Algarve

Algarve
Distrito de Faro
Region
Algarve's typical coast near Lagoa
Name origin: algarve, from the Arabic (الغرب or al-gharb) for the west
Country Portugal
Region Algarve
Capital Faro
 - elevation 11 m (36 ft)
 - coordinates 37°0′52″N 7°56′7″W / 37.01444°N 7.93528°WCoordinates: 37°0′52″N 7°56′7″W / 37.01444°N 7.93528°W
Highest point Fóia
 - elevation 902 m (2,959 ft)
Lowest point Sea level
 - location Atlantic Ocean
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 4,996.80 km2 (1,929 sq mi)
Population 451,006 (2011)
Density 90 / km2 (233 / sq mi)
Timezone WET (UTC+0)
 - summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1)
NUTS PT15
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
– Total €7.381 billion[1]
– Per capita €17,000[1]
Location of the Algarve Region in context of the national borders
Wikimedia Commons: Algarve
Website: amal.pt
Statistics from INE (2005); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)

The Algarve (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɫˈɡaɾv(ɨ)], from Arabic: الغرب‎, trans. Al-Gharb, meaning "The West") is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. It has an area of 4,997 square kilometres (1,929 sq mi)[2] with 451,006[3] permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities.[4] The region has as its administrative centre the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport (FAO) and public university (the University of the Algarve) are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Production of food, which includes fish and other seafood, fruit, oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, is also economically important in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and one of the most popular in Europe. Its population triples in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 7 million foreign tourists each year. In total, including national visitors, almost 10 million people visit the Algarve annually.

The Algarve is currently the third richest region in Portugal, after Lisbon and Madeira, with a GDP per capita 86% of the European Union average.[5]

History

Estácio da Veiga's 1878 Archeological map of the Algarve
The city of Silves. Silves was the capital of the Algarve during Moorish rule.
The walls of the ancient town of Lagos.

Human presence in southern Portugal dates back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. The presence of megalithic stones in the area of Vila do Bispo attests to this presence.

The Conii, influenced by Tartessos, were established by the sixth century BC in the region of the Algarve. They would be strongly influenced by the Celtici. The Phoenicians had established trading ports along the coast circa 1000 BC. The Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis – known today as Portimão in about 550 BC. The Romans in the 2nd century BC spread through the Iberian Peninsula, and many Roman ruins can still be seen in the region, notably in Lagos. Roman bath complexes and fish salting tanks have been found near the shore in several locations, for example the ones near Vilamoura and Praia da Luz.

In the 5th century the Visigoths took control of the Algarve until the beginning of the Muslim conquest in 711. When the Moors conquered Lagos in 716 it was called Zawaia. Faro, which the Christian residents had called Santa Maria, was renamed Faraon, which means "the settlement of the Knights." Due to the Moorish conquest of Iberia, the region was called Gharb Al-Andalus; Al-Gharb (الغرب) means "the west", while Al-Andalus is the Arabic name of Muslim Iberia. But, for several years, the town of Silves was the capital of the region under Moorish rule.

In the mid-12th century, during the Reconquista, the Kingdom of Portugal conquered the region in a series of successful military campaigns against the Moors. The "Al-Gharb" became the Kingdom of the Algarve, but battles with Islamic forces persisted. It was not until the 13th century that the Portuguese finally secured the region against the subsequent Muslim attempts to recapture the area. King Afonso III of Portugal started calling himself King of Portugal and the Algarve. After 1471, with the conquest of several territories in Northern Africa (the area considered an extension of the Algarve) Afonso V of Portugal began fashioning himself as the King of Portugal and the Algarves (referring to the European and African possessions). Prior to the independence of Brazil, the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (1815–1822) was an official designation for Portugal which also alluded to the Algarve. Portuguese monarchs continued used this title until the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. Between 1595 and 1808, the Algarve was a semi-autonomous area of Portugal with its own governor, as well as a separate taxation system..

