Geography

Portugal, located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, is a country rich in natural beauty. The Portuguese territory includes two autonomous regions: the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental morphology is characterized by a long and rugged coastline, which extends for about 900 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean. This coast offers numerous beaches, cliffs and coves. 

The Portuguese territory is crossed by the Serra da Estrela mountain range, which reaches the maximum altitude of 1993 meters with Mount Malhão da Estrela.The mountain complex is spread over a total length of 100 km. The natural landscape, which includes gorges carved by water, cliffs, streams and small mountain lakes, results in a spectacular panorama.

About half of the Portuguese territory is covered by plains. The most important is that of the Alentejo, bordered by the river Tejo that marks the border.

Most of Portugal’s major rivers flow from Spain, passing through gorges that limit their usefulness as waterways.

The Douro, which stretches for more than 200 km in the country, has been made navigable from the nearby Port to the Spanish border. The longest river in the country is the Mondego River, about 220 km that rises in the Estrela mountains. Other mainly Portuguese rivers are the Tajo, the Vouga, the Sado and the Zêzere.

The rich loamy land in the lower Tagus Valley is the result of regular flooding, which is particularly severe when strong southern gales push deep into the estuary.

The Portuguese coast faces almost entirely westward on the Atlantic Ocean. Except at the mouths of the larger rivers, there are few major recesses or natural ports; the most important are those of Lisbon, on the Tagus, and Setúbal, on the Sado.

There are also several artificial lakes in Portugal. The Alqueva lake, located in the south of the country, is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, with an area of about 250 square kilometers. This lake offers numerous opportunities for water sports and enjoying the surrounding nature.

Climate

The climate in Portugal is very diverse. In the northern region, the climate is cooler and rainy, while in the southern region, the climate is Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and mild winters. Along the Atlantic coast, the climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which makes temperatures milder than inside the country.

For this reason, the landscape in the north, which is very green, gradually becomes more arid going south, up to the Algarve which has a fairly dry climate.

The best times to visit Portugal are from mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to early October, where temperatures are milder than in summer.

On the coast, the heat is mitigated by the presence of the ocean, the best period is represented by the summer months. The temperature of the ocean remains not very high even in the summer months.

Flora and Fauna 

Portugal, located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Due to its geographical location and variety of habitats, the country is home to a wide range of unique and fascinating species.

As for the flora, Portugal is characterized by a great variety of landscapes, ranging from lush forests to coastal plains and mountains. Oak and pine forests dominate many areas of the country, offering shelter to many species of plants and animals. Among the most common plant species are holm oak, maritime pine, chestnut and eucalyptus. 

The olives extended northwards in Roman times, but are now generally limited to lower altitudes around 400 m. In the Douro valley, the juniper bush has been replaced by vineyards.

To the south in the Algarve region the landscape is dominated by vines and typically Mediterranean trees such as fig, almond and carob.

The country’s forests and nature reserves are inhabited by a variety of wild animals. Mammals include the Iberian wolf, otter, wild cat, wild boar and deer. The coastal waters of Portugal are populated by dolphins, whales and seals, which attract many nature-loving tourists.

For bird lovers, Portugal offers a wide variety of species. Wetlands and coastal nature reserves are ideal habitats for many species of migratory birds, such as flamingos, herons, cormorants and ducks. In addition, Portugal is also home to several endemic aquifer species.

Fish is abundant in the Atlantic waters of mainland Portugal, particularly European sardine. Crustaceans are common on the northern rocky coasts and clams and oysters are farmed in the Algarve.

Portugal is actively engaged in the conservation of its flora and fauna. Numerous protected areas, such as national parks and nature reserves, have been established to preserve natural habitats and protect endangered species. These efforts help to maintain the richness and diversity of Portugal’s flora and fauna for future generations.