Cedros (Horta)

Cedros is a parish in the northern part of the municipality of Horta on the island of Faial in the Azores. The population as of 2001 was approximately 1,048, its density is 50.8/km² and the area is 20.63 km². Cedros is the northernmost parish on the island. It is located 19 km northwest of Horta and is linked via the EN 1-1a Regional Road to the rest of the island. The tree-covered hills and pasturelands cover the area towards the interior, and hedged farmlands extend to the Atlantic coastline. The population is comparable in size to other parishes on the island, though this has decreased by 50% since the 1950s (when there were approximately 2000 habitants).

Geography

*Location: Northern Parish, Faial Island
**Latitude: 37. (37°50') N
**Longitude: 25. (25°49') W-->

*Altitude: Sea level to 927 m
**Lowest: Atlantic Ocean
**Centre: 500 m
**Highest: 927 m (edge of Cabeço Gordo)

Cedros is one of the largest parishes on the island. It is bordered on the east by Salão and west by Praia do Norte and extends from the coast to the centre of the island (and the Cabeço Gordo volcano). Apart from the rich pasturelands and hedged-fields towards Alto do Inverno, Alto do Rigo or Cabeça da Vaca, the coastal cliffs are approximately 75 m to 271 m above sea level (the highest coastal altitude in this parish being near Riberia Funda). The region is intersected by several rivers and valley creeks including Riberia Funda ("the Deep River-Valley"), Riberia Pinheiro and Ribeira Sousa, which are usually dry throughout most of the year.

The population is concentrated along the Regional EN 1-1a Road that extends around the island. Praça (or "Village Square") is the centre of Cedros, although smaller "neighborhoods" include Porto de Eira, Cabeço, Cascalho, Covões and Riberia Funda are also important communities. Uphill, a secondary road (linked to the EN 1-1a by Canada da Sousa, Rua de Igreja and Canada do Vale) connects the "neighborhoods" of Canto, Janalves and Miragaia (colloquially known as "Rua de Cima"). Each of these neighborhoods has their own distinctions, and some include their own local pubs or community markets (mercearias).

History

The origin of the name "Cedros" comes from the local cedars found in the pasturelands and forests of the area, most notably the "Juniperus brevifolia". The village was founded in 1594 by settlers from Terceira Island, as well as several settlers/families from Spain. This date is conjecture, based on evidence found during the reconstruction of the Paroquial Church of Santa Barbara (Igreja de Santa Bárbara) in 1971.

Other references to the history of Cedros include Father Gaspar Frutuoso, a celebrated historian, priest and humanist best known for his six-part tome "Saudades da Terra" that documented the genealogy and history of the Azores archipelago. After the Third Dynasty, with Portugal's independence from Spain, most of the Spanish living in the parish (which included Salão at the time) were expelled. By 1643, Friar Diogo de Chagas claimed the parish inhabited by 2126 people. This number may have changed: in 1717 and 1718 an epidemic ravaged the parish.

Economy

The main economy in this area is agriculture. The soil of the parish is fertile allowing the cultivation of various legumes and grains. Wheat, corn, beans, potatoes and sweet potatoes have been agricultural crops in the region. The dairy industry is the predominant source of income; CALF (Cooperativa Agrícola dos Lactícinios do Faial) is the principal business located in Cascalho, and responsible for the production and packaging of cheese and butter under the "Ilha Azul" label.

Tourism is considered the second industry in the region. "Rural Tourism", highlighted by the Nucleo Etnografico dos Cedros and several renovated cottages, attracts visitors to this northern coast village. Currently, the Museum is in disuse, and most of the exhibits have been placed "in storage".

External links

*http://www.azoren-online.com/faial/tipps/sehenswuerdigkeiten/cedros/index.shtml (in German)