Algarve
| Algarve | |
| Distrito de Faro | |
| Region | |
 Algarve's typical coast near Lagoa
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| Name origin: algarve from Arabic: الغرب the west | |
| Country | Portugal |
|---|---|
| Region | Algarve |
| Capital | Faro |
| - elevation | 11 m (36 ft) |
| - coordinates | 37°0′52″N 7°56′7″W / 37.01444°N 7.93528°WCoordinates: 37°0′52″N 7°56′7″W / 37.01444°N 7.93528°W |
| Highest point | Fóia |
| - elevation | 902 m (2,959 ft) |
| Lowest point | Sea level |
| - location | Atlantic Ocean |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Area | 4,996.80 km2 (1,929 sq mi) |
| Population | 451,006 (2011) |
| Density | 90/km2 (233/sq mi) |
| Timezone | WET (UTC+0) |
| - summer (DST) | WEST (UTC+1) |
| NUTS | PT15 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2013 estimate |
| - Total | € 9.274 billion |
| - Per capita | € 20,900 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2013 estimate |
| - Total | € 7.232 billion |
| - Per capita | € 16,300 |
 Location of the Algarve Region in context of the national borders
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Website: amal |
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| Statistics from INE (2005); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010) | |
The Algarve (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɫˈɡaɾv(ɨ)], from Arabic: الغرب al-Gharb "the West") is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. It has an area of 4,997 square kilometres (1,929 sq mi) with 451,006 permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. The region has as its administrative centre in the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport (FAO) and public university, University of Algarve, are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Production of food, which includes fish and other seafood, fruit, oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, is also economically important in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and one of the most popular in Europe. Its population triples to nearly 1.5 million people in the peak holiday season thanks to seasonal residents, and receives an average of 7 million foreign tourists each year. In total, including national visitors, almost 10 million people visit the Algarve annually.
The Algarve is currently the third richest region in Portugal, after Lisbon and Madeira, with a GDP per capita 86% of the European Union average.
Human presence in southern Portugal dates back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. The presence of megalithic stones in the area of Vila do Bispo attests to this presence.
The Cynetes, influenced by Tartessos, were established by the sixth century BC in the region of the Algarve. They would be strongly influenced by the Celtici. The Phoenicians had established trading ports along the coast circa 1000 BC. The Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis—known today as Portimão—in about 550 BC. The Roman Republic spread through the Iberian Peninsula in the second century BC and many Roman ruins can still be seen in the region, notably in Lagos. Roman bath complexes and fish salting tanks have been found near the shore in several locations, for example the ones near Vilamoura and Praia da Luz.
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Wikipedia