ALGARVA, ALGARVIA, ALGARVEZ, is the most southern province of Portugal, and still retains the title of a kingdom. It is bounded on the south and west by the Atlantic ocean ; on the east by the Guadiana, which separates it from Andalusia; and, on the north, it is separated from Alentejo, by a broken chain of moun tains, called Serra de .4Igarve, and Serra de Monchique, which extend from Villa do Bispo to the Guadiana, and are composed of sand-stone and argillaceous schistus. These wild and barren mountains are separated by nar row valleys, from a chain of low but steep limestone mountains, uncultivated, and covered with loose stones, Which extend from Cape St Vincent to Tavira, where they terminate in a narrow strip of culti‘ ate d hind, reaching to the sea, on which are built most of the towns and villages of Algarva. The hills grow constantly flat ter towards Cape St Vincent, and the promontory it self, consisting of gray limestone, is so bare and rug ged, that it is difficult to travel over it. The sea-coast is bold and rocky, rising occasionally to a height of 80 feet. This province, which is 90 miles long, and 201 broad, is in general well cultivated ; but, at a distance of two leagues from the coast, nothing is to be seen but barren hills. Though the consuniption of corn exceeds the produce of the country, yet the bread in Algarva is superior to that in any other part of Portugal. The oil is also of a superior quality, and is exported in great quantities. Contrary to the custom or the country, all
the wine is white. The principal produce of Algarva is figs, which are exported when dried ; and almonds grow in great quantities round Tavira, where there is also much garden fruit, Spanish reeds, and flax. With the exception of Greece, Algarva is the only country that practises caprification, or the method of ripening the domestic lig by the puncturing of gnats. This pro It is capable of great Excepting in the neighbourhood of Faro, there arc no high-road:, in the province, but merely paths For foot passengers and horses. During the earthquake at Lisbon, in 1755, the sea swelled to such a degree, that it passed over the creek at the port of Sagres, and inundated the whole country. The inhabitants of Algarva are inferior to the rest of the Portuguese in politeness and refinement, but this defect is compensated by superior wit and acuteness. As mariners, they are unrivalled by any of their countrymen. boatmen or Lisbon are chiefly Algarvians, and it is not uncommon to find the inhabi tants of this province serving hi the navy of other na tions. The chief town of Algarva is properly La gos, though the governor, along w ith a pro\ edor, re sides at Tai Ira. The population of this pros ince, ac cording to the enumeration of the governor in 178'..), is 93,472, of whom 6521 were husbandman, and 5575 la bourers. See Link's Trave/8 in Portugal, P. 434 343. (x)