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== Name ==
== Name ==
The [[Latin]] name ''Durius'' might have been a [[Celt|Celtic name]] before the overwhelming Romanization of Iberia. If so, the [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] root could have been ''*dubro-'' (in that family of languages the final vowel sound often changes with context, as in Latin).<ref name="Ferguson1862">{{cite book|author=Robert Ferguson|title=The River-names of Europe|url=https://archive.org/details/rivernameseurop02ferggoog|year=1862|publisher=Williams & Norgate|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rivernameseurop02ferggoog/page/n34 26]–}}</ref> However, were that the case, the -''b''-, of which there remains no trace, would not have disappeared, as evidenced by place-names derived from [[Gaulish]] ''*dubron'' (plural ''dubra''), such as French [[Douvres]] and English [[Dover]] (3rd/4th-century ''Dubris''; ''Douvres'' in French), Spanish Dobra, German [[Tauber]] (''Dubra-gave'' 807), and Gaelic/[[Old Irish]] ''dobur'' "water" and river name ''Dobhar'' in Ireland and Scotland.<ref name="Delamarre">[[Xavier Delamarre]], ''Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise'', Éditions Errance, 2003, p. 151 - 152</ref> Modern [[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''dŵr'' "water" is cognate with modern [[Breton language|Breton]] ''dour'' and Cornish ''dur'' "water" and results from a later typical Brittonic evolution of ''*dubro-'',<ref name="Delamarre"/> unknown in the [[Continental Celtic languages]].
The [[Latin]] name ''Durius'' might have been a [[Celt|Celtic name]] before the overwhelming Romanization of Iberia. If so, the [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] root could have been ''*dubro-'' (in that family of languages the final vowel sound often changes with context, as in Latin).<ref name="Ferguson1862">{{cite book| first= Robert| last=  Ferguson |title= The River-names of Europe| url= https://archive.org/details/rivernameseurop02ferggoog|year=1862|publisher=Williams & Norgate|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rivernameseurop02ferggoog/page/n34 26—]}}</ref> However, were that the case, the -''b''-, of which there remains no trace, would not have disappeared, as evidenced by place-names derived from [[Gaulish]] ''*dubron'' (plural ''dubra''), such as French [[Douvres]] and English [[Dover]] (3rd/4th-century ''Dubris''; ''Douvres'' in French), Spanish Dobra, German [[Tauber]] (''Dubra-gave'' 807), and Gaelic/[[Old Irish]] ''dobur'' "water" and river name ''Dobhar'' in Ireland and Scotland.<ref name="Delamarre">
{{cite book |last= Delamarre |first= Xavier |authorlink= Xavier Delamarre |title= Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise |publisher= Éditions Errance |year= 2003 |pages= 151–152}}</ref> Modern [[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''dŵr'' "water" is cognate with modern [[Breton language|Breton]] ''dour'' and Cornish ''dur'' "water" and results from a later typical Brittonic evolution of ''*dubro-'',<ref name="Delamarre"/> unknown in the [[Continental Celtic languages]].


The possible origin is the [[hydronymic]] root ''*dur-'', which is [[Pre-Indo-European languages|Pre-Indo-European]] or [[Pre-Celtic]]. [[Albert Dauzat]] linked this river name to a Pre-Celtic hydronymic root ''*dor-'', which is well attested in [[Western Europe]]: in France [[Doire]], [[Doron (disambiguation)|Doron]], Douron, etc. and in Italy [[Dora Riparia|Dora]], etc.<ref name="Dauzat">[[Albert Dauzat]], Gaston Deslandes et [[Charles Rostaing]], ''Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de rivières et de montagnes en France'', [[Klincksieck]], Paris, 1978, p. 41b.</ref> The meaning of this element is, however, unknown.<ref name="Dauzat"/>
The possible origin is the [[hydronymic]] root ''*dur-'', which is [[Pre-Indo-European languages|Pre-Indo-European]] or [[Pre-Celtic]]. [[Albert Dauzat]] linked this river name to a Pre-Celtic hydronymic root ''*dor-'', which is well attested in [[Western Europe]]: in France [[Doire]], [[Doron (disambiguation)|Doron]], Douron, etc. and in Italy [[Dora Riparia|Dora]], etc.<ref name="Dauzat">{{cite book |last1= Dauzat |first1= Albert |authorlink1= Albert Dauzat |last2= Deslandes |first2= Gaston |last3= Rostaing |first3= Charles |authorlink3= Charles Rostaing |title= Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de rivières et de montagnes en France |publisher= [[Klincksieck]] |location= Paris |year= 1978 |page= 41b}}</ref> The meaning of this element is, however, unknown.<ref name="Dauzat"/>


