Alentejo, Portugal

Useful Information

  Portugal

  Algarve

  Alentejo

  Central Portugal

  Lisbon

  Northern Portugal

  Living in Portugal

  Buying Property in Portugal

  Leisure Activities in Portugal

The Alentejo region of Portugal, is situated in the south central region of the country and is best known for it's cork oak groves and it's fast growing status of desertification (becoming a desert) because of the shortage of rainfall throughout the year.

The region, which is split in to two further areas - Baixo Alentejo (Lower Alentejo) and Alto Alentejo (the plains) covers 25% of the country's surface area. The vast swathes of fertile, flat land utilised for agriculture has meant the Alentejo region is often  referred to as the 'bread basket'.

The Alentejo region's northern border is defined by the River Tagus (Rio Tejo) which cuts through the entire country dividing north from south from it's border with Spain to the Atlantic coast in Lisbon.

The Alentejo is the largest (31,152 square kilometres) but one of the least populated areas in Portugal, and has one of the oldest average ages of 65.

The Alentejo, which roughly translated means beside or beyond the Tagus, has a rich history and rich in history as it is in agriculture. The capital of the region, Evora, is one of the oldest established cities within Portugal, and dates back over two thousand years.

The Alentejo does hold some hidden gems of Portugal including the aqueduct at Elvas, the Alqueva dam, which created Portugal's largest reservoir.

The landscape of the Alentejo can appear monotonous to many and somewhat uninviting, though the area is worth a visit if not to marvel at the thousands of cork oaks with their trunks stripped but also to experience rural Portugal,.