Algarve news and information portal - AlgarveMais

Amongst the 21 finalists of the competition Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, Algarve has four candidates: headland in Carrapateira, Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park, headland in Sagres, and Ria Formosa estuary and natural park. The public is to choose and elect the seven awarded locations and the voting runs until September 7. Located in Aljezur council, the headland in Carrapateira rises twenty-five metres above sea level. The cliffs face Amado Beach in the south and the vast Bordeira Beach in the north.

The headland in Sagres belongs to Vila do Bispo council and the Ria Formosa estuary and natural park spans across five councils along the eastern coast of the Algarve.

The Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park spanning four councils along Portugal’s south western coastline (covering councils from Alentejo and Algarve) has also been shortlisted.

According to the competition’s rules, no more than two wonders per region will be elected, amongst the winners by categories.

A total of 800 candidates entered the first phase of the competition. This list was cut down to 230 candidates across Portugal, 49 of which from the Algarve that proved to have one or more special aspects, ecologically, scientifically or culturally.

On a third stage, on February 7, a panel of 77 specialists elected the 77 candidates, 11 for each category, pre-selection that confirmed 9 locations in Algarve.

In today's announcement, March 7, the last selection made by the chosen panel includes four nominations for the Algarve, to be decided by the public until September 7.

source: http://www.observatoriodoalgarve.com