A [[False etymology|folk-etymological]] derivation suggests that the name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish term for "golden".<ref>Nick Timmons, ''Portugal'' (1994), p. 99: "The Douro... the Golden River (d'ouro means 'of gold')..."</ref><ref>''DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Portugal'' (2016), p. 239: "...the Douro or "Golden River" weaves its scenic path through deep-cleft gorges..."</ref>
A [[False etymology|folk-etymological]] derivation suggests that the name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish term for "golden".<ref>{{cite book |last= Timmons |first= Nick |title= Portugal |page= 99 |year= 1994 |publisher=  |location= |quote= The Douro... the Golden River (d'ouro means 'of gold')...}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Portugal |publisher=  |location=  |year= 2016 |page= 239 |quote= ...the Douro or 'Golden River' weaves its scenic path through deep-cleft gorges...}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Imagem255 Valbom, Ribeira d'Abade, Freixo, Campanhã, traineira, rio Douro. valboeiros. Postal antigo.1908 - 1.jpg|thumb|235px|left|A 1908 image of boats along the Douro River]]
[[File:Imagem255 Valbom, Ribeira d'Abade, Freixo, Campanhã, traineira, rio Douro. valboeiros. Postal antigo.1908 - 1.jpg|thumb|235px|left|A 1908 image of boats along the Douro River]]


In Roman times, the river was personified as a god, [[Durius]].
In Roman times, the river was personified as the god [[Durius]].


Part of the [[drainage basin]] might have been severely depopulated in the 8th century. According to [[Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz]] this was a deliberate act by [[Alfonso I of Asturias]] for the defence of his [[Kingdom of Asturias|Kingdom]], which led the area to be named [[Repoblación]].
Part of the [[drainage basin]] might have been severely depopulated in the 8th century. According to [[Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz]] this was a deliberate act by [[Alfonso I of Asturias]] for the defence of his [[Kingdom of Asturias|Kingdom]], which led the area to be named [[Repoblación]].


The Douro ''vinhateiro'' (vine-land) of the [[Douro Valley]] in Portugal, long devoted to [[vineyard]]s, has been designated by UNESCO as a [[World Heritage Site]]. The wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called ''[[Rabelo Boat|rabelos]]'', to be stored in barrels in cellars in [[Vila Nova de Gaia]], just across the river from [[Porto]]. Nowadays [[Port wine|port]] is transported there in tanker trucks.
The Douro ''vinhateiro'' ("vine-land") of the [[Douro Valley]] in Portugal, long devoted to [[vineyard]]s, has been designated by UNESCO as a [[World Heritage Site]]. The wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called ''[[Rabelo Boat|rabelos]]'', to be stored in barrels in cellars in [[Vila Nova de Gaia]], just across the river from [[Porto]]. Nowadays [[port wine]] is transported there in tanker trucks.


In the 1960s and 1970s, [[dam]]s with locks were built along the river, allowing river traffic into the upper regions in Spain and along the border.
In the 1960s and 1970s, [[dam]]s with locks were built along the river, allowing river traffic into the upper regions in Spain and along the border.


