Rias Baixas

The Lower Rias (Rías Baixas)
Geography of Galicia
A view over the Ría de Pontevedra, the central Ria
Country	Spain
State	Galicia
Capital	Pontevedra
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
- coordinates	42°13′53″N 8°42′45″W / 42.231356°N 8.712447°W / 42.231356; -8.712447Coordinates: 42°13′53″N 8°42′45″W / 42.231356°N 8.712447°W / 42.231356; -8.712447
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
Location of Pontevedra within the Rias within Spain

The Rías Baixas (Galician for "Lower Rias") are a series of four estuarine inlets located on the southwestern coast of Galicia, Spain. They are the Ría de Muros e Noia, the Ría de Arousa, the Ría de Pontevedra, and the Ría de Vigo. The northernmost Rías Baixas begin below Cape Finisterre while the southernmost rias border the Portuguese coast, taking up the southern part of the Province of Coruña and the entire Province of Pontevedra. Its capital is the city of Pontevedra. Due to unique conditions, the Rías Baixas are rich in marine life which helps the fishing and aquaculture industry of the area. Beaches, marinas, distinctive towns, and plenty of water activities also attract tourists, providing another source of income.

Though individually distinct, each of the Rías Baixas share some common characteristics. They begin along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean and jut inland, eventually meeting up with a river. Each ria has a basic funnel shape as well, being wider at the ocean and narrowing as it approaches land and the river. Geologists believe that the Rías Baixas formed as a result of tectonic action which sunk certain land areas near the coast and along river valleys. These areas were subsequently flooded by water from the ocean and adjoining rivers. Over time, erosion also helped shape each inlet.

Water from the ocean flows into the ria and is eventually joined by inland rivers. This creates an estuary (a body of water where salt and fresh water mix). Geologists break each ria into two basic zones based on the composition of the water and sediments: the outer zone and the inner zone. The outer zone is that which joins with the Atlantic Ocean. The inner zone is inland where rivers join with the ria. Another way to refer to these two zones is with the terms "mouth" and "head". The mouth of the ria is the part closest to the ocean and the "head" joins with the river.

The four rias that make up the Rías Baixas are distinct from the more northern Rías Altas ("Upper Rias") in location and other characteristics. As compared to the Rías Altas, the waters of the Rías Baixas are calmer and smoother. The coast that contains the Rías Altas is sometimes known as the Costa da Morte (in Galician: Coast of Death), due to a high number of shipwrecks, a fact that only underlines the turbulent nature of the waters. Most of the Rías Baixas have islands in the ocean near the mouth, which help to create the calm waters.