and Águas Santas. The last one has 27,463 people in conurbation
with the municipality of Porto
.
) 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 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
, his 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 has been educated here, next to the family of Mendes da Maia, who belonged to the Arcebishop of Braga D. Paio Mendes and the famous warrior Gonçalo Mendes da Maia
, the "Lidador" (today the hero of the city), so named for having entered into fearless struggle against the Saracen
s. 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 by 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.
, 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. Other industries include textiles, chemicals, mechanical equipment and food products (e.g. Ferbar - Fernando Barros Productos Alimentares, Lda.
, a major Portuguese wholesaler of food products). Sonae SGPS, owner of one of the largest hypermarket chains and the largest private employer in Portugal, is also headquartered in Maia. 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.
, 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. In addition, Maia's population is served by the major higher education institutions located in the neighbouring municipality of Porto, including the University of Porto
.
(also known as Pedras Rubras Airport) is located in the parish of Moreira, in Pedras Rubras. The municipality is also served by Metro do Porto (Porto's Metro).
Grande Porto
Grande Porto or Greater Porto is a Portuguese NUTS3 subregion, integrating the NUTS2 region of Norte, in Portugal.It corresponds to 11 municipalities out of 16, the other 5 in Entre Douro e Vouga Subregion that constitute the larger Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto, centered in the city of Porto....
subregion, in Norte Region, Portugal. The city of Maia
Maia (city)
Maia is a city in northern Portugal, located in Maia Municipality. It includes the parishes of Gueifães, Maia and Vermoim, and has 35,625 inhabitants.-History:In 1902, Maia received the status of vila...
includes the parishes of Gueifães, Maia and Vermoim, and has 39,949 inhabitants. The Maia Municipality comprises 135,049 inhabitants in 17 parishes for a total land area of 83.70 km². Maia parish proper, has a population of 9,816. There are also 3 towns in the municipality: Moreira, Castêlo da Maia and Águas Santas. The last one has 27,463 people in conurbation
Conurbation
A conurbation is a region comprising a number of cities, large towns, and other urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area...
with the municipality of Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
.
History
The area of the current municipality (concelhoConcelho
Concelho , in the Portuguese language, is the word municipality, when referring to the territory. The word município is used when municipality means the organ of State...
) is inhabited since millennia ago. The human occupation dates from the Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
. In many hills of the region, there were found remains of villages from the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. Attracted by rich soil and abundance of resources, the Romans
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
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 were incorporated into those of Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
, 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
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
, his 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 has been educated here, next to the family of Mendes da Maia, who belonged to the Arcebishop of Braga D. Paio Mendes and the famous warrior Gonçalo Mendes da Maia
Gonçalo Mendes da Maia
Gonçalo Mendes da Maia , also known as O Lidador , so named for his fearlessness in the struggle against the Saracens, was a Portuguese knight of the time of Afonso Henriques, about whom tradition relates important achievements in the events preceding the independence of Portugal...
, the "Lidador" (today the hero of the city), so named for having entered into fearless struggle against the Saracen
Saracen
Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
s. In the Age of Discovery
Age of Discovery
The Age of Discovery, also known as the Age of Exploration and the Great Navigations , was a period in history starting in the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century during which Europeans engaged in intensive exploration of the world, establishing direct contacts with...
, 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
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice 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 by the Napoleonic army of the Duke of Dalmatia, the Marshal Soult, which was going from Braga
Braga
Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
to Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
. Between 1832 and 1834, in the turbulent years of struggles and civil war opposing Miguel of Portugal
Miguel of Portugal
Dom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
to Pedro IV of Portugal, it was the scene of bloody battles between the absolutist and the liberal factions.
Economy
Maia Municipality is one of the most industrialized in the Norte Region. Among its industries are Sonae IndústriaSonae Indústria
Sonae Indústria is a manufacturer of engineered wood products, founded and headquartered in Maia, Portugal. Present in twelve countries within three continents, Sonae Indústria has a wide range of products, from simple board to complete construction systems, a large range of wood-based products...
, a leading wood-based products company; market leader for paint & coating products CIN
Corporação Industrial do Norte
CIN - Corporação Industrial do Norte S.A. is a Portuguese company that is the Iberian market leader for paint & coating products. The company was established in 1926 and is headquartered in Maia, Norte Region....
; fruit processing company Frulact
Frulact
Frulact - Ingredientes para a Indústria de Laticínios, Lda. is a food industry company specialized in fruit processing, headquartered in Maia, Portugal. Its aim is the manufacture of food products like fruit compounds for food industries. It has industrial and commercial facilities in Maia,...