In 1998, [[Portugal–Spain relations#Present|Portugal and Spain]] signed the Albufeira Convention, an agreement on the sharing of [[trans-boundary river]]s to include the Douro, [[Tagus]] and [[Guadiana]]. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spanish-Portuguese Albufeira Convention|url=https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cooperation_2013/albufeira_convention.shtml|publisher=United Nations|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref>
In 1998, [[Portugal–Spain relations#Present|Portugal and Spain]] signed the Albufeira Convention, an agreement on the sharing of [[trans-boundary river]]s to include the Douro, [[Tagus]] and [[Guadiana]]. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries.<ref>{{cite web |title= Spanish-Portuguese Albufeira Convention| url= https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cooperation_2013/albufeira_convention.shtml|publisher=United Nations |website= un.org |access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Douro SPOT 1123.jpg|thumb|235px|left|A SPOT Satellite image of the Douro River]]
[[File:Douro SPOT 1123.jpg|thumb|235px|left|A SPOT Satellite image of the Douro River]]
[[File:Perfil del Duero.gif|thumb|235px|left|Profile of the Douro River, from its source in the mountains of the [[Sistema Ibérico]] to Foz do Douro]]
[[File:Perfil del Duero.gif|thumb|235px|left|Profile of the Douro River, from its source in the mountains of the [[Sistema Ibérico]] to Foz do Douro]]
It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the [[Tagus River|Tagus]] and [[Ebro]]. Its total length is {{convert|897|km|mi}},<ref name=in/> of which only stretches of the Portuguese section, being below a fall/rapids line, are naturally navigable, by modest rivercraft.<ref name=latin/> The Douro River basin encompasses an area of approximately 97,290 square kilometres.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Morán-Tejeda |first1=Enrique |last2=Ceballos-Barbancho |first2=Antonio |last3=Llorente-Pinto |first3=José Manuel |date=May 2010 |title=Hydrological response of Mediterranean headwaters to climate oscillations and land-cover changes: The mountains of Duero River basin (Central Spain) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921818110000792 |journal=[[Global and Planetary Change]] |volume=72 |issue=1–2 |pages=39–49 |doi=10.1016/j.gloplacha.2010.03.003 |access-date=6 January 2023|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the [[Tagus River|Tagus]] and [[Ebro]]. Its total length is {{cvt|897|km|mi}},<ref name=in/> of which only stretches of the Portuguese section, being below a fall/rapids line, are naturally navigable, by modest rivercraft.<ref name=latin/> The Douro River basin encompasses an area of approximately {{cvt|97,290|sqkm}}.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Morán-Tejeda |first1=Enrique |last2= Ceballos-Barbancho |first2=Antonio |last3=Llorente-Pinto |first3=José Manuel |date=May 2010 |title=Hydrological response of Mediterranean headwaters to climate oscillations and land-cover changes: The mountains of Duero River basin (Central Spain) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921818110000792 |journal=[[Global and Planetary Change]] |volume=72 |issue=1–2 |pages=39–49 |doi=10.1016/j.gloplacha.2010.03.003 |access-date=6 January 2023|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


In its Spanish section, the Douro crosses the great [[Castile (historical region)|Castilian]] ''[[Meseta Central|meseta]]'' and meanders through five provinces of the autonomous community of [[Castile and León]]: [[Soria Province|Soria]], [[Burgos Province|Burgos]], [[Valladolid Province|Valladolid]], [[Zamora Province|Zamora]], and [[Salamanca Province|Salamanca]], passing through the towns of [[Soria]], [[Almazán]], [[Aranda de Duero]], [[Tordesillas]], and [[Zamora, Spain|Zamora]].
In its Spanish section, the Douro crosses the great [[Castile (historical region)|Castilian]] ''[[Meseta Central|meseta]]'' and meanders through five provinces of the autonomous community of [[Castile and León]]: [[Soria Province|Soria]], [[Burgos Province|Burgos]], [[Valladolid Province|Valladolid]], [[Zamora Province|Zamora]], and [[Salamanca Province|Salamanca]], passing through the towns of [[Soria]], [[Almazán]], [[Aranda de Duero]], [[Tordesillas]], and [[Zamora, Spain|Zamora]].
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The most important tributaries in this region are the [[Pisuerga]], passing through [[Valladolid]], and the [[Esla River|Esla]], which passes through [[Zamora Province|Zamora]]. This region is generally semi-arid plains, with [[wheat]] and in some places, especially near ''[[Aranda de Duero]]'', with [[vineyard]]s, in the [[Ribera del Duero]] wine region. [[Sheep]] rearing is also important.
The most important tributaries in this region are the [[Pisuerga]], passing through [[Valladolid]], and the [[Esla River|Esla]], which passes through [[Zamora Province|Zamora]]. This region is generally semi-arid plains, with [[wheat]] and in some places, especially near ''[[Aranda de Duero]]'', with [[vineyard]]s, in the [[Ribera del Duero]] wine region. [[Sheep]] rearing is also important.


The [[drainage basin]] borders those of [[Minho (river)|Miño]] to the north, [[Ebro]] to the east, and [[Tagus River|Tajo]] to the south.<ref name=in>{{cite web|url= http://www.iberianature.com/material/rivers.html |title=Rivers in Spain|work=www.iberianature.com |access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=latin>{{cite web|url= http://www.iberianature.com/material/guided.htm#duero |title=Guide to Spain CO-CU|work=www.iberianature.com |access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref>
The [[drainage basin]] borders those of [[Minho (river)|Miño]] to the north, [[Ebro]] to the east, and [[Tagus River|Tajo]] to the south.<ref name=in>{{cite web|url= http://www.iberianature.com/material/rivers.html |title= Rivers in Spain|work= iberianature.com |access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=latin>{{cite web|url= http://www.iberianature.com/material/guided.htm#duero |title=Guide to Spain CO-CU|work= iberianature.com |access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref>


