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Although Portugal is a small country, it has a wide variety of soils. The climate is typically Mediterranean; however, there are some climatic variables.

The differences between soils are noticeable from north to south and caused by changes in topography and geology, which also influence the growing of vines.

The Mediterranean climate is characterised by irregular precipitation, which causes the soils to erode, therefore making it quite difficult to find good soils for agriculture. On top of that, the Atlantic Ocean contributes also to strong coastal erosion and changes in climate. The influence of the continental climate is visible in the interior regions.

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	Vinhos Verdes

	Trás-os-Montes

	Douro

	Bairrada

	Dão

	Beira Interior, Távora-Varosa e Lafões

	Lisboa

	Ribatejo

	Península de Setúbal

	Alentejo

	Algarve

	Madeira

	Azores



Soil Most of the region has granite soils. However, it is crossed by a Silurian area, where one finds carboniferous and flagstone formations. There’s also a part of the region that has schist soils. Climate This region’s climate is under strong Atlantic influence. Annual precipitation levels are high and temperature variations throughout the year are relatively small. Atmospheric moisture is high due to precipitation and maritime winds.



Soil Litholic non-humic soils derived from granite and brownish or red Mediterranean soils of schist, clayey materials, gneisses or others. Climate Climate is temperate with continental characteristics. Temperatures are very low in winter, though very high in summer. In the western mountains, annual average precipitation is 2500mm, and 1500mm in the interior.



Soil Greywacke/schist and granite soils. Climate The climate is Atlantic in the west part of the region, Atlantic-Mediterranean in the centre, and Mediterranean in Douro Superior. Temperatures are higher in the interior, where there’s low precipitation; however, the formation of frost is common in autumn and winter.



Soil Jurassic or Triassic clay-limestone soils. Sandy soils of the Pilo-Pleistocene and alluvium soils. Climate Temperate climate marked by strong influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are fresh, long and rainy. Summers are hot, though softened by western or north-western winds, which are more frequent in areas by the sea.



Soil Granite soils that are easily damaged by climatic or biological factors. Therefore, soils are coarse and not very fertile. Climate Temperate climate: cold, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. In summer, temperatures may reach 30ºC and precipitation is rare. November and December present the highest precipitation rates.



Soil Brownish or red Mediterranean soils derived from metamorphosed schists and gneisses, brownish Mediterranean soils of pre-Cambrian schists or greywackes and litholic non-humic soils derived from granites and migmatites. Climate Climate is temperate with continental influence, since the region is located far from the sea. Winters are very cold and precipitation often occurs in the form of snow. Summers, on the other hand, are very hot and dry.



Soil Normal or loam, brownish or red Mediterranean soils derived from fine sandstones, clays and claystone; litholic non-humic and podzol soils of sandstones and limestone soils. In Colares, soils are formed by sand supported on consolidated materials, usually called “sand floor”, or brownish limestone soils derived from marls or similar materials, traditionally called “hard floor”. Climate Climate is temperate, Mediterranean. Summers are very hot and winters mild, especially in areas close to the coast. Temperature range is low and precipitation occurs in winter months.



Soil Three distinct types of soil: Marshland, Moorland and Heath. The Marshland, located by the river, is very fertile; the Moorland has medium and low fertility clay-limestone soils; and the Heath is made up of sandy soils with some clay, formed by alluvium. Climate The climate is essentially temperate, Mediterranean. The region is very influenced by the river Tejo. Summers are hot and in winter temperatures are relatively mild. Precipitation occurs in autumn and winter.



Soil In flat areas one finds nutrient-poor sandy soils (podzols and regosols) with low water retention. In higher areas there are mainly clay-limestone soils of different properties. Climate Although the climate is markedly Mediterranean, there are some differences between flat areas and areas of greater relief. In flat areas, daily temperature range and average annual temperature are higher than in areas of greater relief, which have higher precipitation and lower number of hours of sunshine per year.



Soil Granite soils with some areas of schist and quartzdiorite derivatives. In Borba, soils are mainly derivative of crystalline limestones, and of brownish ones in Moura. Climate Climate is Mediterranean with some continental characteristics. Summers are extremely hot, dry and precipitation is very low. In winter, precipitation is a little higher and average temperatures are around 11ºC. Throughout the year, the region enjoys over 3000 hours of sunshine.



Soil Mainly sandy soils. There are also sandy loam soils near the coast and sandy clay, clay-limestone or schist soils in the interior and western areas. Climate Typically Mediterranean climate: low temperature range throughout the year and low precipitation levels. The region is dry, not very influenced by winds and gets over 3000 hours of sunshine per year.



Soil Poor soils, whose constitution varies with altitude. They are a result of the degradation of volcanic rocks and are made of basalt, trachyte, tuff, slags and conglomerates. In Porto Santo, soil is made up of limestone. Climate The region’s climate has subtropical characteristics and average temperatures vary between 24ºC in summer and 18ºC in winter. Precipitation is higher in the north coast than in the south coast, since the latter is protected by mountains.



Soil As the Terceira, Pico and Graciosa islands are of volcanic origin their soils are not very thick and are made up of basaltic rocks, trachytes, andesites and clay formations. Climate The climate is very influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and is characterised by mild temperatures and low temperature range. The air is humid (relative moisture content of 75%) and precipitation is regular throughout the year, though more abundant in winter.