FIGUEIRA DA FOZ

figueira da foz, or figueira, a seaport of central portugal, in the district of coimbra, formerly included in the province of beira; on the north bank of the river mondego, at its mouth, and at the terminus of the lisbon-figueira and guarda-figueira railways. pop. (1900) 6221. figueira da foz is an important fishing-station, and one of the headquarters of the coasting trade in grain, fruit, wine, olive oil, cork and coal; but owing to the bar at the mouth of the mondego large ships cannot enter. glass is manufactured, and the city attracts many visitors by its excellent climate and sea-bathing. a residential suburb, the bairro novo, exists chiefly for their accommodation, to the north-west of the old town. figueira is connected by a tramway running 4 m. n. w. with buarcos (pop. 5033) and with the coal-mines of cape mondego. lavos (pop. 7939), on the south bank of the mondego, was the principal landing-place of the british troops which came, in 1808, to take part in the peninsular war. figueira da foz received the title and privileges of city by a decree dated the 20th of september 1882.