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Photo: Ricardo Oliveira, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
the most important wetland in southern Portugal, stretching along the coast of five municipalities from Vale do Lobo eastward. The spit, lagoon, many small lakes, marshlands, small streams and pine woodland. There are also semi-urban areas, such as the resort Quinta do Lago, and there is agriculture and aquaculture, salt extraction, and even some industry. Just follow a trail into the more pristine areas if you don't like the human interactions with the nature. Birdwatching is excellent. .
The Ria Formosa lagoon, located in the Algarve, in southern Portugal, is a system of barrier islands that connects to the sea through six inlets. Five of these inlets are natural and have mobility characteristics. The sixth is an artificial inlet that was opened with the purpose of allowing easier access to the port of Faro. In 2010, the lagoon was recognised as one of the country’s seven natural wonders. Following a public vote in which 656,356 voted, the Ria Formosa was announced the winner of the Marine Area category of the ‘7 Maravilhas Naturais de Portugal’.
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