Portugal's Nature Parks
In the southwest of Portugal lies the little known Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. It encompasses a narrow coastal strip that runs along the coast to the south of Portugal. Sparsely populated, this coastal region, which was placed under protection in 1988, is considered one of the last intact ecosystems in Europe. The steep cliffs, the almost constant wind and high waves have ensured that mass tourism has not gained a foothold here. There are still near-natural forests and a diverse bird life.