From Loulé to Cacela Velha in Vila Real de Santo António, the Ria Formosa area is a protected lagoon landscape which was formed in large part by the 1755 earthquake and its dunes and islands continue to be shaped by tidal influences.
The park consists of a vast area
of marsh (sapal), salt pans (salinas),
creeks, dune islands and
two freshwater lakes. In addition
to nature, man has made an impact
by creating canals and inlets
through the islands which create
something of a light barrier before
the ocean greets the shore.
The isles of Faro, Barreta, Culatra,
Armona and Tavira form natural
interludes between land and
sea. Swathes of dunes lie closer to
the land behind the isles and interspersed
with dune and land is
a labyrinth of lagoons, mud flats
and canals.
Safe refuge
This valuable ecosystem was designated
a Natural Park in December
1987 as it was under serious
threat from building, sand extraction
and pollution, all resulting
from the rapid rise of tourism.
Sixty kilometres of coastline
and a full 18.400 hectares of the
whole area came within the Natural
Park’s remit. The park extends
over five (out of a total of
16) Algarvean councils: Loulé,
Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real
de Santo António.
This remarkably diverse area of
international importance has an
enormous variety of natural habitats
providing refuge, feeding or
breeding areas for an astonishing
array of animal life, from zooplankton
to fish, crustaceans,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and
mammals, such as the otter. Low
tide unveils further salty habitats.
All life here has adapted to whatever
food is available and to the
various amounts of salinity. The
preservation of the area is a prerequisite
for survival for many
species.
Wing and a prayer
The ecosystems’ diversity attracts
many bird species which
can choose between fresh water
and salt water areas for breeding.
Notable among the many is the
purple gallinule (also swamphen
or moorhen) or sultan chicken,
which has been chosen as
the symbol of the Natural Park.
Known to breed only in the Ria
Formosa and not found in any
other part of Portugal, the sultan
chicken, with its violet-blue
feathers and bright red beak and
legs, is rare and endangered. It
reached near extinction when, it
is told, Vale do Lobo (at the western
end of the park) built a freshwater
lake in order to irrigate its
new São Lourenço golf course
with the happy side effect of providing
the gallinule with a passport
to the future. Through protection,
its population is growing
steadily, although still small.
An important breeding area for
wetland birds, the area is home to
cattle egrets, red-crested pochard
and purple herons amongst many
others. Drier areas are inhabited
by pratincoles and Kentish
plovers.
Moreover, the population swells
dramatically during the spring
and autumn migratory periods
when many winged visitors break
their flights, some choosing to
spend the winter there. Residents
and visitors include the dwarf sea
swallow, the grey plover, the tailor
bird, the waders, the common
hawthorn, the straight beaked
kingfisher, ducks, water cocks,
flamingos and some birds of prey
such as the hunting kestrel.
More than 50 species of fish as
well as little known crustaceans
such as Monte Gordo shrimp, estuary
shrimp and Moorish crab
can be found. The waters are rich
in shellfish while amphibians like
toads and frogs as well as reptiles,
such as woodland lizard, water
snakes, snake mouse and chameleon
are part of the Park’s fauna.
Ancient history
Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and
Christians alike used the land
and the sea and each left behind
some evidence of their activities.
Today the area surrounding the
Park, and even parts of the Park’s
waters, contributes to the region’s
economy with salt farms, seafood
farms harvesting mussels,
clams, oysters and cockles. The
shellfish is bred here and comprises
80 per cent of the nation’s
mollusc exports. The port of Faro
is also within the Park’s boundaries.
Apart from fish and shellfish
farming, salt panning and
the activities of the port, all other
human activities which could
encroach on the park’s ecosystem
are strictly controlled.
The Algarve region of Portugal has a mature tourist industry and has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Many of the low cost UK airlines operate from Faro Airport, which has increased the number of visitors to the region.
The Algarve region of southern Portugal enjoys a sub-tropical climate with over 300 days of sunshine every year. Winter temperatures typically reach 16-18 degrees Centigrade maximum, so the Algarve is a popular year-round destination. The summer months see temperatures peaking at around 27-32 degrees Centigrade maximum in the daytime. This article provides a visitor’s guide to some of the best known resorts in the Algarve region.
Albufeira is the best known resort in the Algarve, and is considered by many to be a young person’s destination. Albufeira is well known for its bars and nightclubs in the famous “Strip”. The town is effectively divided into 2 parts - the Strip containing shops, bars and nightclubs, and the old town with its cobbled streets, shops, bars, restaurants all based around a town square. Albufeira is also a good winter destination, with plenty of winter activities such as golf, fishing, boat trips and walking.
Alvor is a traditional Portuguese fishing village located on a sheltered natural lagoon which opens out into the sea. The town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, with an old parish church at the centre. The quayside restaurants provide fresh sea produce at very reasonable prices. Fish stews and grilled sardines are local specialities. Deep sea fishing and boating trips are available at the harbour. Although this ancient coastal village is now a very popular holiday location the enclosed narrow streets have restricted the advances of developers, and much of the towns original charm is preserved. Many of these cobbled streets have bars with live music and different types of restaurants
Faro is often overlooked by visitors to the Algarve, but with its historic old town and a typical Portuguese marina surrounded by restaurants and cafes, the town is a popular winter break destination.