For {{convert|112|km|mi}}, the river forms part of the [[Portugal–Spain border|border between Spain and Portugal]], in a region of narrow [[canyon]]s. It formed a historical barrier to invasions, creating a cultural/linguistic divide. In these isolated areas, in which the [[Aldeadávila Dam]] impounds the river, there are protected areas: the [[International Douro Natural Park]] (on the Portuguese side) and the [[Arribes del Duero Natural Park]] (on the [[Zamora Province|Zamoran]] margin).
For {{convert|112|km|mi}}, the river forms part of the [[Portugal–Spain border|border between Spain and Portugal]], in a region of narrow [[canyon]]s. It formed a historical barrier to invasions, creating a cultural/linguistic divide. In these isolated areas, in which the [[Aldeadávila Dam]] impounds the river, there are protected areas: the [[International Douro Natural Park]] (on the Portuguese side) and the [[Arribes del Duero Natural Park]] (on the [[Zamora Province|Zamoran]] margin).
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Fifteen dams have been built on the Douro to regulate the water flow, generate [[hydroelectric power]], and allow [[navigability|navigation]] through [[canal lock|locks]]. Beginning at the headwaters, the first five dams are in Spain: [[Cuerda del Pozo Dam|Cuerda del Pozo]], [[Los Rábanos Dam|Los Rábanos]], [[San José Dam|San José]], [[Villalcampo Dam|Villalcampo]] and [[Castro Dam]]s. The next five downstream are along the Portuguese-Spanish border; the first three are owned and operated by Portugal: ([[Miranda Dam|Miranda]], [[Picote Dam|Picote]] and [[Bemposta Dam]]s), while the next two belong to Spain: ([[Aldeadávila Dam|Aldeadávila]] and [[Saucelle Dam]]s).
Fifteen dams have been built on the Douro to regulate the water flow, generate [[hydroelectric power]], and allow [[navigability|navigation]] through [[canal lock|locks]]. Beginning at the headwaters, the first five dams are in Spain: [[Cuerda del Pozo Dam|Cuerda del Pozo]], [[Los Rábanos Dam|Los Rábanos]], [[San José Dam|San José]], [[Villalcampo Dam|Villalcampo]] and [[Castro Dam]]s. The next five downstream are along the Portuguese-Spanish border; the first three are owned and operated by Portugal: ([[Miranda Dam|Miranda]], [[Picote Dam|Picote]] and [[Bemposta Dam]]s), while the next two belong to Spain: ([[Aldeadávila Dam|Aldeadávila]] and [[Saucelle Dam]]s).


The Douro's last five dams are in Portugal, and allow for navigation: [[Pocinho Dam|Pocinho]], [[Valeira Dam|Valeira]], [[Régua Dam|Régua]], [[Carrapatelo Dam|Carrapatelo]], and [[Crestuma–Lever Dam|Crestuma–Lever]] dams. Vessels with a maximum length of {{convert|83|m|ft}} and width of {{convert|11.4|m|ft}} can pass through the five [[canal lock|locks]]. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of {{convert|35|m|ft}}. The waters of Pocinho lake reach {{convert|125|m|ft}} above sea level. Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks.
The Douro's last five dams are in Portugal, and allow for navigation: [[Pocinho Dam|Pocinho]], [[Valeira Dam|Valeira]], [[Régua Dam|Régua]], [[Carrapatelo Dam|Carrapatelo]], and [[Crestuma–Lever Dam|Crestuma–Lever]] dams. Vessels with a maximum length of {{cvt|83|m|ftin}} and width of {{cvt|11.4|m|ftin}} can pass through the five [[canal lock|locks]]. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of {{cvt|35|m|ftin}}. The waters of Pocinho lake reach {{convert|125|m|ftin}} above sea level. Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks.


