BEIRA

a province of Portugal, bounded chiefly by the river Douro on the N., by Spain on the B., by the Tagus and Portuguese Estremadura on the s., and by the Atlantic on the w. Its extent is computed at 9244 square miles, and the pop. in 1868 was 1,288,994. Beira contains seven episcopal cities, and about 230 other towns: the chief one is Coimbra (which see). It is mountainous, being traversed by the Serra d'Estrella, and well watered by the Douro, Tagus, Agnada^ and Mondego. Though not fertile in grain, the produce of wine and olives is considerable. The heir-apparent of the crown is styled Prince of Beira. BEIRAM. See Bairasl BEIT-EL-FAKIH, a town, Arabia, Yemen, 32 miles 8.8.E. of Hodeidah, and 77 K.S. of Mocha. It i« without walla, but has a strong castle. It is celebrated for its trade in Mocha coffee, which is chiefly grown in the neighbourhood. Merchants from Persia, Ru ia, and Turkey visit the town for the purpose of purchasing the coffee. Pop. 8000. The word Beitf signifying a house or hut, is prefixed to the name of various other small towns and villages in Arabia.