Lagos with its spectacular rock formations and golden beaches have made the town one of the most popular Algarve resorts. As you head west from Faro, the scenery gradually becomes more rugged, with many of the beaches becoming a little less accessible. The water can be choppy, and may not be ideal for young children. Around 6km to the west of Lagos is the well-known "Praia da Luz" village.
Monte Gordo (translated as the "Fat Mountain") was formerly a fishing village, and was one of the first tourist destinations on the Algarve with the first hotels in the area built in the sixties. One of the most beautiful areas of the Algarve is Monte Gordo beach which has fantastic scenery. In the town there are a great number of bars and restaurants, where you can taste the best of the traditional Algarve cuisine. The Restaurant Marisqueira Monte Gordo is a favourite destination for tourists.
Portimao is one of the most densely populated cities in the Algarve. Portimao is the largest town on the Barlavento/Western area of Algarve. The city has a harbour and a small airfield. The coastline around Portimao consists of sandy beaches and stunning coloured rock formations. The Caves of Estombar are well worth a visit, as is the mosaic floor of the Roman villa at Figueira. Inland from Portimao the scenery and traditional villages are also not to be missed.
Sagres is a great destination for walkers, experienced surfers and visitors interested in natural beauty rather than the more developed resorts. Sagres is around a 2 hour drive from Faro at the far Western tip of the Algarve, and has a similarity to the West coast of Wales. The beaches here can be dangerous due to the huge waves, and a number of unsuspecting people have been swept away in recent years. Sagres Castle is set on cliff tops above the sea and is a great place to view the fantastic landscape.
Tavira has been developed significantly in recent years, but retains much of its original charm. A visit to the Old Town is recommended with its historic church and beautiful medieval houses with Gothic windows and doorways. There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to idle away the time. The best beaches require a short ferry ride out to Tavira Island, but there are smaller beaches around the town which are great for kids.
Vilamoura is one of the most developed of the Algarve resorts and is popular with golfers and boat-owners. Vilamoura is centred on a marina surrounded by restaurants and bars. Apartments and villas have been purpose built in the area surrounding the marina, and many are owned by British who use them as holiday homes. There are large sandy beaches to the east and west of the marina. To the east of Vilamoura is Quarteira which is a more typical Algarve town with a long sandy beach, and where prices are considerably lower. There are a multitude of bars, shops and restaurants along Quarteira beachfront.
This Top 10 Travel Guide to the Algarve region of Portugal is divided into three regions: central, eastern and western. The busiest coastal resorts are in the central region of the Algarve. All the Algarve’s top resorts and attractions are covered, as well as numerous lesser-known sights. The main sights in the Alentejo region, to the north of the Algarve, are also included. Each area is colour coded; the colour bands of the chapters correspond to the colours shown on the maps here. Almost every place mentioned in the book has a map reference, which takes you to the maps opening out from the front and back flaps.
Whether you use an electric bike, electric scooter, or electric car to augment your transportation, electric transportation will save you a tremendous amount of money.
Choosing to use an Electric Bicycle or Electric Vehicle will reduce your carbon footprint, mitigate pollution and global warming, and will keep you in great shape too.
E-Bikes and Electric Scooters are not only more fun and a lot healthier, but even quicker than a car for short errands.
As of now, the world is in the middle of an economic and financial turmoil. That is why each and every individual is doing their part just to get by and save up some cash for even more important needs. From buying food in bulk and using old stuff, people have tried it so that they can get by this tough times. And one effective way of tightening the budget is using more efficient ways of transportation. It is a known fact that petroleum products such as gasoline for cars have been skyrocketing like crazy in the last few decades. That is why several ways to cut back in gasoline-consumption has been bombarding the media today, including biofuel and other alternative energy source. But the more simple people chose to go back to their transportation roots and take a step back by using good ol’ pedal-power in forms of bicycles.
But let’s be honest, bicycles are efficient only if used to travel short distances. But if you’re home is so far away from your work, school or wherever you’re trying to go to, it actually becomes a bit of a hassle. But what if there is a way to give those bikes of yours a bit of power boost? Well, it is simple and they are called e-Bikes or electric bikes.
An electric bike, just like what the names implies, is a normal everyday bicycle that has been equipped with an electric motor to assist in its propulsion. These motors as stated by Federal Laws, are limited to only 750 watts of power and 25 km per hour top speed. Most electric bikes are built to meet that specification But some build them with power exceeding that of what the laws require just for the kick of it. And obviously, they are not going to be street-legal.
Electric bicycles can be built using ordinary bike frames and electric bike kits that cost around 500 € to 800 €. But there are also e-Bikes that are ready made which goes for about 400 € to about 9000 €. Electric bicycles require no licenses or insurance to operate but many states do have age limitations.
