Aprenda más sobre la Ria Formosa, un parque natural en la región más al sur de Portugal y un lugar imperdible durante sus vacaciones en el Algarve

Ubicada en el Algarve, la Ria Formosa es un parque natural desde 1987.
It’s the largest wetland in the south of Portugal and covers almost 18,400 hectares formed by a spectacular 60 km (38 miles) long system of sand-dune islands – 2 peninsulas (Ancão and Cacela), 5 barrier islands (Barreta also known as Ilha Deserta, Ilha da Culatra, Ilha da Armona, Ilha de Tavira and Ilha de Cabanas) and several stretches of salt-marshes.
The Ria Formosa Nature Park covers a huge variety of habitats organized in mosaics like sand-dunes, salt marshes, tidal flats, islets, salt pans, fresh water marshes and ponds, pine woods and agriculture fields. It is one of the most precious treasures of the Algarve’s ecosystem bursting with wildlife to discover. Reflecting its importance, Ria Formosa is also classified as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) and as Special Protection Area, and is included in the Site of Community Importance Ria Formosa-Castro Marim (Natura 2000 Network).
The area is vital for birds, specially for waterfowl mainly because it’s a wintering ground for birds from northern and central Europe, particularly for several duck species and many waders. It’s also a stop-over point in the migration routes between Europe and Africa and it provides shelter for rare species in Portugal like the purple gallinule which was chosen as the symbol of the nature park.
The importance of this area is not limited to birdlife. The sand dunes and the salt marshes display a rich a unique vegetation specially adapted to these harsh environments. The lagoon is a nursery area for many species of fish that spend their early stages of development in the shallow waters of the lagoon.
Shellfish farming occupies more than 1000 ha and is responsible for nearly 80% of the Portuguese clam exports.
Una población residente de 7.500 vive dentro de los límites del parque, pero en verano estas cifras pueden triplicarse. La población residente trabaja principalmente en actividades relacionadas con la laguna como la pesca, el cultivo de mariscos y la extracción de sal.
Clasificada como Reserva Natural en los años 70, este estado de protección fue elevado a un parque natural en el año 1987 debido al aumento de la necesidad de la regulación del turismo y la presión urbana, así como debido a la necesidad de planificar el territorio.
Este hermoso parque natural es un lugar imprescindible durante sus vacaciones en Algarve.