The district of Setúbal is located mostly in the Region of Lisbon and Setúbal, on the Atlantic coast, at south of the Tagus River and with 4 of its 13 counties integrated in the Alentejo region. The area of the district is 5064 km ², with a resident population of 815,858 inhabitants in 2006.
The Bay of Setúbal, belongs since 14 Th November of 2002, to the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, due to the quality and heritage values, environmental and cultural that disaposes. The resident population in the district in 2006, was of 815,858 inhabitants, in an area of 5064 km2.
The district of Setúbal has areas of high touristic interest and landscaping, emphasizing the Serra da Arrábida, the monument of Christ the King, in Almada, the beaches of the Costa da Caparica, the fishing village of Sesimbra, the Portinho da Arrábida, the Roman Ruins of Miróbriga, in Santiago do Cacém, the city of Vila Nova de Santo André and the Peninsula of Troia.
It also highlights the Church and the Convent of Jesus, the Castle of São Filipe, the Santiago do Outão Fort, the Albarquel Fort and the Walls of Setúbal.
The capital of the district, is Setúbal, a city that is located at the mouth of the Sado River, inserted on the denominated Costa Azul, being an important port and trade zone. One of the principal activities of the city, is the fishing, with a care historic center, traditional trade areas and pedestrian streets.
The region's gastronomic identity, asserts in the fish dishes, between them it highlights, the cuttlefish fried, the cuttlefish feijoada, the stew, the soup of the sea and the monkfish stuck. There are also a variety of cooked fish dishes, as the sardines and the mackerel, the sole, the mullet, as well as clams, shrimp and crab.
It also highlights the cheese of Azeitão, considered one of the great Portuguese cheeses. In the sweet area, it highlights the esses of Azeitão, the litle cheeses and the pies.
At the cultural level, stands out in the district, the Sant`iago Fair, an exposition which exists for more than four centuries, continuing to be the principal exposition of its kind in the region, which joins the crafts to entertainment, as well the musical performances and the Festroia, the International Film Festival of Setúbal, existing since 1985, being one of the most important Portuguese cultural events.
The biggest historical symbols of Setúbal, are Luisa Todi, the Portuguese half soprano most known of all the time, born in Setúbal, in 1753 and the poet Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, also born in Setúbal, in 1765.
