Portugal - Some Basic Facts

Mainland Portugal is located at the far south-west of Europe but the country includes the Azores and Madeira archipelagos in the Atlantic. The mainland occupies an area of nearly 89,000 square kilometres, is 218 km wide and 561 km long.

The Azores lie in the Atlantic between Europe and North America, have an area of 2,355 km2 and comprise nine islands - São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo.

Madeira has a total land area of 741 km2 and lies in the Atlantic some 500km from the African coast and 1,000km from Europe. It consists of the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, as well as the uninhabited Desertas and Selvagens islands.

The climate in mainland Portugal varies considerably from region to region. Much of it enjoys mild winters, especially the Algarve.

Closer to the Spanish border the winters are cooler, although the temperatures are still mild in comparison with much of Europe. There is some snowfall, primarily in the Serra da Estrela mountains - the highest point in mainland Portugal.

The summers are hot and dry, especially inland. Temperatures are slightly lower in the coastal areas due to the influence of the sea.

POPULATION

Portugal's population is around ten million. As could be expected density is highest in Lisbon and its suburbs, where about 1.9 million people live. The second largest city in Portugal is Oporto in the north of the country. Generally more people live in the country’s coastal regions than in the inland areas.

The majority of Portuguese people are Roman Catholic, however the Portuguese Constitution guarantees religious freedom and there are many different religions practiced in Portugal.

Portuguese is the third most spoken European language and the native tongue of about 250 million people. It is the national language of Brazil.

Albufeira and the Algarve

Albufeira rests under the jurisdiction of the District of Faro, which is in the Algarve province on the south coast of Portugal. It incorporates an area of approximately 140 square kilometres and boasts around 40,000 residents, including some 4,000 foreign nationals. In an average year Albufeira experiences around 3,000 hours of sunshine. Its golf courses and vibrant nightlife attract visitors in large numbers from all across Europe and beyond.

Tourism as a major industry began to flourish back in the 1960s. Today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. To accommodate its growing popularity the town has of necessity expanded into the once surrounding countryside areas. Montechoro, Areias de São João and Oura have joined the Old Town as centres of attraction for visitors, and the recent completion of the Marina has extended Albufeira's development from its eastern side across to Salgados and Galé in the west.

Some five million tourists visit the Algarve each year, with a good number of them traveling to Albufeira. Although this activity peaks in the summer Albufeira and the Algarve are perennial holiday destinations for many.

About the Clube Praia da Oura

Clube Praia da Oura is a hugely popular resort on the golden Albafeira beach in the Algarve. A combination of wonderful sea views, great facilities and an almost family atmosphere inspires many guests to return again and again, making friends both at the resort and with one another.

The site boasts two swimming pools, a sauna, a launderette, a restaurant, a children's play area and several bars, as well as being a short walk or bus ride away from Albufeira, both the Old Town and the famous Strip. It is also linked with four nearby hotels whose facilities are also available to CPO residents. Much of the site overlooks the beach; that part of it that doesn't is just a short stroll away.

Staff at the resort are without exception helpful. Whether you want information, need money changed or a transfer to the airport booked, or require something for your room, they are always just a 'phone call or a visit away.

A full evening entertainment schedule is provided, with many acts "touring" between CPO and its sister sites so guests are able either to visit their favourite acts across the locations or stay at "home" and watch a varied programme throughout the week. Regular acts include Michael Jackson, Elvis and Tina Turner tributes, a sax player, various vocalists, in-house Country & Western and Latin dancing shows and a great deal more. There are also regular karaoke nights and talent contents. During the day activities include dancing lessons, Portuguese language classes, archery and bird and reptile shows - to name but a few. A comprehensive list of outings and expeditions is also available each and every week, and guests can book day trips to Seville, Lisbon or Gibraltar as well as days at the market, historic adventures and safari tours.

For the British tourist the weather has appeal too. During the summer it is hot, and pool parties are held every weekday afternoon (especially enjoyable with a cocktail from the Pool Bar - Ed.). Even during the winter months it is often warm enough to sunbathe, and visitors are to be seen walking around town in vests and shorts (thereby conveniently distinguishing them from the locals, who think it is cold).

CPO really does offer the ultimate holiday experience in the popular and unspoilt beach resort that is the Algarve. Its growing "family" is testimony to the popularity of the site.

Friends of CPO

This new blog is dedicated to the Clube Praia da Oura (CPO), a leading holiday resort on the golden Albufeira beach on the sunny Algarve.

We hope to bring you news, views, information and articles, from CPO users and from all around the resort. Please feel free to leave a comment, or to send us in an article - if it's relevant, clean and in reasonably good taste we'll be happy to publish it.

Hope you enjoy the blog, and please do bookmark us and come back to visit us regularly.