In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator based himself near Lagos and conducted various maritime expeditions which established Portugal as a colonial power. It was also from Lagos that Gil Eanes set sail in 1434 to become the first seafarer to round Cape Bojador in West Africa. The voyages of discovery brought Lagos fame and fortune. Trade flourished and Lagos became the capital of the historical province of Algarve in 1577 and remained so until after 1755, the year of the fabled Lisbon earthquake. The earthquake damaged many areas in the Algarve and an accompanying tsunami destroyed or damaged coastal fortresses, while coastal towns and villages were heavily damaged (except Faro, which was protected by the sandy banks of Ria Formosa lagoon). In Lagos, the waves reached the top of the city walls. For many Portuguese coastal regions, including the Algarve, the destructive effects of the tsunami were more disastrous than those of the earthquake proper.

In 1807, while Junot led the first Napoleonic invasion in the north of Portugal, the Algarve was occupied by Spanish troops under Manuel Godoy. Beginning in 1808, and after subsequent battles in various towns and villages, the region was the first to drive out the Spanish occupiers.

In 1910, with the Portuguese First Republic, the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarve ceased to exist as such.

Geography

A panoramic view from the highest point of the mountain range of Monchique.

The Algarve covers 4997 square km,[2] extending just south of the Tagus valley to the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Its highest point is Fóia, 902 metres (2,959 ft), in the mountain range of Monchique. It also includes some islands and islets. The region is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 170 square kilometres and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds. The length of the south-facing coastline is approximately 155 kilometres. Beyond the westernmost point of Cape St. Vincent it stretches a further 50 kilometres to the north. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat.

Climate

The maximum recorded temperatures in the Algarve fluctuate between 25 °C (77 °F) in winter and 48 °C (118 °F) in summer, with the temperature almost never falling below zero in the winter months. The winter of 2008/2009 was exceptionally cold and wet. Temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) were recorded in coastal areas for the first time in many years.

Climate data for Faro
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.9
(71.4)		 24.7
(76.5)		 28.9
(84)		 30.1
(86.2)		 33.6
(92.5)		 37.1
(98.8)		 44.3
(111.7)		 39.6
(103.3)		 37.4
(99.3)		 33.3
(91.9)		 28.6
(83.5)		 24.0
(75.2)		 44.3
(111.7)
Average high °C (°F) 16.1
(61)		 16.9
(62.4)		 19.1
(66.4)		 20.4
(68.7)		 22.8
(73)		 26.4
(79.5)		 29.2
(84.6)		 28.8
(83.8)		 26.6
(79.9)		 23.2
(73.8)		 19.6
(67.3)		 17.0
(62.6)		 22.2
(72)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.0
(53.6)		 12.8
(55)		 14.8
(58.6)		 16.1
(61)		 18.4
(65.1)		 21.9
(71.4)		 24.2
(75.6)		 24.1
(75.4)		 22.3
(72.1)		 19.3
(66.7)		 15.7
(60.3)		 13.3
(55.9)		 17.9
(64.2)
Average low °C (°F) 7.9
(46.2)		 8.7
(47.7)		 10.5
(50.9)		 11.8
(53.2)		 14.0
(57.2)		 17.3
(63.1)		 19.1
(66.4)		 19.4
(66.9)		 18.0
(64.4)		 15.3
(59.5)		 11.7
(53.1)		 9.6
(49.3)		 13.6
(56.5)
Record low °C (°F) −1.2
(29.8)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 2.3
(36.1)		 3.6
(38.5)		 6.7
(44.1)		 8.0
(46.4)		 11.9
(53.4)		 13.1
(55.6)		 9.9
(49.8)		 7.8
(46)		 2.7
(36.9)		 1.2
(34.2)		 −1.2
(29.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 59.3
(2.335)		 52.0
(2.047)		 39.4
(1.551)		 38.6
(1.52)		 21.7
(0.854)		 4.3
(0.169)		 1.8
(0.071)		 3.9
(0.154)		 23.2
(0.913)		 60.1
(2.366)		 90.4
(3.559)		 114.1
(4.492)		 508.8
(20.031)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 12 13 9 10 7 4 1 1 3 9 10 11 90
Mean monthly sunshine hours 170.5 165.2 232.5 252.0 313.1 333.0 368.9 353.4 273.0 226.3 183.0 167.4 3,038.3
Source: Instituto de Meteorologia,[6] World Meteorological Organization[7] (precipitation days), Hong Kong Observatory[8](sunshine hours)
The Algarve coast, seen from a height of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) above sea level.
The world famous Marinha Beach with the sea and rock outcroppings.

