Algarvé

Algarvé, the smallest and most southerly of the provinces of Portugal. The name is Arabic, and means 'a land lying to the west.' It was a Moorish province till 1253. Its area is 1873 sq. m. and its pop. (1881) 204,037. The northern part of the province is occupied by a range of barren mountains of an average height of 4000 feet, terminating in Cape St Vincent; and the country slopes southward to the narrow level tract along the coast. The plain, unsuitable for grain, produces abundance of fruit and wine. The inhabitants employ themselves chiefly in fishing, in manufacturing salt, and in cultivating fruit. The chief town is Faro.