Page 78 - Algarve Road Cycling

CyCLE RoutEs | GeOGRAPhICAl ChARACTeRIsATION

geographIcal

characterIsatIon

The Algarve is the southernmost region (Monchique Mountains). Around 23% of the
in mainland Portugal. It covers an area of region’s total area is below an altitude of 50
approximately 4,899 km2, which represents metres. A similar percentage of the territory
5.5% of the country’s continental territory. (21%) is between 50 and 100 metres in altitude.
from north to south, it stretches for 30 to 40 the altitudes between 100 and 300 metres
km, whereas from east to west it reaches as correspond to approximately 43%, and only
much as 130 to 150 km. 12% of the region’s surface area is higher than
300 metres. the areas that reach altitudes of 500
the average altitude in the Algarve is 150 metres;
the highest point is the summit of Fóia, at 902 metres or more are found only in the Monchique
metres, followed by Picota at 774 metres Mountains and account for less than 1%.

1 3

The COAsT (litoRAl) The UPlANDs (seRRA)
The south-western sector “Barlavento Algarvio” the northernmost section of the Algarve,
where the cliffs are carved out of rock, and the comprising three mountain ranges: the serra
south-eastern sector “sotavento Algarvio” de Monchique, the serra de espinhaço de Cão
with sandy cliffs and extensive sandy beaches. and the serra do Caldeirão. these mountainous
areas occupy around 50% of the terrain in the
2 Algarve and protect the beaches to the south
from the north winds and the Atlantic influences.
The “BARRoCAl” the western Algarve “the Barlavento” is more
the relief consists of mountain ranges running exposed to these influences.
E-W with valleys in between them.

geoMorphologIcal Map

Vicentine Coast uplands (Serra)
Barrocal Coast (Litoral)

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