The Rocky Coast of Western Algarve

Abstract

The southernmost coast of Portugal at the Algarve region is characterized by a remarkable diversity and beauty of landscapes, from high cliffs exposing rocks of diverse geological ages to the more recent lowlands. Rocky coastal landscapes are the result of waves, currents, tides and rainwater erosion. The Algarve southern rocky coast may be divided into three main morphostructural domains according to the dominant lithology and structures of the geological formations, which are successively younger eastward alongside the coastline from the Cape St. Vicente to the Olhos de Água Beach. Here, we present some examples of rocky coastal landscapes of south-western Algarve. Additionally, we will provide an explanation of the environmental variables responsible for each of the presented landscape domains.