Regions of Portugal - Porto
The main industrial area in the north is the Douro, whose river runs
down from Spain (917 km from source to coast), providing the vital font
of life along the long valley from the surrounding hillsides down into
Porto and the wine lodges (caves) on the riverfront at Vila Nova de
Gaia. There are many links with the British, most of which are still
visible today in Porto, the country's second largest city ( Oporto is
the anglicised name for it, it is in fact O Porto = the port). About
1.3 million people live in and around Porto, participating in the many
busy commercial activities of the area which, in addition to viniculture,
also include the production of ceramics, cotton goods, sardine-canning
and some farming. The coastline stretching from the Douro southwards
is popular with holidaying Portuguese, although Atlantic winds keep
temperatures to a less tolerable level than in the Algarve at certain
times of the year.
Porto is a bustling city, but small enough to provide an enjoyable
place to live.
Nearest Airport - Porto.