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Serra de Monchique

Monchique Range
Serra de Monchique
Serra de Monchique.JPG
View of the Serra de Monchique
Highest point
Peak Fóia
Elevation 902 m (2,959 ft)
Coordinates 37°19′N 8°36′W / 37.317°N 8.600°W / 37.317; -8.600
Dimensions
Length 32 km (20 mi) NE/SW
Width 7 km (4.3 mi) NW/SE
Geography
Monchique Range is located in Portugal
Monchique Range
Monchique Range
Country Portugal
State/Province Algarve
Range coordinates 37°19′N 8°36′W / 37.317°N 8.600°W / 37.317; -8.600Coordinates: 37°19′N 8°36′W / 37.317°N 8.600°W / 37.317; -8.600
Geology
Orogeny Alpine
Age of rock Late Cretaceous
Type of rock Syenite, slate

The Serra de Monchique (Monchique Range) is a chain of mountains in the western part of the Algarve region of Portugal, about 20 km inshore. The chain's highest point is the peak of Fóia, at 902 m. 774 m high Picota is another notable peak.

The Monchique Range is the southwesternmost mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula. It is covered in forest and parts of the range have been transformed into eucalyptus, pine and acacia plantations which are detrimental to the native forest cover. The range is named after the town of Monchique, located in the area.Caldas de Monchique is a well-known spa town with geothermal springs also located in this range.

Rivers Seixe, Aljezur and Odiáxere have their sources in this range.

The Monchique Range is part of the Late-Cretaceous Iberian Alkaline Igneous Province and is related to the Mount Ormonde seamount in the Gorringe Bank. The inselberg is formed primarily of nepheline-syenites (foyaite, for which 'Foia' is the type locality). At c.63 km2 Monchique the fourth largest miaskitic nepheline-syenite intrusion so far discovered. It is assumed to be of 'laccolithic' form, from its regular contact altitude to the Breijera formation (country rock).Pegmatites of similar foyaitic composition are seen within the mass at two locations and an associated dyke swarm of lamprophyres and picrites extends some 3 km from the mountain. the psammite/shale/marl country rocks of the Breijera formation are well exposed to the west of Serra de Monchique, forming jagged outcrops and dramatic gorges, which since the destructive introduction of eucalyptus farming in 1976, now run dry most of the year round.


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