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Northern Littoral Natural Park

Braga geography stubsEsposendeEuropean protected area stubsGeography of Braga DistrictIUCN Category V
Natura 2000 in PortugalNature conservation in PortugalNature parks in PortugalTourist attractions in Braga District
Parque Litoral
Parque Litoral

The Northern Littoral Natural Park (Portuguese: Parque Natural do Litoral Norte) is one of the thirteen natural parks of Portugal. It encompasses the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the municipality of Esposende. The park was created to preserve the dunes and the wildlife in the area, mainly birds and fish. The park has the longest and best preserved stretch of Atlantic dunes in northern Portugal. The estuaries of Cávado and Neiva are home to some of the most significant habitats in the park. It has around 240 species of plant. 140 species of birds can be observed in the terrestrial area alone. The estuarine zone is an important area for food and rest during migrations and in winter. It has 19 species and 8 potencial species of mammals.It is an area of intense agricultural activity, namely in masseiras, also called troughs, cultivated fields dug in the sand next to the dunes until very close to the water table, which thus ensure water and protection from the winds to the crops. This coast is one of the traditional places for gathering sargassum, which was collected in June and dried in the sun. Indeed, the sands of the Minho coast were fertilized thanks to the use of seaweed and pilado (small crustacean), for many years the main fertilizers used. The festa dos sargaceiros of Apulia, with their typical costumes, is just one of the many festivities that take place here.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Northern Littoral Natural Park (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Northern Littoral Natural Park
Rua Padre Manuel Sá Pereira, Esposende

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N 41.526666666667 ° E -8.7852777777778 °
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Rua Padre Manuel Sá Pereira
4740-405 Esposende (Apúlia e Fão)
Portugal
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Parque Litoral
Parque Litoral
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Alto River
Alto River

The Alto River (Portuguese: Rio Alto, lit. 'High River'; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈaltu])) is a small river in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, Porto District, Portugal. The river's source is at the foot of São Félix Hill in Laundos Parish, and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Rio Alto Beach in Estela Parish. The shoreline of Estela is also known as the Rio Alto. The Alto's minute estuary area is known for its wide sand dunes and has become a tourist destination. One of the local facilities is the Camping Park of Rio Alto, which is surrounded by a forest of pine trees planted by the Monks of Tibães in the 18th century and the peculiar masseiras farm fields, which were also made by these monks. Nearby are the Estela Golf Club, and the naturist beach area of Alto River. To the north are the ruins of the Roman villa known as Villa Mendo, which was abandoned in the beginning of the early years of Portugal. In 1908, two local individuals, knowing that ancient artifacts were sometimes found in the area, decided to investigate the place and discovered jewels, gold and silver. They took the jewels to a silversmith who verified the value and antiquity of the artifacts and spoke to António Rocha Peixoto, an archaeologist who was in Póvoa de Varzim. Peixoto and José Fortes asked the finders about the location of the findings. Some time later, Fortes published an article in the Portugália stating that these jewels were of the Castro culture. Several people tried to find the town that was probably below the sand dunes, but without success, and only a few minor findings were made. In June 1992, while removing sands, a bulldozer driver found a wall and ceramics, remains of the lost Roman villa.