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| Serra
da Arrábida |
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| Serra
da Arrábida |
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| Serra
da Arrábida |
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Between
the fishing town of Sesimbra and the city of Setúbal,
on the Costa de Lisboa, the wild beauty of the woods
and thickets of the Arrábida Mountain contrast
strongly with the intense blue of the sea
Text provided by the Portuguese
Tourist Office (with minimal corrections)
Enclosing the coastal mountains of Risco, S. Luís,
Gaiteiros and Louro, this protected area constitutes
a paradise not only for lovers of Nature, but also
as an inexhaustible source of joy for geologists
and biologists, thanks essentially to the various
types of limestone and sand. The
profusion of seaweed, with more than seventy identified
species, and the abundance and diversity of sea
animals, easily justify the special attention given
to this environment. An example of this is the recognition
given to Pedra da Anixa awarding it nature reserve
status. It
is however the land vegetation that makes this park
a place of special interest in the panorama of national
protected areas. Its scientific value and state
of conservation lead to this protected area being
included in the European Network of Biogenetic Reserves,
as well as justifying the creation of 3 integrated
reserve areas: the Solitário, Vidal and Coberta
forests, where the oak reigns. It is often associated
with strawberry trees, mastic trees and bush heather
which are true relics of past geological ages. The
most important of the mammal species include the
wild cat, the genet and the mongoose, as well as
various bat species. Bird life is equally well represented,
with birds of prey being particularly important.
Less known and appreciated, but no less important,
are the insects, including approximately 300 species
of butterfly and 450 species of beetle that have
already been catalogued to the delight of experts.
A
visit to the Oceanographic and Fishing Museum in
the Fort of N. Senhora da Arrábida and to
the Arrábida Convent are an essential extra
on this trip
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