Hundreds of locations nominated to Portugal’s Natural Wonders

Sunday, 24 January 2010 00:00

Hundreds of different locations across continent Portugal, Madeira and the Azores, have been nominated as candidates to Portugal’s Seven Natural Wonders. The competition takes into account Marine and Non-Marine Aquatic Areas, Caves and Grottoes, Beaches and Cliffs, Forests and Countryside, Large Landscapes and Protected Areas. Large Landscapes was one of the most popular categories with the nominations of the Zêzere Glacier Valley (Centro), the Marvão and São Mamede Mountains (Alentejo) Pedras Parideiras (Centro) and Pedra Bolideira (Norte). The River Vez (Norte) and the Fisgas de Ermelo (Norte) and Portas do Vale do Almourão (Centro) natural formations are also in that category. Non-Marine Aquatic Areas the Óbidos Lake, Alvor Ria (Algarve), and the rivers Mouro (Norte), Alva (Centro), Douro (Norte) and Paiva (Norte). The category also includes the Cabreia Waterfall (Sever do Vouga), Fraga da Pena (Arganil) and Sapal do Rio Coina (Barreiro). Marine areas include the Berlenga Islands and the ‘Onda dos Supertube Wave’, on the Ondas do Supertubo beach, in Peniche. The 77 official candidates will be revealed on February 7th. On March 7th, 21 finalists (3 per category) will be announced and offered for a public vote online until September 7th.The final ‘Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal’ will be announced in the Azores this September.