Rías Baixas

The Ría de Muros e Noia is the smallest of the Rías Baixas as well as the most northern.[1] The part of the ria known as Muros is in the area closest to the mouth (outer zone), while the Noia portion is farther in the estuary near the head (inner zone).[6] Out of all five Rias Baixas, this is the only one not to have islands near the mouth.[1] The principal river to join the Ría de Muros e Noia is the Tambre. Important natural features in the area are the mountain and lagoon of Louro as well as the Corrubedo wetlands.[7]

The Ría de Arousa is the largest of the Rías Baixas.[1] In addition to the main ria, there is a smaller branch inlet further inland known as the Grove Inlet.[1] The largest river to join with the Ría de Arousa is the Ulla. The Ría de Arousa is especially important in the seafood industry as it accounts for over half of the mussel farming in the Rías Baixas.[8] As is the case with the Ría de Muros e Noia, the Ría de Arousa has two lagoons, one with fresh water and the other with salt water.[9] In the area there is also the Parque Natural de Dunas de Corrubedo where visitors can admire sand dunes- the largest in Galicia.[9]

A four-masted schooner moored in the Ría de Pontevedra

The Ría de Pontevedra is the second southernmost of the Rías Baixas.[1] Similar to the Ría de Arousa, the Ría de Pontevedra also has a smaller, distinct, inlet known as the Ría de Aldan.[1] The Lérez River is the principal river to flow into the Ría de Pontevedra and at the mouth are islands known as Ons Island and Onza Island. Unique to the Pontevedra area are a series of rock engravings.[10] The Ria de Pontevedra has numerous marinas such as Pontevedra, Combarro, Aguete (Marín) and Sanxenxo, the Galician summer tourist capital, which makes the Ria de Pontevedra the most tourist of the Rías Baixas. The estuary has numerous beaches on both shores such as Portocelo, Mogor, Aguete or Lapamán on the south shore and Cabeceira, Areas, Paxariñas, Canelas, Montalvo, Pragueira, Major and the famous La Lanzada on the north shore.

A seagull surveys the Ria de Vigo

The Ría de Vigo is the southernmost of the Rias Baixas.[1] Within the overall ria there are two separate areas: the San Simón Inlet and the Ria of Bayona.[1] The main river to join with the Ría de Vigo is the Verdugo. Out to sea, the Cies Islands are associated with the ría. Their location in the ocean near the mouth allow for the protection necessary to have a safe port.[1] In addition to the port, the Ría de Vigo contains many marinas.[11] The coastline within the Ría de Vigo has two distinct parts. The upper and inner areas are calm, while the southern coastline contains more turbulent waters.[12]

Galicia's only national park is Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia (Galician for "Galician Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park").[13] This park is made up of the Ons, Salvora, Cortegada and Cíes Islands, each located at the mouth of one of the Rías Baixas. Both the islands as well as surrounding oceanic areas are included in the park, which takes up a total of around 8,333 hectares. The designation of the area as a national park is still fairly recent, occurring on July 1, 2002.[14] In addition to attracting visitors, the park serves as an important refuge for a variety of marine and island life. Populations of algae and shellfish are present in the water around the islands. Even large mammals such as dolphins, seals, and whales occasionally appear in the area.[15] On the islands, many types of seabirds make their homes.[16]

Visitors to the park can participate in taking walks, bird and wildlife watching, and occasionally camping. However, the designation of the park as a protected area prevents too many people from being on the islands at once Special permission is needed for certain activities, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, or sailing.[16]

Fish farming in the Ría de Vigo near Domaio

An especially important industry to Galicia is that of seafood and a large amount of that seafood comes from the Rías Baxias. Fishing and harvesting the abundant aquatic life that live in the rias is one way of supporting the industry. Another is using the area for aquaculture such as mussel farming.[1] The port of Vigo is especially important in serving the fishing industry. In fact, it has become the leading fishing port in Europe.[17]

For many of the people who live in Galicia, the ocean and rías have provided their livelihood. Approximately 400,000 people make their living from fishing or performing services that help the industry.[18] Most of the population of the region is still located near the coast and Vigo is the city with the largest population of the working class in Galicia.[19] However, even though the fishing industry remains strong, changes in the world's oceans, such as less available fish, as well as competition with other countries have caused many young people to leave the industry and even the country.[18]

The town of Marín on the Ría de Pontevedra

• Vigo - major commercial and fishing port - - Province of Pontevedra
• Marín-Pontevedra - major commercial port - - Pontevedra Province
• Vilagarcía de Arousa - major commercial port - - Pontevedra Province
• Ribeira - fishing port - - Province of A Coruña
• Cangas - fishing port - - Pontevedra Province
• Baiona - fishing port - - Pontevedra Province
• Bueu - fishing port - - Pontevedra Province

Wine making is another industry that is important to the Rías Baixas and surrounding land. There are approximately 20,000 different vineyards in the area.[20] A specific type of white wine, Albariño, originated in the Rías Baixas and now takes up 90% of the wine produced there. This wine is especially successful in the area because the grapes that are the main ingredient are able to withstand and even thrive in the moist, coastal, climate.[21]

Rodas beach in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park

The Rías Baixas are an important source of tourism within Galicia, even more so than the Rías Altas.[17] A large draw for tourists is the expansive coastline that results from the nature of the rias. This coastline also leads to many beaches. The most important historic city is Pontevedra. In the Ria de Pontevedra and the Ría Vigo there are a lot of different beaches.[22] Furthermore, the cliffs just off shore offer extensive views. Naturally, many water and boating activities are also a central attraction for tourists visiting the Rías Baixas. The many towns located near the rias also offer added interest. Each town is distinctive, but churches, lighthouses, and manor houses are a common and popular feature. The food in the Rías Baixas, taken locally from the ocean and rias, is claimed to be very high quality and also attracts tourists.[23]