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
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File:Porto Gaia Foz do Douro.jpg|Looking across the river mouth from [[Foz do Douro]] to [[Vila Nova de Gaia]] (Atlantic Ocean on the right)
File:Porto Gaia Foz do Douro.jpg|Looking across the river mouth from [[Foz do Douro]] to [[Vila Nova de Gaia]] (Atlantic Ocean on the right)
File:Urueña almendro1 lou.jpg|Typical almond tree, mostly seen along the river in Portugal
File:Urueña almendro1 lou.jpg|Typical almond tree, mostly seen along the river in Portugal
File:Terraced vineyards along the Douro river.jpg|Terraced vineyards near Régua are scattered across the rolling hills, reflecting the river.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170502075406/http://www.dourovalley.eu/en DouroValley.eu Main tourism website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170502075406/http://www.dourovalley.eu/en DouroValley.eu (archived)] tourism website
* [http://www.douro.iptm.pt/EN/via_navegavel/caracteristicas.aspx IPTM{{snd}}Instituto Portuário e dos Transportes Marítimos, Delegação do Norte e Douro]
* [http://www.douro.iptm.pt/EN/via_navegavel/caracteristicas.aspx Port and Maritime Transport Institute, Northern and Douro Delegation]
* [http://douro-mapasonoro.blogspot.co.uk/ Rio Douro Sound Map]
* [http://douro-mapasonoro.blogspot.co.uk/ Rio Douro Sound Map]


Latest revision as of 20:57, 25 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

The Douro (Template:IPAc-en, Template:IPAc-en,[1][2][3][4] Script error: No such module "IPA"., Script error: No such module "IPA".; Template:Langx Script error: No such module "IPA".; Template:Langx) is the largest river of the Iberian Peninsula by discharge. It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in the Spanish province of Soria, meanders briefly south, then flows generally west through the northern part of the Meseta Central in Castile and León into northern Portugal. Its largest tributary (carrying more water than the Douro at their confluence) is the right-bank Esla.[5] The Douro flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto, the second largest city of Portugal.

The scenic Douro railway line runs close to the river. Adjacent areas produce port (a mildly fortified wine) and other agricultural produce. A small tributary of the river has the Côa Valley Paleolithic Art site which is considered important to the archaeological pre-historic patrimony, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within Spain, it flows through the middle of the autonomous community of Castile and León, with the basin spanning through the northern half of the Meseta Central. The latter includes wine producing areas such as the Ribera del Duero DOP.

Name

The Latin name Durius might have been a Celtic name before the overwhelming Romanization of Iberia. If so, the Celtic root could have been *dubro- (in that family of languages the final vowel sound often changes with context, as in Latin).[6] However, were that the case, the -b-, of which there remains no trace, would not have disappeared, as evidenced by place-names derived from Gaulish *dubron (plural dubra), such as French Douvres and English Dover (3rd/4th-century Dubris; Douvres in French), Spanish Dobra, German Tauber (Dubra-gave 807), and Gaelic/Old Irish dobur "water" and river name Dobhar in Ireland and Scotland.[7] Modern Welsh dŵr "water" is cognate with modern Breton dour and Cornish dur "water" and results from a later typical Brittonic evolution of *dubro-,[7] unknown in the Continental Celtic languages.

The possible origin is the hydronymic root *dur-, which is Pre-Indo-European or Pre-Celtic. Albert Dauzat linked this river name to a Pre-Celtic hydronymic root *dor-, which is well attested in Western Europe: in France Doire, Doron, Douron, etc. and in Italy Dora, etc.[8] The meaning of this element is, however, unknown.[8]

A folk-etymological derivation suggests that the name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish term for "golden".[9][10]

History

File:Imagem255 Valbom, Ribeira d'Abade, Freixo, Campanhã, traineira, rio Douro. valboeiros. Postal antigo.1908 - 1.jpg
A 1908 image of boats along the Douro River

In Roman times, the river was personified as the god Durius.

Part of the drainage basin might have been severely depopulated in the 8th century. According to Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz this was a deliberate act by Alfonso I of Asturias for the defence of his Kingdom, which led the area to be named Repoblación.

The Douro vinhateiro ("vine-land") of the Douro Valley in Portugal, long devoted to vineyards, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The wine was taken downriver in flat-bottom boats called rabelos, to be stored in barrels in cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. Nowadays port wine is transported there in tanker trucks.

In the 1960s and 1970s, dams with locks were built along the river, allowing river traffic into the upper regions in Spain and along the border.

In 1998, Portugal and Spain signed the Albufeira Convention, an agreement on the sharing of trans-boundary rivers to include the Douro, Tagus and Guadiana. The convention superseded an agreement on the Douro, signed in 1927, that was expanded in 1964 and 1968 to include tributaries.[11]

Geography

File:Douro SPOT 1123.jpg
A SPOT Satellite image of the Douro River
File:Perfil del Duero.gif
Profile of the Douro River, from its source in the mountains of the Sistema Ibérico to Foz do Douro

It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula after the Tagus and Ebro. Its total length is Template:Cvt,[12] of which only stretches of the Portuguese section, being below a fall/rapids line, are naturally navigable, by modest rivercraft.[13] The Douro River basin encompasses an area of approximately Template:Cvt.[14]

In its Spanish section, the Douro crosses the great Castilian meseta and meanders through five provinces of the autonomous community of Castile and León: Soria, Burgos, Valladolid, Zamora, and Salamanca, passing through the towns of Soria, Almazán, Aranda de Duero, Tordesillas, and Zamora.

