The southern Portuguese province of the Algarve, divided from
the rest of the country by a series of low-lying mountains, is one
of Europe's most popular coastal holiday destinations, catering for
millions of tourists every year. The region's capital, Faro, is
built around a charming harbour beside a wide lagoon. An
international airport was opened near Faro in 1965 to cater for the
incoming tourists, making the city the hub of the resort trade.
Most of the Algarve's trendy, modern holiday resorts were
formerly little fishing villages. They still feature central areas
with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and ancient churches, but
it is the region's long sandy beaches which have ensured its place
as a holiday Mecca. The coastline stretches 100 miles (161km) from
Cape St. Vincent to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the border with
Spain, and much of it today is built up with high-rise hotels and
holiday apartment blocks, particularly the area to the west of
Faro.
A special feature of the Algarve is the myriad almond trees that
are found throughout the region; in late January and early February
the countryside is blanketed with white almond blossom. There are
also groves of lemons, oranges, carobs, pomegranates and figs
growing inland in what is known as the 'garden of Portugal'. Also
characteristic of the province are swathes of green golf courses,
associated with real estate developments and major resorts, which
have proliferated since the tourist boom began in the early
1960s.