Human geography

There are about 450,000 permanent inhabitants (90 residents per square kilometre) in the area, although this figure increases to over a million people at the height of summer, due to an influx of tourists. The Algarve has several cities, towns and villages: the region's capital is the city of Faro, while other cities include Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Portimão, Quarteira, Silves, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António, in addition to various summer retreats such as Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha, Armação de Pêra, Alvor, Monte Gordo, Tavira, and Sagres.

Before 2004, the Faro District was the administrative unit governing the Algarve. In 2004 the Greater Metropolitan Area of the Algarve was formed, which was converted into an intermunicipal community in 2008.[9] Algarve is also a NUTS II and NUTS III statistical region. The intermunicipal community of Algarve is subdivided into 16 municipalities:[4]

Municipality Population (2011)[3] Area (km²)[2]
Albufeira 40,828 140.66
Alcoutim2,917 575.36
Aljezur 5,884 323.50
Castro Marim 6,747 300.84
Faro 64,560 202.57
Lagoa 22,975 88.25
Lagos 31,049 212.99
Loulé 70,622 763.67
Monchique 6,045 395.30
Olhão 45,396 130.86
Portimão 55,614 182.06
São Brás de Alportel 10,662 153.37
Silves 37,126 680.06
Tavira 26,167 606.97
Vila do Bispo 5,258 179.06
Vila Real de Santo António 19,156 61.25
Total 451,006 4996.80

Economy

A complex of apartments overlooking the beach in Praia da Rocha, Portimão. The Algarve relies heavily on the tourism industry.
A panoramic view of Faro, the capital of the Algarve.
Algarve has some of Europe′s Top Golf Courses

Agricultural products of the region include fig, almond, orange, carob bean, strawberry tree and cork oak. Horticulture is important and the region's landscape was known for the large areas of land covered with plastic greenhouses which are used for that end. Fishing and aquaculture are important activities in the coastal area of Algarve, with sardines, soles, cyprinids, gilt-head bream and various seafood, including the grooved carpet shell, being the major productions. Algarve's wines are also renowned. There are four wines in the region which have Protected Designation of Origin (Denominação de Origem Controlada – DOC): Lagoa DOC, Lagos DOC, Portimão DOC and Tavira DOC. Food processing, cement and construction, are the main industries. Tourism related activities are extensive and make the bulk of Algarve's economy during summer time. The Algarve's economy has always been closely linked to the sea, and fishing has been an important activity since ancient times. Only since the 1960s, has the region embraced tourism, which has become its most important economic activity.

Development

Since the 1960s, Algarve has been experiencing a large development due to the need to accommodate its visitors. The region started the construction of better infrastructures, mainly roads, sanitation, power grids, telecommunications, hospitals and better housing. Due to the austerity measures introduced in 2011, tolls have been introduced on the main motorway that crosses the region which is hoped will offset the expense of its construction. It also started the construction of a huge variety of hotels, resorts, golf courses (which are considered to be some of the best in Europe) and villas. All this led to a huge development in the region, especially for locals who had previously lived in poorer circumstances. Today, Algarve is amongst the regions in Portugal with best quality of life and safety. And it's one of the many reasons why millions of tourists, mostly European, choose this sunny part of Portugal as their holiday destination.

Tourism

In the 1960s the Algarve became a very popular destination for tourists, mainly from Britain. It has since become a common destination for Germans, Dutch and Irish people. Many of these tourists own their own property in the region. There are Algarve-based English-written publications and newspapers specifically addressed to this community. In addition to the natural beauties and plenty of beaches, the Algarve has invested in the creation of a network of golf courses. Well-known beaches in the Algarve range from Marinha Beach to Armação de Pêra. A well known spa town is Caldas de Monchique.

