Alvão Natural Park

The Nature Park of Alvão is a protected area founded in 1983, and located in the municipalities of Mondim de Basto and Vila Real, in the Tâmega and Douro Subregions of northern Portugal. Although the smallest of Portugal's nature parks, it extends through 72.2km2 of mountainous land, populated by approximately 700 locals.HistoryThe nature park was created on 8 June 1983 under terms of decree-law 237/83, as a classified nature park.In order to support the conservation of nature, a resolution of the Council of Ministers (142/97), dated 28 August 1997, integrated Alvão into a broader area of classification under terms of the European Union's Natura 2000 designation: Sítio Alvão-Marão como (Sítio TCON0003 – Alvão-Marão). Under this arrangement community directives, such as those for bird species (79/409/CEE, 2 April) and habitats (92/43/CEE, 21 May) were included within the framework, in order to contribute to the conservation of habitats and species, their respective flora and fauna, considered under threat, within the European Union.GeographyThe Nature Park is located in the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro provinces, in the district Vila Real, divided between the municipalities of Vila Real (parishes of Borbela, Lamas de Olo and Vila Marim) and Mondim de Basto, occupying an area of 7220 hectares or 72.2km2.