Algarve is originally an Arabic word meaning “the west”. It is found in the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. Its capital city is Faro and has a total land area of 5,412 square kilometers. Currently the total population in the area is 410,000 but easily swells come the summer months, as the area is the known summer capital of Portugal.
The Algarve is steeped with history and tradition. The earliest known inhabitants of the area were known as the Conii and their habitation was dated along the sixth century BC. The Phoenicians, by 1000 BC, already plied a trade route on the coast to be known later as the Algarve. In 550 BC, the Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis, which has been rechristened today as Portimao. As the Roman Empire dominated Europe in the second century BC, they had control over the Iberian Peninsula, where many remains of Roman fortifications and recreational facilities still exist in the area known as Lagos, Vilamoura and Praia de Luz. In the 5th century AD, the Visigoths took control of the Algarve until the Moors invaded the peninsula in 711 AD. It is in this period that the region was named Al-Gharb Al Andalus, or the western area of Muslim Iberia. The occupation by the Moors of Portugal ended in the mid 12th century AD as the Kingdom of Portugal successfully had driven back the Muslim invaders. From then on, the area has been under the aegis of the Kingdom of Portugal and later on the Portuguese Republic.
The region of Algarve is divided into sixteen municipalities and is primarily an agricultural region, producing fig, almonds, oranges, carob beans, strawberries and cork oak. Other important activities are fishing and aquaculture, wine making, food processing and cement production. Every summer, tourism becomes the primary economic industry, as it has become a beach resort town since the area was showcased in the 1960s.
The coastline faces south and is measured at approximately 155 kilometers in length and about 52 kilometers in width, with its widest at 36 kilometers deep. All in all, there are over one hundred attractive beaches on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The key to the temperate weather is the maritime shelf just off the coast of the region, making the sea temperature warm even on winter months. Because of the area has the Atlantic Ocean to its south and west, the region has most possibly the most unpolluted climate in Europe.
Nowadays when you say the Algarve, the name has become synonymous with luxury hotels and picturesque beaches. The area has become a tourist haven as its beaches, Mediterranean climate and relatively low cost housing. This has become the primary dollar earner in the region, with accommodations available to foreign and local tourists alike are high-rise resorts in Albufeira to traditional guest accommodations in the small towns and villages in and around the Algarve coast. There has also been a construction boom in the region as many tourists have fallen in love with the area and have chosen it to become their new home. These tourists have either purchased real estate in the area or have bought housing built by other expatriates in the area.
There is entertainment available for singles, couples and families in the Algarve. The Quarteira and Lagos are best for family sized vacationers. For those wanting to live the fast life on vacation, there is the Albufeira, the Praia da Rocha and Lagos particularly Vilamoura and Ferragudo. If you want to revel in the history and culture of the area, then Silves, Tavira, Lagos or Sagres can provide you a walk through history and a sampling of the rich cultural tradition of the area. If you do want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist vacation and look forward to quiet walks on the countryside, then Alte or Monchique are the destinations for you. You can start your trek from Western Algarve but there are less more flatland areas such as Monte Gordo and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
The beauty of Algarve does not merely lie on its coastline and beaches for its beauty and appeal. The interior is rich with flora and fauna, as the inland areas have mineral rich soil and rolling landscapes. All year round, there are many offerings of natural bounty, from the almond and orchid blossoms of January to the May and June jacaranda blooms together with cork trees being harvested. July is the fruit-bearing month with a wild abundance of cherries, strawberries and melons flooding the markets while August and September is harvest season for grapes, figs and almonds. December is the time of the famed Algarve oranges.
The highest point inland is the Foia, 902 meters above the village of Monchique. This mountainous region had been a favored site of the Roman era inhabitants, because of the many terraces and granite stonewalls. This has become the source of the many of the local produce that are bought and sold in the village marketplace. Another well-known delicacy is the Medronho, a locally brewed alcoholic beverage from indigenous ingredients from within and around the area.
What is most attractive to Algarve is the temperate weather all year round. On the average, the temperature in this coastal region is between 15 degrees Celsius in the winter and 31 degrees Celsius during the summer months. This coincides with the many events hosted in the Algarve. There are powerboat championships and car rally events as well as motocross challenges in the inland areas of Algarve. As for the outlying areas, sailing regattas and golf championships are very well renowned to be held each year. There is also the Mardi Gras in February, the Liberation day on April 25 and the many medieval and commemorative festivals all year round can surely make your stay in Portugal not only fun at the beach but a healthy celebration on the streets from sun up til sun down and more.
So you see, the Algarve is not just a one-feature region in Portugal. The area showcases what is best of Portugal in a coastline setting, showcasing its local history and culture for all visitors, be it foreign and local to enjoy all year round. Do visit the region to see what makes this area the haven of the expatriate community in Portugal.