The most important tributaries in this region are the Pisuerga, passing through Valladolid, and the Esla, which passes through Zamora. This region is generally semi-arid plains, with wheat and in some places, especially near Aranda de Duero, with vineyards, in the Ribera del Duero wine region. Sheep rearing is also important.

The drainage basin borders those of Miño to the north, Ebro to the east, and Tajo to the south.[12][13]

For Script error: No such module "convert"., the river forms part of the border between Spain and Portugal, in a region of narrow canyons. It formed a historical barrier to invasions, creating a cultural/linguistic divide. In these isolated areas, in which the Aldeadávila Dam impounds the river, there are protected areas: the International Douro Natural Park (on the Portuguese side) and the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (on the Zamoran margin).

The Douro fully enters Portuguese territory just after the confluence with the Águeda River; once the Douro enters Portugal, major population centres are less frequent along the river. Except for Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia at the river mouth, the only population centres of any note are Foz do Tua, Pinhão and Peso da Régua. Tributaries here are small, merging into the Douro along the canyons; the most important are Côa, Tua, Sabor, Corgo, Tavora, Paiva, Tâmega, and Sousa. None of these small, fast-flowing rivers is navigable.

Human geography

File:Douro estuary.jpg
Aerial view of the Douro estuary, Porto

Major Spanish riverside towns include Soria, Almazán, Aranda de Duero, Tordesillas, Zamora and major Portuguese towns include Miranda do Douro, Foz Côa, Peso da Régua, Lamego, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto. The most populous cities along the Douro River are Valladolid and Zamora in Spain, and Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. The latter two are located at the mouth of the Douro at the Atlantic Ocean.

In Portugal, the Douro flows through the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Viseu, Vila Real, Aveiro and Porto. Porto is the main hub city in northern Portugal. Its historic centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its significant architecture and history.

Economy

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File:Ribera area along the river Duoro, Porto, Portugal, 2019.jpg
The Ribeira (meaning riverside). Its tall, colourful-building terraces is the main part of the river bank in the major city of Porto; it attracts numerous tourists

These reaches of the Douro have a mesoclimateScript error: No such module "Unsubst". allowing for cultivation of olives, almonds, and especially grapes, which are important for making port. The region around Pinhão and São João da Pesqueira is considered to be the centre of port, with its quintas (or farms/estates) that extend along the steep slopes of the river valleys. In the 21st century, many of these are owned by multinational, reputed wine companies.

Recently, a prosperous tourist industry has developed based on river excursions from Porto to points along the Upper Douro valley.

The Douro railway line (Script error: No such module "Lang".) was completed in 1887; it connects Porto, Rio Tinto, Ermesinde, Valongo, Paredes, Penafiel, Livração, Marco de Canaveses, Régua, Tua and Pocinho.

Pocinho is near the very small city of Foz Côa, which is close to Côa Valley Paleolithic Art site. This is considered important to the archaeological pre-historic patrimony, and it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dams

Fifteen dams have been built on the Douro to regulate the water flow, generate hydroelectric power, and allow navigation through locks. Beginning at the headwaters, the first five dams are in Spain: Cuerda del Pozo, Los Rábanos, San José, Villalcampo and Castro Dams. The next five downstream are along the Portuguese-Spanish border; the first three are owned and operated by Portugal: (Miranda, Picote and Bemposta Dams), while the next two belong to Spain: (Aldeadávila and Saucelle Dams).

The Douro's last five dams are in Portugal, and allow for navigation: Pocinho, Valeira, Régua, Carrapatelo, and Crestuma–Lever dams. Vessels with a maximum length of Template:Cvt and width of Template:Cvt can pass through the five locks. The highest lock, at Carrapatelo Dam, has a maximum lift of Template:Cvt. The waters of Pocinho lake reach Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level. Unannounced releases of water from upstream Spanish dams occasionally causes navigation issues in these locks.

Gallery

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Template:Cite American Heritage Dictionary
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  3. ↑ "Douro" (US) and Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links

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