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Park geography

Detailed analysis of terrain elevation, coastal landscapes, and park area measurements

Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal

Arrábida Natural Park covers a total area of 176.41 square kilometers within the Setúbal District of Portugal. This profile examines the physical geography of the region, ranging from coastal marine zones to mountainous terrain reaching 501 meters at Formosinho. Users can review data regarding the park's diverse karst topography, forest cover, and specific natural features including various caves, capes, and peaks.

Sandy beach with red lounge chairs, rocky cliffs, green forested hills, and blue ocean under a pink and orange sky with clouds

A Mediterranean mountain range meets the Atlantic on Portugal's southern coast

Arrábida Natural Park

Arrábida Natural Park is a protected landscape in southern Portugal where a dramatic limestone mountain range rises steeply from the Atlantic Ocean, creating one of the most distinctive coastal environments in the country. Established in 1976 and covering approximately 176 square kilometers, the park encompasses the Serra da Arrábida massif, which reaches 501 meters at its highest point, along with coastal cliffs, beaches, and marine areas. What makes this park particularly notable is its geological character: the carbonate geology and white limestone formations create a landscape that resembles Mediterranean coastlines rather than the typical sandy shores and cliffs found elsewhere in Portugal. In 2025, the park was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, recognizing its ecological significance and the successful integration of terrestrial and marine protection. The area supports a remarkable diversity of habitats, with 42 habitat types including Mediterranean woodlands, coastal dunes, and karst cave systems, supporting both Euro-Atlantic and Mediterranean vegetation communities.

Location
Portugal
Park type
Protected landscape
Established
1976
Area
176.4 km²
Highest point
501 m
Arrábida Natural Park Protected Landscape
Location overview

Protected regional territory and coastal marine zones in Portugal

Geographic Profile of Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal

Arrábida Natural Park is situated in Portugal within the Setúbal District. Administrative records define the protected area as a coastal and marine park with no transboundary borders.
Countries
Portugal
Regions
Setúbal District
Primary location
Portugal
Geographic setting
Coastal · Marine
Boundary and coordinates

Analyze geographic dimensions spanning over 176 square kilometers.

Mapping the Geographic Boundaries of Arrábida Natural Park

The mapped outline provides spatial context for the terrestrial and marine zones of Arrábida Natural Park. Regional datasets detail key geographic metrics including total area, coordinate limits, and central coordinates.
Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors
Boundary area
176.4 km²
Boundary perimeter
103.2 km
Northernmost point
38.5704° N
Southernmost point
38.3961° N
Easternmost point
8.8973° W
Westernmost point
9.2349° W
Geographic centre
38.4756° N, 9.0432° W
North–south span
19.3 km
East–west span
29.5 km
Parque Natural da Arrábida
Elevation and terrain

Mountain relief classifications and recorded natural features

Arrábida Natural Park Terrain and Elevation Range Profile

Arrábida Natural Park spans a recorded elevation range from zero to 501 meters across mountain terrain. Individual feature cards detail coastal cliffs, peaks, caves, and beaches located within the protected boundary.
Minimum elevation
0 m
Maximum elevation
501 m
Highest point
501 m

Selected named natural features

Beaches

Praia da Rasca

Cave entrances

Lapa Verde

Cliffs

Placas

Beaches

Praia da Tranca

Cliffs

Vertigem

Capes

Cabo de Ares

Environmental setting

Mediterranean climate zones, relief types, and major forest cover

Arrábida Natural Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting

Stored landscape features, habitat types, and seasonal classifications form complementary ways to read the physical setting of Arrábida Natural Park. Recorded environmental categories link directly to relevant atlas destinations across the protected geography.
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Mediterranean
Water
Major water bodies
Forest cover
Mostly forested
Seasonality
Seasonal

Landscape features

Mountains · Valleys · Forest · Woodland · Grassland · Wetland · Cliffs · Beach · Dunes · Cave · Karst

Habitat types

Mediterranean forest · Temperate broadleaf forest · Grassland · Wetland · Dune habitat · Coastal habitat · Marine habitat

Park atlas

Trace Portugal's diverse protected landscapes, comparing coastal environments and mountain parks surrounding Arrábida.

Explore More Protected Areas Near Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal's Coastal Landscape

Discover other national parks and protected areas situated near Arrábida Natural Park, spanning various coastal and inland landscapes across Portugal. Compare their unique geological formations, marine environments, and conservation statuses to gain a comprehensive understanding of regional protected area geography.
Watercolor painting showing rolling coastal hills with green vegetation, a body of water, and distant mountains under a light sky
Protected landscapeLisbon District
31 km away#1 closest

Northwest

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park: Mapped Protected Landscape in Lisbon District, Portugal

Explore Atlantic coast geography and historic palatial terrain.

The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is a designated protected landscape in Portugal's Lisbon District, renowned for its fusion of natural beauty and historical architecture. This page offers an atlas-style exploration of its mapped boundaries, showcasing the unique Serra de Sintra mountain range meeting the Atlantic coast. Discover the protected area's geographic features, from its lush forested slopes crowned with iconic palaces to the dramatic cliffs and beaches of Cabo da Roca, providing essential context for understanding this distinctive Portuguese natural landscape.

