During the Quaternary period, the entre region was subjected to the action of ice and once this disappeared visible marks were left on the landscape. Valleys in the shape of horseshoes, ravines, polished rocks and lakes of glacial origin are just some of the formations that demonstrate the importance of the ice and snow in modelling the mountains.
The central plateau, dominated by the 7 m Torre (Tower) and Cântaros, location of the glacial valley of the Zêzere, contrasts with another mountain, the Videmonte plateau, which is still in the initial bed of the Mondego, dotted with isolated farms among fields of rye and pastures where cattle are bred. In the valleys to the south west, decorated by terraces and surrounded by the Penha dos Abutres, are the villages of Loriga and Alvoco, which have developed on powerful rocky spurs. Finally, the north west slope stretches from below Seia to the land dominated by the castle of Linhares and the fields where maize is cultivated and vines are planted up the slopes to where the broom grows.
Faunaedit
In terms of fauna, the presence of the bear is a thing of the past and even wolves only roam here sporadically. In addition to the wall lizard that is a feature of the region, other species include otters, genets, badgers, wild cats, water moles, red breasted bullfinches, Algerian wall lizards and midwife frogs.
Floraedit
The natural vegetation appears in three separate sectors. Under 900 m, in very clearly defined areas. Between 800/900 m and 1600 m is the domain of the black oak. From 1600 m upwards, we find the juniper and the high pastures where the gentian, a plant in danger of extinction, can be found.
Human occupationedit
The villages in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park area are mainly at the bottom of the mountains and date back to medieval times. However, before this other cultures left their mark on this area. One of the most notable examples of the Roman presence are the remains at Famalicão and Folgosinho, of the road that connected Mérida to Braga. The route by which it crosses the mountain would certainly have caused difficulties in construction. The Arab influence is seen in the irrigation system and the fruit orchards while the Visigothic culture organized all rural space by applying the Visigoth Code.
Economyedit
Throughout the Natural Park, a traditional mountain economy is practised, centred on agriculture, shepherding of sheep and goats, particularly domestic sheep and the manufacture of Serra da Estrela cheese. The craftsmanship of the region is expressed in basket work using chestnut and wicker, weaving, embroidered cotton and smoked produce.
Galleryedit
Serra da Estrela
Referencesedit
^"Serra da Estrela | DOPA Explorer". dopa-explorer.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
^"Número de visitantes que contactaram as áreas protegidas". ICNF. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
^"Estrela Mountain upper Plateau and upper Zêzere River". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
External linksedit
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Serra da Estrela Natural Park.
(Portuguese language)
Serra da Estrela Natural Park Photos
December 15, 2023
serra, estrela, natural, park, situated, largest, mountain, range, portugal, serra, estrela, source, rivers, mondego, zêzere, tributary, tagus, alva, park, largest, natural, conservation, area, portugal, occupies, about, more, than, half, area, located, above,. Serra da Estrela Natural Park is situated in the largest mountain range in Portugal the Serra da Estrela and is the source of the rivers Mondego Zezere tributary of the Tagus and Alva The park is the largest natural conservation area in Portugal and occupies about 1 000 km More than half of its area is located above an altitude of 700 m At 1 993 m it contains the highest peak in Continental Portugal named Torre and a ski resort named Vodafone Ski Resort Serra da Estrela Natural ParkIUCN category V protected landscape seascape LocationCentral Region PortugalCoordinates40 24 21 N 7 32 15 W 40 40583 N 7 53750 W 40 40583 7 53750Area891 32 km2 344 14 sq mi 1 Max elevation1 991 m 6 532 ft Min elevation291 m 955 ft EstablishedJuly 16 1976 1976 07 16 Visitors7 596 in 2017 2020 average 2 Governing bodyICNFRamsar WetlandOfficial nameEstrela Mountain upper Plateau and upper Zezere RiverDesignated2 December 2005Reference no 1614 3 During the Quaternary period the entre region was subjected to the action of ice and once this disappeared visible marks were left on the landscape Valleys in the shape of horseshoes ravines polished rocks and lakes of glacial origin are just some of the formations that demonstrate the importance of the ice and snow in modelling the mountains Contents 1 Geography 2 Fauna 3 Flora 4 Human occupation 5 Economy 6 Gallery 7 References 8 External linksGeography editThe central plateau dominated by the 7 m Torre Tower and Cantaros location of the glacial valley of the Zezere contrasts with another mountain the Videmonte plateau which is still in the initial bed of the Mondego dotted with isolated farms among fields of rye and pastures where cattle are bred In the valleys to the south west decorated by terraces and surrounded by the Penha dos Abutres are the villages of Loriga and Alvoco which have developed on powerful rocky spurs Finally the north west slope stretches from below Seia to the land dominated by the castle of Linhares and the fields where maize is cultivated and vines are planted up the slopes to where the broom grows Fauna editIn terms of fauna the presence of the bear is a thing of the past and even wolves only roam here sporadically In addition to the wall lizard that is a feature of the region other species include otters genets badgers wild cats water moles red breasted bullfinches Algerian wall lizards and midwife frogs Flora editThe natural vegetation appears in three separate sectors Under 900 m in very clearly defined areas Between 800 900 m and 1600 m is the domain of the black oak From 1600 m upwards we find the juniper and the high pastures where the gentian a plant in danger of extinction can be found Human occupation editThe villages in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park area are mainly at the bottom of the mountains and date back to medieval times However before this other cultures left their mark on this area One of the most notable examples of the Roman presence are the remains at Famalicao and Folgosinho of the road that connected Merida to Braga The route by which it crosses the mountain would certainly have caused difficulties in construction The Arab influence is seen in the irrigation system and the fruit orchards while the Visigothic culture organized all rural space by applying the Visigoth Code Economy editThroughout the Natural Park a traditional mountain economy is practised centred on agriculture shepherding of sheep and goats particularly domestic sheep and the manufacture of Serra da Estrela cheese The craftsmanship of the region is expressed in basket work using chestnut and wicker weaving embroidered cotton and smoked produce Gallery editSerra da Estrela nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp References edit Serra da Estrela DOPA Explorer dopa explorer jrc ec europa eu Retrieved 31 May 2021 Numero de visitantes que contactaram as areas protegidas ICNF Retrieved 31 May 2021 Estrela Mountain upper Plateau and upper Zezere River Ramsar Sites Information Service Retrieved 25 April 2018 External links edit nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Serra da Estrela Natural Park Official Site at the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation Portuguese language Serra da Estrela Natural Park information from the Cultural Landscapes and Cultural Landscape Ecosystems in Europe cultbase Serra da Estrela Natural Park Photos Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Serra da Estrela Natural Park amp oldid 1103721340, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
