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Alentejo Description
The Alentejo is the largest region in Portugal. It owns vast open countryside
landscape with undulating plains, rich fertile soil and an unspoilt west coast
with fantastic natual beaches. With very few exceptions all the major towns are
mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock and wood. Typical products from this
area are grain, sunflower, carthame, fruit, vegetables, olives, wines, cork,
eucalyptus, lamb, pigs, kid, granite, schist and marble.
Topographically the countryside varies considerably, from the open rolling
plains of the south of the Alentejo to the granite hills that border Spain in
the north-east. To feed the water needs of this considerable area a number of
public dams have been constructed. In the heart of the productive agriculture
zone of Moura, there is the largest dam in Portugal also and one of the largest
water surface areas in Europe. To the east of Portalegre is the Parque Natural
da Serra de São Mamede, a fascinating Nature Park Area that includes charming
medieval villages that have changed little from those days. In the south near
Mértola is another Nature Park Area named Parque Natural do Vale Guadiana. This
is mainly uninhabited and is a contrast to the previous one. To the west, the
coastal strip that runs from the port of Sines down to Cape de São Vicente is
also a reserved area with kilometres of sandy beaches.
The capital of the "Baixo Alentejo" (South Alentejo) region is Beja, and the
capital of the Alto Alentejo (North Alentejo) is Évora. Both these cities are
rich in their history, ruins and historic buildings. Their stories reflect the
turbulent backgrounds of invasion, battles and occupation, either by Romans,
Vandals, Moors, or feuding royal families within Portugal.
An very interesting way to see and feel the true culture and history of this
region is to stay in some of the various Pousadas, most of which are steeped in
local atmosphere and with historic architecture of the region.
Alentejo Map (Click Here)
Alentejo Weather
     
Alentejo Information
 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Alentejo Beaches
Praia de Almograve
Praia
Atlântica
Praia
Tróia-Mar
Praia
Aberta-Nova
Praia da
Comporta
Praia do
Carvalhal
Praia do
Pego
Praia
Costa de Santo André
Praia da
Fonte do Cortiço
Praia de Mil Fontes
Praia do
Morgavel
Praia
Grande de Porto Côvo
Praia
Ilha do Pessegueiro
Praia Mina de São Domingos |
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Portugal Golf