Area
144.51 km²
Established
1981
IUCN
V
Visitors
43.5K annual
Protected landscapeAlentejo Litoral
60 km away#2 closest

South

Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park: A Protected Landscape in Alentejo Litoral

Explore its mapped boundaries and regional geographic context.

This detail page offers a deep dive into the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, a protected landscape situated in Portugal's Alentejo Litoral region. Understand the park's identity as a protected area through its geographic features and mapped extent. MoriAtlas facilitates a structured understanding of this natural landscape, enabling focused discovery of its protected boundaries and regional geographical significance.

Area
895.7 km²
Established
1988
IUCN
V
Visitors
12.7K annual
Watercolor illustration of a landscape with rolling hills, a body of water, and vegetation
Protected landscapePortugal
87 km away#3 closest

North

Aire and Candeeiros Ranges Natural Park: Protected Landscape and Regional Geographic Context

Explore the mapped boundaries and natural landscape of this Portuguese protected area.

Understand the Aire and Candeeiros Ranges Natural Park as a key protected landscape in Portugal. This page offers detailed geographic information, focusing on the park's mapped boundaries and its intrinsic connection to the surrounding regional geography. It serves as a portal for atlas exploration, providing structured data for users interested in the specific protected area and its landscape characteristics within the Iberian Peninsula.

Area
383.93 km²
Established
1979
IUCN
V
Visitors
31.9K annual
Watercolor illustration showing a river flowing through a valley with hills and vegetation
Protected landscapeBeja District
122 km away#4 closest

Southeast

Guadiana Valley Natural Park: Protected Landscape Discovery in Beja District

Explore its mapped geography and protected land context.

Guadiana Valley Natural Park is identified as a protected landscape, providing a specific focus for geographic study and map-based exploration. This entry details the park's unique protected-area status and its contextual placement within the expansive Beja District of southern Portugal. Understand the mapped boundaries and landscape features that define this area, serving as a key point for regional geographic understanding on MoriAtlas.

Area
697 km²
Established
1995
IUCN
V
Visitors
749 annual
Watercolor illustration of a landscape with green hills, scattered trees, and distant mountains under a pink and yellow sky
Protected landscapePortalegre District
150 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Serra de São Mamede Natural Park: A Protected Landscape Defined by Ecological Transition

Explore the unique mountain terrain and ecosystems of Portalegre District.

Delve into the geographic and ecological identity of Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, a significant protected landscape situated in Portugal's Portalegre District. This area is renowned for its dramatic quartzite ridges and its role as a crucial meeting point for Atlantic and Mediterranean plant communities, offering a unique atlas perspective on regional biodiversity. Examining its mapped boundaries and diverse terrain provides essential context for understanding its ecological importance and its distinct position within the Alentejo region's geography.

Area
560.6 km²
Established
1989
IUCN
V
Visitors
4.5K annual
Watercolor illustration of a wetland landscape with grasses, low vegetation, and distant hills under a pale sky
Protected landscapeAlgarve
About 189 km away#6 closest

Southeast

Ria Formosa Natural Park Protected Landscape: Algarve Regional Geography

Explore mapped protected landscapes and regional geographic context.

Examine Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected landscape that defines a significant portion of the Algarve's natural heritage. This atlas-focused exploration details the park's geographic features, its protected status, and its position within the wider regional geography. Understand the mapped extent of this protected landscape and its contribution to the natural context of southern Portugal.

Area
179.01 km²
Established
1978
IUCN
V
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor illustration of a landscape with green mountains, a body of water, and colorful wildflowers in the foreground
Nature reservePortugal
210 km away#7 closest

Northeast

Serra da Estrela Natural Park: Glacial Terrain and Highest Peaks in Portugal

Explore the dramatic geography of this nature reserve.

Serra da Estrela Natural Park is a significant protected landscape in Portugal, celebrated for containing the nation's highest peak and exceptional Quaternary glacial formations. The park's terrain includes dramatic valleys carved by ice, numerous glacial lakes, and a stark alpine plateau around Torre. This nature reserve preserves a unique environment shaped by both geological history and traditional pastoralism, offering rich mapped context for understanding Portugal's mountainous geography and protected areas.

Area
891.32 km²
Established
1976
IUCN
V
Visitors
7.6K annual
Watercolor illustration of a river flowing through wetlands with trees and distant hills
National parkHuelva
262 km away#8 closest

Southeast

Doñana National Park National Park: Mapped Geography and Protected Landscape Context

Explore Huelva's key protected area and its regional geographic setting.

Delve into the structured geographic data and mapped boundaries of Doñana National Park. This entry highlights its identity as a national park within the Huelva region, providing essential context for understanding its protected landscape. MoriAtlas offers this detail to facilitate a clear, atlas-driven exploration of its natural terrain and its place in the broader geographic framework of Spain.

Area
543 km²
Established
1969
IUCN
II
Visitors
376.3K annual
MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring Arrábida Natural Park's Mapped Landscape and Protected Geography

Deepen your understanding of Arrábida Natural Park by continuing your exploration into its specific geographic features and protected landscape characteristics. This MoriAtlas resource allows for detailed analysis of its mapped terrain and its regional context within Portugal, providing a structured foundation for studying conservation areas. Investigate further to build a comprehensive atlas-based perspective on this significant natural protected area.