Description of the attraction
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a nature reserve that sits along the eastern coastline of the Algarve and is a favorite destination for lovers of scenic natural landscapes.
Ria Formosa is a series of peninsulas and sandy islands that encircle a large lagoon 60 km long. In 1755, Portugal experienced a strong oceanic earthquake, resulting in the formation of a lagoon. Until now, the sand dunes of the island are formed by the tides. In the mid-80s of the twentieth century, Ria Formosa became a protected area, and in 1987 Ria Formosa was given the status of a natural park.
The natural park is famous for its beautiful and secluded islands such as Barretta, Coulatra, Armona and Tavira. The sandy beaches of each island form a boundary and protect the shallow and warm waters of the lagoon from ocean invasion. Mussels and oysters are bred here. During low tide, when the water leaves, the places where the mollusks are found open up and the owners of the farms take advantage of this.
The islands can also be reached by boat, which departs regularly from the coastal cities of Tavira, Faro and Olhao. Each such coastal town has many cafes and restaurants offering seafood tasting.
Sea salt is mined on the Ria Formosa. If you wish, you can organize a tour of the dunes and salt marshes of the park.
The park has recently launched a project to breed Portuguese divers, a fairly rare breed of dog. The breed was specially bred to help fishermen in their fishery. They can swim, dive, and even jump out of the water and jump into the boat. They also helped pull the nets ashore, and their help is invaluable in rescuing drowning people.
In 2010, the estuary of the Ria Formosa and the natural park of the same name were included in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal.
Description added:
Elena 24.06.2016
Hello, my name is Elena. Recently I have been living in these parts! Namely, in the city of Olyau … this is how the Portuguese themselves spell and pronounce the city in Russian transcription, which you call Olhao.. You asked to indicate the "inaccuracies". Thank you if I can be useful to you.
Show full text Hello, my name is Elena. Recently I live in these parts! Namely, in the city of Olyau … this is how the Portuguese themselves write and pronounce the city in Russian transcription, which you call Olhao.. You asked to indicate the "inaccuracies". Thank you if I can be useful to you.
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