A total of eight candidates from the Algarve have been approved for pre-selection in the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal competition.
The candidates include two beaches, a woodland, two headlands, two estuaries and a natural park.
Aljezur council, with the most candidates in the region, has put forward Odeceixe and Arrifana beaches, the headland in Carrapateira and the Bordalete woodland.
Europe’s most south westerly point, the headland at Sagres, which includes Cape St Vincent, is the candidate chosen for Vila do Bispo council, while the Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is also a candidate which spanning four councils along Portugal’s south western coastline.
The Ria Formosa estuary and natural park is also a candidate which spans five Algarve councils along the eastern coast of the Algarve.
Portimão’s Ria de Alvor estuary has also been shortlisted due to the diversity of its ecosystems.
Rare aspects
The New 7 Wonders of Portugal project aims to select seven national natural wonders that have one or more rare aspects, ecologically, scientifically or culturally for example.
Nominations are organised into seven categories: marine, caves, beaches and cliffs, forests and woodlands, peaks, protected areas and non marine.
A total of 800 candidates entered the first phase of the competition, which were cut down in January to 230 candidates across Portugal, 49 of which from the Algarve.
Earlier this month, a panel of specialists elected the 77 candidates, 11 for each category that would go through to pre-selection.
The 21 finalists of the competition, which will include at least one location from each region of Portugal, are due to be announced on March 7.
Final winners will be announced in the Azores on September 11.
For more information about the project, please visit the website, available in Portuguese only, at www.7maravilhas.pt
