FARO, the name of a town of Portugal, in the province of Algarvia. It is situated in a level and sandy plain, about a league from the sea, and on the bank of the river Da Quarteira. The town, which is quite open, is regularly built, and has tolerably broad streets, composed of small houses. The houses in that part of the town round the church of San Pedro, have still a Gothic appearance, as this was the only part of the town which escaped, when it was plundered and burnt by the English in 1596. There is a handsome square with some considerable buildings, situated on the side of the river ; and one side of the town is defended by a small citadel. Faro is the see of a Bishop, suffragan of Evora, and has a governor, atbrigadier, and a corregidor. It contains two parishes, and three monaste ries. Small vessels can come up to the town, but large ones are obliged to unload in the road or lower down the river, which, after numerous windings, forms the narrow entrance of the harbour a league and a half to the south east of the town. The harbour is defended by the fort of San Lourenco the Olha6, situated on the east side of the river. Another narrow arm of the river, or properly speak ing the sea, called a Baretta, forms an island, on which is the sandy cape of Santa Maria. In all the maps, this isl
and is laid down at too great a distance from the land. The tract between the town and the sea is very marshy, and is covered with marine plants. It is fiat and sandy on the op posite side ; and at a distance rise the mountains of San Miguel, which are high and steep, but well cultivated to wards their base.
The greater part of the trade of Algarvia is carried on at Faro. Wine and fruits, but particularly figs, are expor ted in great quantities. The figs are thrown down by the country people in a heap, in a building for this purpose. The syrup which flows from them is used in making brandy. They are then spread in the sun in an open situation, and are afterwards pressed into small baskets made of the leaves of the fan palm, each containing 23 pounds. They are chiefly of the white kind, though the red, particularly the Figo do Enehat in, and do 13ispo, are most esteemed. Oranges and Spanish reeds are also exported from Faro to England. Number of houses 1200; population 5000. West Long. 7° 52', North Lat. 37° 2'. (j)