Sunday 1 November 2020

LEIRIA (PORTUGAL)


LEIRIA

N 39.7424; W 8.80551

Leiria is a Portuguese city, capital of the district of Leiria, in the province of Beira Litoral, the seat of the Intermunicipal Community of the Region of Leiria, in the Center of Portugal, with approximately 63 thousand inhabitants in its urban perimeter.
It is the seat of a municipality with 565.09 km² of area and 126 897 inhabitants (2011) subdivided into 18 parishes, which makes it the second-most populous municipality in Beiras, only surpassed by Coimbra. It is limited to the north/northeast by the municipality of Pombal, to the east by that of Ourém, to the south by the municipalities of Batalha and Porto de Mós, to the southwest by that of Alcobaça, to the west by the municipality of Marinha Grande and to the northwest by the Atlantic Ocean.
The historic cities of Ourém, Fátima, Pombal, and Coimbra are relatively close to Leira, as well as the seaside resort of Figueira da Foz, one of the main resorts in the region and Pedrógão beach. Other urban centers such as Entroncamento, Tomar, Torres Novas and Rio Maior, already in Ribatejo, are very close. The ports of Figueira da Foz and Peniche are about 50 km and 80 km away, respectively, about 170 km from the city of Porto and 136 km from the city of Lisbon.
The city of Leiria is located close to the western coast, in the central region of mainland Portugal, presenting a Mediterranean climate with an oceanic influence.
Thus, it presents cool and humid winters, counting on average 40 days of rain (330 mm) against 50 dry days and 5 hours of sunshine per day. Average temperatures vary between 15 ° C and 7 ° C. The springs are very pleasant, and the month of April is quite rainy. This season has an average of 43 rainy days (273 mm) against 47 dry days and 7 hours of sunshine per day. Average temperatures vary between 20 ° C and 11 ° C. Summers bring high temperatures and sun, with an average of 18 days of rain (77 mm) against 82 dry days and 9 hours of sun a day. Average temperatures vary between 27 ° C and 15 ° C, with the maximum reaching 35 ° C on warmer days. Autumns, though mild, sometimes plague the city with rain and wind and count on average 39 days of rain (339 mm) against 51 dry days and 6 hours of sunshine a day. Average temperatures vary between 21 ° C and 12 ° C.
Economy
The region thrives on commerce, agriculture, and industry, with an emphasis on the manufacture of ceramic, plastic, molds, and cement objects. Civil construction also plays an important role, as does tourism. The main economic sector is the tertiary, services sector. The glass factories in Marinha Grande also have great influences.