Serra de Estrela
| Serra da Estrela | |
|---|---|
Serra da Estrela, view from near the Cântaro Magro (1,928 m) to east.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Torre |
| Elevation | 1,993 m (6,539 ft) |
| Coordinates | 40°19′18.72″N 7°36′46.68″W / 40.3218667°N 7.6129667°WCoordinates: 40°19′18.72″N 7°36′46.68″W / 40.3218667°N 7.6129667°W |
| Geography | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Parent range | Sistema Central |
| Geology | |
| Type of rock | Granite |
Serra da Estrela (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈsɛʁɐ ðɐ (ɨ)ʃˈtɾelɐ], "Star Mountain Range") is the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal. Together with the Serra da Lousã it is the westernmost constituent range of the Sistema Central and also one of the highest in the system. It includes mainland Portugal's highest point at 1,993 metres (6,539 feet) above mean sea level (although the summit of Mount Pico in the Portuguese Azores islands is higher). This point is not a distinctive mountain summit, but rather the highest point in a plateau, being known as Torre ("Tower" in English). Torre is an unusual summit in that it is accessible by a paved road. The peak has a topographic prominence of 1,204 m (3,950 ft) and its parent peak is Pico Almanzor, in Spain.
There is a ski resort at the summit, named Vodafone Ski Resort.
The mountain range, situated between the municipalities of Seia, Manteigas, Gouveia, Guarda and Covilhã, is about 100 kilometres (60 miles) long and is 30 km (19 mi) across at its widest point. It is formed from a huge granite ridge that once formed the southern frontier of the country.
There are three rivers that have their headwaters in the Serra da Estrela: the Mondego, which is the biggest river entirely within Portuguese territory; and the Zêzere, which is a tributary to the Tagus; a tributary of the Mondego, the Alva also has its headwaters in the range. It is 1,691 m (5,548 ft) high.
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