Streams
Park geography
Examine the spatial data, coastal terrain, and physical landscape features of this protected area.
Northern Littoral Natural Park: Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Mapped Regional Boundaries
This geographic profile details the administrative and physical landscape of Northern Littoral Natural Park, a protected area spanning 87.62 square kilometers in the Esposende region of Portugal. The data encompasses coastal dunes, wetlands, and river systems such as the Neiva and Cávado, alongside a mapped perimeter of 62.3 kilometers.
Portugal's finest Atlantic dune ecosystem and coastal wetland sanctuary
Northern Littoral Natural Park
Northern Littoral Natural Park is one of Portugal's thirteen natural parks, established in 1987 to protect a remarkable stretch of Atlantic coastal ecosystems in the country's northern region. Located along the shores of Esposende municipality in Braga and Porto districts, the park encompasses approximately 87 square kilometers of which roughly 85 percent is aquatic environment, including estuaries, lagoons, and marine waters. The park preserves what constitutes the longest and best-preserved sequence of Atlantic dunes in northern Portugal, a landscape of significant ecological fragility and outstanding natural value. The estuaries of the Cávado and Neiva rivers form the terrestrial heart of the park, creating a mosaic of wetland habitats that support extraordinary biodiversity and serve as critical waypoints for migratory birds traveling between northern Europe and Africa.
- Location
- Portugal
- Park type
- Protected landscape
- Established
- 1987
- Area
- 87.6 km²
Location overview
Coastal geography across Braga and Porto districts in Portugal
Geographic Location and Regional Setting of Northern Littoral Natural Park
Northern Littoral Natural Park is situated along the coast of Portugal within the Braga and Porto districts. Regional records classify the protected area as a dedicated coastal park under Portuguese administration.
- Countries
- Portugal
- Regions
- Braga District, Porto District
- Primary location
- Esposende
- Geographic setting
- Coastal
Boundary and coordinates
Mapped park geometry and derived spatial measurements
Northern Littoral Natural Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent
Spatial context emerges directly from the interactive mapped boundary outline. Accompanying facts detail total area metrics, coordinate limits, centre points, and geographic spans.
- Boundary area
- 87.6 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 62.3 km
- Northernmost point
- 41.6131° N
- Southernmost point
- 41.4669° N
- Easternmost point
- 8.754° W
- Westernmost point
- 8.8673° W
- Geographic centre
- 41.5379° N, 8.8163° W
- North–south span
- 16.2 km
- East–west span
- 9.5 km
Terrain and natural features
Stored lowland classifications and recorded coastal and river features
Northern Littoral Natural Park Terrain and Named Natural Features
Northern Littoral Natural Park encompasses lowland terrain classifications without a recorded vertical relief summary. Recorded cards detail named natural features, including beaches, rivers, lakes, and viewpoints located within the protected area.
Selected named natural features
Beaches
Praia de S.Bartolomeu
Beaches
Praia Suave Mar (Centro)
Beaches
Praia Suave Mar (Sul)
Rivers
Rio Neiva
Viewpoints
Torre de Observação Panorâmica de Belinho
12 m high
Environmental setting
Lowland relief, major water presence, and coastal habitat types
Northern Littoral Natural Park Environmental Setting and Classification Atlas
Recorded landscape features and habitat types frame the physical setting of Northern Littoral Natural Park across coastal wetlands and river corridors. Stored environmental classifications link directly to connected protected areas and regional geography across the atlas.
- Relief
- Lowland
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- No forest cover
Landscape features
Dunes · Coast · Beach · Wetland · Rivers
Habitat types
Coastal habitat · Wetland · Dune habitat
Park atlas
Map Portugal's Atlantic Coast Protected Landscapes, Comparing Estuarine Wetlands and Dune Systems
Explore Nearby National Parks and Coastal Protected Areas Beyond Northern Littoral Natural Park
After exploring Northern Littoral Natural Park, delve into other protected areas across Portugal's northern coastal region and compare their unique estuarine, dune, and wetland ecosystems. This geographic overview offers rich context for understanding the broader protected landscape and tracing the spread of coastal conservation efforts.
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- Area
- 695.93 km²
- Established
- 1971
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 92.8K annual
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Explore mapped island ecosystems and protected marine areas.
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- Area
- 84.8 km²
- Established
- 2002
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 472.3K annual
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East
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Discover dramatic landscapes and mapped terrain.
Alvão Natural Park is a protected area in northern Portugal distinguished by its stark geological contrasts: upper granite plateaus and steep schist lowlands. This unique geography supports diverse ecosystems and features the impressive Fisgas de Ermelo waterfall. Explore the park's mapped boundaries and its role as a significant protected landscape within the region, offering rich context for any geographic exploration.
- Area
- 72.03 km²
- Established
- 1983
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
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Exploring the river basins, granitic massifs, and ecological frontiers
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- Area
- 214.82 km²
- Established
- 2005
- Relief
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- Scope
- Terrestrial
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Montesinho Natural Park: Protected Landscape in Bragança District, Portugal
Explore mapped boundaries and regional landscape context.
Montesinho Natural Park is designated as a protected landscape in northeastern Portugal, located within the administrative region of Bragança District. This page serves as an entry point to understanding the park's protected area characteristics, its mapped geographic footprint, and its role in the broader natural landscape of the Trás-os-Montes region. Discover the atlas value of this significant protected territory and its relation to surrounding geography.
- Area
- 742.25 km²
- Established
- 1979
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
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Explore the dramatic geography of this nature reserve.
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- Area
- 891.32 km²
- Established
- 1976
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 7.6K annual
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Northeast
Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño: Mapped Landscapes and Geographic Overview
Extensive riverine forests and wetland networks in northwestern Spain
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- Area
- 3,636.69 km²
- Established
- 2002
- Relief
- Lowland
- Scope
- Terrestrial
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165 km away#8 closest
North
Reserva de la biosfera de las Mariñas Coruñesas y Tierras del Mandeo: Regional Geography and Maps
A diverse protected area across Galicia, Spain
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- Area
- 1,139.7 km²
- Established
- 2013
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Northern Littoral Natural Park's Geographic and Landscape Features
Deepen your understanding of Northern Littoral Natural Park by exploring its specific protected landscape features and mapped geographic context. MoriAtlas facilitates structured discovery, enabling you to trace its boundaries and connect it with surrounding natural regions. Continue your atlas journey to grasp the full scope of protected areas and their ecological importance.
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