The **Algarve** (from Arabic: الغرب *al-Gharb* "the West") is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. The capital of the Algarve is the city of Faro. There is an international airport and a public university (University of Algarve).

The present region of Algarve coincides with the old province of the same name and with the Faro district. The main economic activity in the region is tourism because its beaches and its historical buildings.

History
-------

The name Algarve comes from *Gharb Al-Andalus* (Arabic: غرب الأندلس, *gharb al-ʼandalus*; "The West of Al-Andalus"), or just **Al-Gharb** (Arabic: الغرب, *al-gharb*; "The West"), the name given by the Muslims of Iberia to the region to the west of Andalusia.

Geography
---------

Algarve has an area of 744.57 square kilometres (287.48 square miles). It borders with the Alentejo region (Alentejo Litoral and Baixo Alentejo subregions) to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, and the Guadiana river, and Andalusia (Spain), to the east.

The Algarve region is divided in two zones, each with eight municipalities:

1. *Barlavento*, the western zone, with Portimão as main city; and
2. *Sotavento*, the eastern zone, with Faro as main city.

The main mountain ranges are *Serra de Monchique*, la *Serra de Espinhaço de Cão* and *Serra do Caldeirão*. The highest point in the region is the Fóia mountain, 902 metres (2,959 feet) high, in the *Serra de Monchique* mountain range.

The westernmost point of the region, and of continental Europa, is Cape St. Vincent (Portuguese: *Cabo de São Vicente*), in the municipality of Vila do Bispo.

Administrative division
-----------------------

Algarve is formed by 16 municipalities (or *concelhos*) and 67 *freguesias*.

Municipalities of Algarve

| Map | Municipality | Population(2011) | Area(km²) | Populationdensity | *Freguesias* |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Barlavento** zone |
| 1 | Vila do Bispo | 5,258 | 179.06 | 29.4 | 4 |
| 2 | Aljezur | 5,884 | 323.50 | 18.2 | 4 |
| 3 | Monchique | 6,045 | 395.30 | 15.3 | 3 |
| 4 | Lagos | 31,049 | 212.99 | 145.8 | 4 |
| 5 | Portimão | 55,614 | 182.06 | 305.5 | 3 |
| 6 | Lagoa | 22,975 | 88.25 | 260.3 | 4 |
| 7 | Silves | 37,126 | 680.06 | 54.6 | 6 |
| 8 | Albufeira | 40,828 | 140.66 | 290.3 | 4 |
| **Sotavento** zone |
| 9 | Loulé | 70,622 | 763.67 | 92.5 | 9 |
| 10 | Faro | 64,560 | 202.57 | 318.7 | 4 |
| 11 | São Brás de Alportel | 10,622 | 153.37 | 69.3 | 1 |
| 12 | Olhão | 45,396 | 130.86 | 346.9 | 4 |
| 13 | Tavira | 26,167 | 606.97 | 43.1 | 6 |
| 14 | Alcoutim | 2,917 | 575.36 | 5.1 | 4 |
| 15 | Castro Marim | 6,747 | 300.84 | 22.4 | 4 |
| 16 | Vila Real de Santo António | 19,156 | 61.25 | 312.8 | 3 |

Among the 16 municipalities, Loulé is the largest of the region, with an área of 763.67 square kilometres (294.85 square miles); this municipality and Silves border both the Alentejo region and the Atlantic Ocean. Vila Real de Santo António is the smallest municipality with an área of 61.25 square kilometres (23.65 square miles).

Only three municipalities do not border the ocean: Monchique, São Brás de Alportel and Alcoutim.

Economy
-------

Apartments overlooking the beach in Praia da Rocha, Portimão.
Farming products of the region include fig, almond, orange, carob bean, strawberry tree and cork oak. Horticulture is also important. Fishing and aquaculture are important activities in the coastal area of Algarve.

The wines of the region are well-known. There are four wines in the region which have Protected Designation of Origin (*Denominação de Origem Controlada* – DOC): Lagoa DOC, Lagos DOC, Portimão DOC and Tavira DOC.

Food processing, cement and construction, are the main industries.

Tourism related activities are extensive and make the bulk of Algarve's economy during summer time.

Gallery
-------

* The city of TaviraThe city of Tavira
* The historic centre of LagosThe historic centre of Lagos
* Portimão at nightPortimão at night
* Partial view of CarvoeiroPartial view of Carvoeiro
* A beach in AlbufeiraA beach in Albufeira
* Vila Real de Santo AntónioVila Real de Santo António
* Municipal market of LouléMunicipal market of Loulé
* Silves CathedralSilves Cathedral

Other websites
--------------


Wikimedia Commons has media related to ***Algarve***.

* Algarve travel guide from Wikivoyage
* Associação de Turismo do Algarve