These electric bikes have motors that are powered by rechargeable batteries that can run the bikes for an average range of around 30 km. But of course, the power still ranges depending on the weight of the bike and rider, wheel size, style of riding and terrain.
The most common type of motor used in electric bikes is a hub motor, which is an electric motor built directly into the hub of the front or rear wheel. An advantage to this design is that no additional transmission system is needed, thereby increasing the efficiency of the drive system. This design also does not require chains, belts or gears. Essentially the motor is the hub of the wheel and contains two concentric rings of opposing electromagnets. When power from the battery is applied to the motor the opposing magnetic force causes the wheel to spin. This type of motor is almost completely silent and requires no maintenance. The higher the wattage of the motor, the more power it provides.
Video and link provided by Rocky Mountain Institute
However because electric motors are most efficient at high rates of revolution, this type of motor tends to be inefficient. Integrated planetary gear drivetrains are sometimes included, but reintroduce transmission losses. Also, there are no standards for measuring wattage. Most hub motor marketers use peak output numbers as opposed to the operating output numbers, which means for example a motor rated at 1000 watts peak may be a 500-watt motor in its standard operating output. That is why purchasing hub motors can be a bit tricky at times.
An advice for people who wants to own an electric bike, e-Bikes that are built from kits are usually your best bet when it comes to performance, quality and savings. Building your own will actually give you an option to choose a more powerful motor, better battery, and many other features. Also, you get to choose which bike you can use as your foundation, be it your old bicycle that you’ve grown into or a much better bike than those factory-built e-Bikes in terms of weight and comfortability. A good kit should have the motor pre-built into a wheel, dual brake motor cutoff, a twist or thumb throttle, a motor controller, wiring harness and a battery mounting rack with a lock mechanism. One more tip is to buy a front wheel kit which is easier to install. A really good kit also includes wiring diagrams, mounting hardware, wire ties and complete step-by-step instructions for the installation. Lastly, purchase your kit from a company with good customer support because you would want to be able to call them if ever you have trouble putting up your electric bike. Anyone that can ride a bicycle can ride an electric bike and anyone with basic tool skills can install an electric bike conversion kit.
Electric bicycle is definitely the green transportation that everyone have been looking for. It can provide a very efficient alternative to the cars and trucks we have today. And at the same time, it also helps lessen air pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. Also, using electric bicycles also give you a little exercise while going about your daily life. Many pros to this very simple solution. True, it won’t solve all of our problems in just a day, but it’s a good start.
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
The Free Democratic Party, the junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition, has weighed in on the debate surrounding the use of full-body scanners at German airports. FDP secretary general, Christian Lindner, said the party would support the use of the scanners if the technology is developed further to protect the privacy of travelers.
"People's dignity doesn't end for us when they get to the counter at the airport. We do not support the peep show of the current scanners," Lindner said in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper on Monday. "If there are further technical developments, we'll reevaluate."
Lindner's comments reflect growing calls in Germany for installing full-body scanners that allow security personnel at airports to see through travelers' clothing.
Britain to introduce scanners
Calls for the use of such scanners have intensified after 23-year-old Nigerian terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab boarded a flight bound for Detroit at Amsterdam's Schipol airport on Christmas Day allegedly carrying explosives in his underwear.
Some security experts say that a scanner might have detected the explosives the would-be terrorist was hiding.
The Dutch government has since announced that the country will begin using full-body scanners within weeks for US-bound flights. On Sunday, British airport operator BAA said it would move quickly to install full-body scanners at London's Heathrow airport.
"It is our view that a combination of technology, intelligence and passenger profiling will help build a more robust defense against the unpredictable and changing nature of the terrorist threat to aviation," a spokesman for BAA told Reuters.
German police official backs idea
Konrad Freiberg, head of Germany's police labor union, also called for the introduction of the devices, rebutting concerns over infringement of privacy.
He criticized security deficiencies at airports.
"We have to realize that there's presently a high margin of error," he told the German public television broadcaster ARD on Monday.
Freiberg said tests had been conducted in which police officers had managed to get through the security systems with their weapons.
"That's no good," he said. "The airport operators are responsible for security, and they collect a security fee from passengers. They have the money for security, but they still try and save in that area."
He added that the newer version of full-body scanners is an acceptable alternative to the first generation.
The issue has generated heated debate in Germany with politicians split over introducing the scanners.
The full-body scanners currently being debated generate computer images of everything hidden under a person's clothes, including the person's body. While they could improve airport security, critics maintain they could amount to intolerable invasion of privacy.
Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has rejected the use of such scanners.
"It remains to be seen whether they can be used without infringing upon people's privacy," she said. "It will depend on the technical progress of these scanners."
Over the weekend, Science Minister Annette Schavan told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that Germany would not have to wait too long for new scanner models.
"We are confident that in summer, we can expect research results for a whole new generation of body scanners...," she said.
