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- Coimbra (1970 est. pop., 56,000) is the capital of Coimbra
- district and of Beira Litoral province in west-central
- Portugal. Located on the Mondego River, about 224 km (139 mi)
- northeast of Lisbon, Coimbra has a mild climate, with
- temperatures averaging 4 deg C (40 deg F) in January and 21 deg
- C (70 deg F) in July. Rainfall is about 890 mm (35 in)
- annually. Coimbra is a distribution center for the surrounding
- agricultural region, and industries include ceramics, textiles,
- wine, and beer. The University of Coimbra is !PORTUGAL!Portugal~'s oldest
- university; it was founded in Lisbon in 1290 and permanently
- moved to Coimbra in 1537. Other historical landmarks include
- the cathedral (1170) and the 12th-century churches of Sao
- Salvador and Santa Cruz. Called Aeminium by the Romans, Coimbra
- was a Moorish stronghold in the 8th and 9th centuries. After
- Ferdinand I of Castile captured the area in 1064, Coimbra
- served as a headquarters for the reconquest of !PORTUGAL!Portugal~ from
- the Moors. It later served (1139-1260) as the capital of
- !PORTUGAL!Portugal~.
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