Prazeres, Madeira
Encyclopedia
Prazeres is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese
archipelago of Madeira
. The population in 2001 was 672 inhabitants, covering an area of 10 km² that extend into the interior to Paul da Serra from the coastal fajãs of Jardim do Mar
and Paul do Mar
(its density was 67 inhabitants per square kilometre). Prazeres is located along the main Regional 222 Roadway, linking it to Fajã da Ovelha
and Estreito da Calheta
. Agriculture continues to be the driving activity in the region, although commercial establishments are scattered within the community.
Historically a part of Estreito da Calheta, this region became independent, along with some homes in Fajã da Ovelha on 18 December 1676.
and Fajã da Ovelha
. Physically, it extends from the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Atlantic Ocean into the interior to the Serra do Paul. In addition, upon reaching its pinnacle in the interior (1276 metres) the border continues down the river-valley of the Ribeira da Janela. Most of the community, the built-up residential, commercial and productive buildings of the parish, are located on a main promontory overlooking the fajã (coastal debris field) of the parish of Jardim do Mar
. Similarly, this area is the primary agricultural lands accessed by ancillary roads that extend almost to the edge of the cliffs. Starting in the area of the Regional Roadway 222 the terrain is more inclined, and forested until reaching the Serra do Paul.
Prazeres has a primary and secondary school, a church, a central square and a small petting zoo
.
The parish has seven restaurants, serving typical traditional delicacies (such as cod) or other customary foods, such as Italian pizzas, lasagnas or pasta dishes. A popular drink, Poncha da Madeira, is a traditional liquer drink made from lemon or orange brandy, and common in many of these restaurants.
Portugal
Portugal , 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...
archipelago of Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
. The population in 2001 was 672 inhabitants, covering an area of 10 km² that extend into the interior to Paul da Serra from the coastal fajãs of Jardim do Mar
Jardim do Mar
Jardim do Mar is a civil parish in the western part of the municipality of Calheta in the archipelago of Madeira...
and Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta, in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. The population in 2001 was 885 in an coastal area of , with a density of less than 632 inhabitants per kilometre square.-History:...
(its density was 67 inhabitants per square kilometre). Prazeres is located along the main Regional 222 Roadway, linking it to Fajã da Ovelha
Fajã da Ovelha
Fajã da Ovelha ) is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. In 2001, the population was approximately 1016 inhabitants, dispersed in semi-forested pastureland in an area of 24 km²...
and Estreito da Calheta
Estreito da Calheta
Estreito da Calheta is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the archipelago of Madeira. The population in 2001 was 1,630, in an area 13.4 km² ....
. Agriculture continues to be the driving activity in the region, although commercial establishments are scattered within the community.
History
The toponomic name for the parish developed due to the existence of a small chapel in the area before the creation of the parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres (Our Lady of Pleasures). The reference to pleasure came from local references to an area that captivated the senses and the areas symbiosis with earthly pleasures.Historically a part of Estreito da Calheta, this region became independent, along with some homes in Fajã da Ovelha on 18 December 1676.
Geography
Prazeres is central parish within the municipality of Calheta, juxtopositioned between Estreito da CalhetaEstreito da Calheta
Estreito da Calheta is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the archipelago of Madeira. The population in 2001 was 1,630, in an area 13.4 km² ....
and Fajã da Ovelha
Fajã da Ovelha
Fajã da Ovelha ) is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. In 2001, the population was approximately 1016 inhabitants, dispersed in semi-forested pastureland in an area of 24 km²...
. Physically, it extends from the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Atlantic Ocean into the interior to the Serra do Paul. In addition, upon reaching its pinnacle in the interior (1276 metres) the border continues down the river-valley of the Ribeira da Janela. Most of the community, the built-up residential, commercial and productive buildings of the parish, are located on a main promontory overlooking the fajã (coastal debris field) of the parish of Jardim do Mar
Jardim do Mar
Jardim do Mar is a civil parish in the western part of the municipality of Calheta in the archipelago of Madeira...
. Similarly, this area is the primary agricultural lands accessed by ancillary roads that extend almost to the edge of the cliffs. Starting in the area of the Regional Roadway 222 the terrain is more inclined, and forested until reaching the Serra do Paul.
Prazeres has a primary and secondary school, a church, a central square and a small petting zoo
Petting zoo
A petting zoo features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms or petting farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo...
.
Culture
The Clube Desportivo e Recreativo dos Prazeres (Sports and Recreational Club of Prazeres) is the local sports association, supporting athletes in many different areas (such as Futsal, badminton, gymnastics and/or athletics). The Sports Club is located in the eastern part of the parish, along with the main athletic field and air conditioned sports pavilion.The parish has seven restaurants, serving typical traditional delicacies (such as cod) or other customary foods, such as Italian pizzas, lasagnas or pasta dishes. A popular drink, Poncha da Madeira, is a traditional liquer drink made from lemon or orange brandy, and common in many of these restaurants.