Alenquer, Portugal

Alenquer is a portuguese municipality in the Lisbon District and in the Oeste region. The population in 2011 was 43,267, in an area of 304.22 km2. The present Mayor is Pedro Miguel Ferreira Folgado.

History
Alenquer received its Foral in 1212 by the hand of Infanta (Princess) Sancha, Lady of Alenquer, daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal.

Climate
Alenquer has a mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It has a total of 2763.9 annual hours of sunshine.

Notable residents

 * Pêro de Alenquer a 15th-century Portuguese explorer of the African coast
 * Damião de Góis (1502 in Alenquer – 1574) an important Portuguese humanist philosopher.
 * John Smith Athelstane, 1st Count of Carnota (1813-1886 in Alenquer) a British diplomat, author, biographer and painter.

Parishes
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes (freguesias):
 * Abrigada e Cabanas de Torres
 * Aldeia Galega da Merceana e Aldeia Gavinha
 * Alenquer (Santo Estêvão e Triana)
 * Carnota
 * Carregado e Cadafais
 * Meca
 * Olhalvo
 * Ota
 * Ribafria e Pereiro de Palhacana
 * Ventosa
 * Vila Verde dos Francos