; and cereal processing company Cerealis
Cerealis
Cerealis is a Portuguese food producer and the biggest milling company in Portugal, headquartered in Maia, and founded in 1919 as a cereal processing company...
, which are headquartered in the municipality. Other industries include textiles, chemicals, mechanical equipment and food products (e.g. Ferbar - Fernando Barros Productos Alimentares, Lda.
Ferbar
Ferbar - Fernando Barros, Produtos Alimentares, Lda or simply Ferbar, is a Portuguese company specialized on wholesale of food products, including canned vegetables, sauces, tomato products and canned fruits. The company, headquartered in Maia, Greater Porto subregion, is the leading brand on its...
, a major Portuguese wholesaler of food products). Sonae SGPS, owner of one of the largest hypermarket chains and the largest private employer in Portugal, is also headquartered in Maia. 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
Science park
A research park, science park, or science and technology park is an area with a collection of buildings dedicated to scientific research on a business footing. There are many approximate synonyms for "science park", including research park, technology park, technopolis and biomedical park...
situated in the Maia Industrial Zone.
Education
Maia has a comprehensive network of pre-school, primaryPrimary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
, and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
. In addition, Maia is home of ISMAI
ISMAI
ISMAI - Instituto Superior da Maia is an institute of higher education formed in 1990 in Maia, Portugal.Academic first degrees:Psychology,Psychosocial Counseling,Communication Sciences,Physical Education and Sports,Law ,...
- Instituto Superior da Maia, a private institution of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
awarding degrees in fields ranging from psychology to communication sciences to physical education & sports to accountancy to information systems & software. In addition, Maia's population is served by the major higher education institutions located in the neighbouring municipality of Porto, including the University of Porto
University of Porto
The University of Porto is a Portuguese public university located in Porto, and founded 22 March 1911. It is the largest Portuguese university by number of enrolled students and has one of the most noted research outputs in Portugal...
.
Transportation
The Porto International Airport, Francisco Sá Carneiro AirportFrancisco Sá Carneiro Airport
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport or simply Porto Airport is an international airport near Porto, Portugal. It is located approximately six miles northwest of Porto city centre, in the municipalities of Maia, Matosinhos and Vila do Conde and is run by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal...
(also known as Pedras Rubras Airport) is located in the parish of Moreira, in Pedras Rubras. The municipality is also served by Metro do Porto (Porto's Metro).
Cities and towns
- Maia (city)
- Águas SantasÁguas SantasÁguas Santas is a Portuguese parish located in the municipality of Maia. It has 31,000 inhabitants and an area of 7,86 square kilometers, making it one of the most densely populated towns in the Porto District...
(town) - Castêlo da MaiaCastelo da MaiaCastelo da Maia is a town in Maia, Grande Porto, Portugal....
(town) - Moreira (town)
Parishes
The 17 parishes of Maia are:- Águas SantasÁguas SantasÁguas Santas is a Portuguese parish located in the municipality of Maia. It has 31,000 inhabitants and an area of 7,86 square kilometers, making it one of the most densely populated towns in the Porto District...
(Town) - Barca (part of the town of Castêlo da Maia)
- Folgosa
- Gemunde (part of the town of Castêlo da Maia)
- Gondim (part of the town of Castêlo da Maia)
- Gueifães (part of the city)
- Maia (central part of the city)
- Milheirós
- Moreira (Town)
- Nogueira
- PedrouçosPedrouçosPedrouços is a Portuguese parish located in the municipality of Maia. It has a population of 11,868 inhabitants and a total area of 2.25 km²....
- Santa Maria de Avioso (part of the town of Castêlo da Maia)
- São Pedro de Avioso (part of the town of Castêlo da Maia)
- São Pedro Fins
- Silva Escura
- Vermoim (part of the city)
- Vila Nova da Telha
Famous inhabitants
- Gonçalo Mendes da MaiaGonçalo Mendes da MaiaGonçalo Mendes da Maia , also known as O Lidador , so named for his fearlessness in the struggle against the Saracens, was a Portuguese knight of the time of Afonso Henriques, about whom tradition relates important achievements in the events preceding the independence of Portugal...
, Portuguese knight of the 12th century. - Fernando Teixeira dos SantosFernando Teixeira dos SantosFernando Teixeira dos Santos , GOIH is a Portuguese economist and professor. He was Minister of Finance in the Portuguese Government led by José Sócrates .-Career:...
, former Minister of Finance of PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and former president of the Portuguese Securities Market CommissionPortuguese Securities Market CommissionThe Portuguese Securities Market Commission , also known by its initials CMVM, was established in April 1991 with the task of supervising and regulating securities and other financial instruments markets , as well as the activity of all those who operate within said markets...
(CMVM).