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Peniche (Portugal)

Peniche
Municipality
Flag of Peniche
Flag
LocalPeniche.svg
Coordinates: 39°21′N 9°22′W / 39.350°N 9.367°W / 39.350; -9.367Coordinates: 39°21′N 9°22′W / 39.350°N 9.367°W / 39.350; -9.367
Country  Portugal
Region Centro
Subregion Oeste
Intermunic. comm. Oeste
District Leiria
Parishes 4
Government
 • President António José Correia (CDU)
Area
 • Total 77.55 km2 (29.94 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 27,753
 • Density 360/km2 (930/sq mi)
Time zone WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)
Website http://www.cm-peniche.pt

Peniche (Portuguese pronunciation: [pˈniʃ]) is a seaside municipality and a city in Portugal. It is located in Oeste Subregion in formerly Estremadura Province. The population in 2011 was 27,753, in an area of 77.55 km2. The city proper has about 15,600 inhabitants.

The present mayor is António José Correia, elected by the Unitarian Democratic Coalition.

The city was built on a rocky peninsula which is considered by geologists a unique example of the Toarcian turnover during the worldwide Early Jurassic extinction.

Peniche is known for its long beaches, which are popular for recreational activities and sports such as surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding and kite surfing. These beaches are consistently windy and have good surf breaks with supertubos, i.e., waves forming fast and powerful tubes, considered among the best in Europe. The area has been called the "European Pipeline", after the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii.

The Berlengas islands, about 10 kilometres (6 mi) offshore from the peninsula, are part of the municipality. They form one of the world's first nature reserves. In summer, the islands can be visited by taking a ferryboat from Peniche.

Peniche, with its scenic harbour, white windmills, chapels and long sandy beaches has inspired famous artists like Maurice Boitel.


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