Apúlia

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.

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.

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 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.

Rio Alto Beach (Praia do Rio Alto in Portuguese, lit. "High River Beach"; sometimes known as Estela Beach) is a beach located in the outskirts of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. The beach is located in the civil parish of Estela, the farming area of Póvoa de Vazim. It is regarded as the central focal point of naturism in northern Portugal despite not having official status; although a group attempted for the official status. Strong northern winds, Atlantic cold water and lack of nearby services make it a suitable place for Portuguese local naturists in a region where the practice of naturism is still underdeveloped. The beach has a car parking space in Rua Campo de Futebol street.

Estela is one of the seven civil parishes of Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 2,307, in an area of 11.54 km². Estela is known for the traditional masseira farm practice in sand dunes and its name derives from Latin Stella (star). It is the largest agricultural parish of Póvoa de Varzim and, along with Aguçadoura and Navais, it forms the agricultural area of Póvoa de Varzim. These parishes despite having small populations experienced very sharp population declines. The built up area is becoming of suburban nature, due to the fast access to the core of Póvoa de Varzim throw the EN13 highway. Local horticultural formerly consumed regionally is currently exported to other Western European markets. Its large fine sand dune beaches are a popular destination for nudists and holds a notable links golf course in the beachfront.

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.

Barqueiros is a Portuguese freguesia ("civil parish"), located in the municipality of Barcelos. The population in 2011 was 1,957, in an area of 8.07 km². Barqueiros has an annual festival known as Festa da Senhora das Necessidades, which is considered one of the most impressive festivals of the province of Minho, held annually on September 6, 7 and 8.Barqueiros became daily news in Portugal in the 1980s due to mass protests by the citizens of Barqueiros against the mining of Kaolin. This became known in Portugal as the Guerra dos Caulinos. The conflict dragged on through the 1980s until it finally escalated resulting in the shooting death of 20-year-old José Carlos Manhente Simões on June 26, 1989 by GNR forces (Guarda Nacional Republicana).

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.

Esposende (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɨʃpɔˈzẽdɨ] ) is a city and a municipality in Braga District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 34,254, in an area of 95.41 km². The city itself (the parish Esposende, Marinhas e Gandra) had a population of 9,197 in 2001. It gained city status on 2 July 1993. The present Mayor is Fernando Couto Cepa, elected by the Social Democratic Party. The municipal holiday is August 19. It is located on the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago.

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).