Algarve, the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, now Faro District, had no institutions, special privileges, or autonomy, but was considered always one of the jewels of the Portuguese Crown. From Afonso III (r. 1248-1279) until the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic (1910) all the Portuguese monarchs bore the title of King of Portugal and Algarve. It extend south of the Tagus valley to the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, the length of the south-facing coastline being approximately 155km, and beyond the Cape St. Vincent it stretches a further 50km to the north.
The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety, cuisine and relatively low costs. Is also popular for religious tourism, for example with the pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Piety. Historically, the Algarve was the last region to be conquered from the Moors during the Reconquista, so the Moorish influences are perfectly visible throughout the region. The traditional architecture, with white houses with terraces and typical Moorish chimneys, the almond and orange tree, among other fruit trees that can be seen over the fields, are Moorish inheritances.
About the stamps
The first stamp is part of the second set of the definitive stamp series started in 2007 depicts public transportation used in the first half of the 20th century in various Portuguese cities. The set, issued on September 12, 2008, contains five stamps:
• electrical tram No 250 - Porto 1927 (0.06 EUR) - it's on this postcard
• taxi oldsmobile - Lisbon 1928 (0.31 EUR)
• electrical tram - Cascais 1926 (0.47 EUR)
• bus - Lisbon 1944 (0.67 EUR)
• electrical tram No 2 - Coimbra 1911 (0.80 EUR)
The second stamp is part of a series of two, issued on September 6, 2006 for commemorate 50th Anniversary of the first Television broadcast in Portugal: 0.30 EUR (it's on this postcard), 0.60 EUR.
The third stamp is part of a series of three, issued on June 3, 2011 for commemorate 50 Years of the Escola de Fuzileiros: 0.32 EUR (it's on this postcard), 0.80 EUR, and 2.50 EUR.
References
Algarve - Wikipedia
sender: ferro (postcrossing)
sent from ? (Portugal), on 18.07.2012
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