Discover the Real Algarve!
Pure Nature: the Ria Formosa
Whoever has looked out the window of an aircraft approaching
Faro will know the meandering pattern made up of turquoise sea and yellow
sandy islets - an impressive handiwork of nature. But the Ria Formosa
is worth a nearer view on the ground.
This lagoon scenery was created 250 years ago by a great quake at sea.
Until today it is marked and altered by the changes of the tide. The great
dunes lying before the coast, broken through by channels to the open sea,
are characteristic.
From its geographical position, Tavira is a good starting point for getting
to know the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which stretches over 16.000 hectares
eastward from Faro to the beach of Manta Rota. At low tide, a walk through
the mud-flats, where high and low waters have formed numerous channels,
sandbanks and islets, is well worthwile.
Prawns and crabs can be found here. The variety of birds to be seen here,
especially in winter is impressive, including oystercatchers, cormorants,
storks and flamingos.
Marine biologists reckon that 80 percent of the fish species of the North
Atlantic reproduce in the Ria. The area is of small economical use for
shell-fish nurseries (e.g. ameijoas, oysters, clams, razor clams and mussels)
and for traditional sea salt production.
One can find out more about the Ria Formosa at the Quinta do Marim near
Olhão, which also houses the park administration.
