Esposende

Esposende, Marinhas e Gandra is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Esposende, Marinhas and Gandra. The population in 2011 was 11,111, in an area of 17.31 km².

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.

Fort São João Baptista of Esposende, also referred to as São João Baptista Castle and Esposende Fort, is located in the parish of Esposende, Marinhas e Gandra, city and municipality of Esposende, in the district of Braga, in Portugal. A coastal fort, originally built with the role of defending the mouth of the river Cávado.

The Cávado River (Portuguese: rio Cávado; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁiu ˈkavɐðu]) is a river located in northern Portugal. It has its source in Serra do Larouco at an elevation of 1,520 metres (4,990 ft) above sea level. It runs 135 kilometres (84 mi) from Fonte da Pipa, near the triangulation station Larouco, to its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean next to the city of Esposende. It flows through the districts of Vila Real and Braga, in the Cávado Region, and flows near the towns of Vila Verde and Esposende and cities of Braga and Barcelos. Its tributaries are the Homem River, Rabagão River and Saltadouro River.

The Ponte metálica de Fão is a bridge in Portugal at Fão. It is located in Braga District, crossing the Cávado River, on the EN 13 (National Road 13 - Porto-Valença). It connects Fão to Esposende.

Gandra is a former civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Esposende, Marinhas e Gandra. It had a population of 1,323 in 2011. A majority of its inhabitants are Roman Catholic. The main source of income in the town is agriculture.

Apúlia e Fão is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Apúlia and Fão. The population in 2011 was 7,301, in an area of 16.29 km².

Apúlia is a town and a former civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Apúlia e Fão. It has a population of 4,323 inhabitants and a total area of 10.51 km², population density 411.3. It was a town and a municipality until 1834, when it was incorporated into Esposende. Apúlia is known for its dune beaches and Roman-style folk costumes. It may be related to the region of Apulia in Italy, and a possible migration from there during the Roman Empire.

Gemeses is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 1,078, in an area of 5.57 km2 (2.15 sq mi).

Fonte Boa e Rio Tinto is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Fonte Boa and Rio Tinto. The population in 2011 was 1,944, in an area of 10.38 km².

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.

Vila Cova e Feitos is a civil parish in the municipality of Barcelos, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Vila Cova and Feitos. The population in 2011 was 2,564, in an area of 15.73 km².