The Algarve is divided into four geographical areas, each of them with different beautiful landscapes:
The coastal region (Litoral) is where most of the regional economy is concentrated.
The Algarvian coast is very different. In the East (Sotavento = the wind side remote) there are long sandy beaches, lagoons and dunes. The West (Barlavento = downwind lying) is marked by the familiar reddish jagged cliffs with its picturesque bays. In this narrow strip near the coast there are also the tourist resorts and the larger cities.
The karst area (Barrocal) is a transition area between the coast and the hilly “Serra”.
It is in this zone that most of the agricultural products of the Algarve are produced, that’s why it is also called orchard of the Algarve, with lots of almonds, figs, carob, olive and citrus trees and a rainbow of flowers. The almond trees cover in January/ February the whole area with a sea of white and pink flowers. This area has still the most of the typical whitewashed houses, adorned with Moorish chimneys and water extraction wells, a relic from the days of the 500-year-long Moorish occupation of this area.
The outback, the "Serra" covers 50% of the Algarve.
It is an area with a chain of 300-500m high round hills which stretches like a petrified calm sea to the horizon. In the Northwest, in the Serra de Monchique, the highest elevations are the Picota (774m) and the Pico da Fóia (902m). This area has a moisture-resistant flora, so there are forests with eucalyptus, cork oaks and pine trees as well as mimosa, cistus, lavender and other flowering shrubs and flowers in abundance. The area is very sparsely populated, but it is still crossed by many roads and paths, mainly because of the cork which must be removed via these routes.
The West Coast (Costa Vicentina) extends along the Atlantic coast and begins west of Lagos in Burgau.
In 1988 the 75,000 ha area was converted into a natural park, with a length of 80km. Many unique biotopes are visited by zoologists and botanists from all over the world. The several types of landscapes, such as rocks with steep and rugged cuts, beaches, numerous small islands and reefs are habitats for a variety of different species. The whole area is still a natural area and it is little worked out in touristic terms.
Historical
Not only the landscape is very varied, but also the traces of the past tell a colourful history. Many cultures, such as the Celts, the Romans and the Moors have conquered the land and left their mark. Many excavations and medieval fortresses can still be seen today.
There are also witnesses from the time of the most important voyages of the Discoveries, in the 14th to the 16th Century. Sagres was, at that time, the most important seafaring school, founded by Henry, the Navigator and which, inter alia, Columbus also was taught. The Algarve was one of the most important trading hubs during this time.
The beginning of the 18th Century saw many opulent churches which were financed from gold and diamond deposits in the colonies and are also still visible everywhere.
With the devastating earthquake of 1755 many buildings and important monuments were destroyed in the Algarve, against all odds, much has been rebuilt from the "Algarvios" and made the Algarve to what it is today.
There are also witnesses from the time of the most important voyages of the Discoveries, in the 14th to the 16th Century. Sagres was, at that time, the most important seafaring school, founded by Henry, the Navigator and which, inter alia, Columbus also was taught. The Algarve was one of the most important trading hubs during this time.
The beginning of the 18th Century saw many opulent churches which were financed from gold and diamond deposits in the colonies and are also still visible everywhere.
With the devastating earthquake of 1755 many buildings and important monuments were destroyed in the Algarve, against all odds, much has been rebuilt from the "Algarvios" and made the Algarve to what it is today.