The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety, cuisine and relatively low costs. Is also popular for religious tourism, for example with the pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piety (best known as the Sovereign Mother), a Marian shrine dedicated to the patron saint of Loulé, that attract thousands of pilgrims of the Catholic faithful to the city, or with the international pilgrimages to the apparitions site of Our Lady Mother of Goodness occurred near São Marcos da Serra.

The procession of the Sovereign Mother (Our Lady of Piety) attract thousands of pilgrims to the Marian shrine of Loulé, in Algarve.

Algarve's mild climate has attracted interest from Northern Europeans wishing to have a holiday home or residence in the region. Being a region of Portugal, and therefore in the European Union, any EU citizen has the right to freely buy property and reside with little formality in the Algarve.[10] British expatriates, followed by German, Dutch and Scandinavians, are among the largest groups wishing to own a home in this sunny region of Portugal.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of the Algarve. A large number of seasonal job opportunities are tourism-related and are fulfilled by thousands of immigrant workers from other countries.

In March 2007, the Minister of Economy, Manuel Pinho, announced the creation of the "Allgarve" brand, as a part of a strategical promotion of the Algarve as a tourism destination for foreign citizens.[11] According to World Travel Awards, Algarve is the Europe's Leading Golf Destination 2013 and 2014. [12][13]

Accommodation

Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the Algarve coast. Over the past 50 years the Algarve has seen an increase in development, particularly from non-Portuguese developers. Over the past few years many tourists visiting the Algarve have moved away from the resorts, and have chosen the comfort of a traditional Algarve guesthouse, many of these run by ex-pats from England, Holland, and Germany who have escaped to the Algarve for a higher quality of life.

Education

The University of the Algarve, headquartered in Faro with an extension in Portimão, is a public university which awards all academic degrees in fields ranging from marine biology to economics to environmental engineering. There are also several higher education private institutions, state-run and private secondary education schools, including a number of international schools, and a wide network of kindergartens and primary schools.

Sports

The 30,000-seater Algarve Stadium (Estádio Algarve) was built as a venue for UEFA Euro 2004.

The Algarve has many sports clubs, including football teams which play in the first (Olhanense, Portimonense), second and third lay tiers of professional football. SC Farense is the most successful football club in the Algarve, however, after financial troubles it is currently (season 2012/2013) playing in the 3rd level of Portuguese football. The Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira is a noted Portuguese cycling team. The major stadium in the Algarve is the Estádio Algarve, where SC Farense and Louletano play their home matches. The region is also host to the annual Algarve Cup invitational tournament for national teams in women's football. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, a 4,692 kilometres (2,915 mi) race circuit, is located in Portimão.

Culture

Traditional hand painted pottery from Porches.
The Portuguese Water Dogs are native to the Algarve; they were the fisherman's main companion and were often taken with sailors during the Portuguese discoveries.
The Algarve had the highest population of the Iberian Lynx in Portugal. However, there haven't been any reports of Lynxes in the wild in the region since 2003.
The blue and clear water in the sea coast of Algarve.

The Algarve is famous for its pottery and ceramics, particularly hand-painted pottery and azulejos or tiles. There are numerous ceramics and pottery outlets throughout the Algarve. For working potteries/ceramics workshops the main, or best-known, pottery centers are located in the towns of Almancil, Porches and Loulé. But there are many other potteries and workshops in the Algarve region.

Notable citizens

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Regiões de Portugal". AICEP.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Direção-Geral do Território
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Law nr. 75/2013" (pdf). Diário da República (in Portuguese). Assembly of the Republic (Portugal). Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  5. ↑ ESTAT-2002-05354-00-00-EN-TRA-00 (FR)
  6. ↑ Faro - Instituto de Meteorologia, 1981-2010 (provisórias)
  7. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Faro, Portugal". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Climatological Information for Faro, Portugal" Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 5 September 2012
  9. ↑ AMAL
  10. ↑ "On the Rights of Citizens of the Union...", EC Directive 2004/58 EC, retrieved 25 May 2007.
  11. ↑ http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=234857&idselect=11&idCanal=11&p=200
  12. ↑ "Europe's Leading Golf Destination 2013 — World Travel Awards". Worldtravelawards.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Algarve elected Europe’s best Golf Destination of 2014". The Portugal News. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.

External links