Cork forests, olive trees & vineyards - watching the hills roll by

Tuesday, October 28, 2019                                                                        Andalusia

Cork trees dominate the drive from Alentejo to Andalusia

We left after breakfast from Evora and traveled from the Alentejo region in Portugal into the Andalusia region of Spain.  A typical view of the countryside in this area includes cork trees, surrounded by cut wheat fields or grazing land.  Interspersed on the hillsides are olive trees and vineyards.  This area is responsible for more than 75% of the cork production in Portugal.

Cork trees take shape in the morning mist

Sheep feeding in the morning

The name "Andalusia" is derived from the Arabic  word Al-Andalus. The name al-Andalus has been found on inscriptions on coins minted in 716 by the new Muslim government of Iberia. Traditionally, the name "al-Andalus" is thought to have been derived from the name of the Vandals.  

According to Wiki, the region's history and culture have been influenced by the native Iberians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines, Jews, Romani, Arabs, and Muslim Moors. During the Islamic Golden Age, Cordoba surpassed Constantinople to become Europe's  biggest city.  It served as the capital of the Al Andalus and a prominent center of education and learning, producing numerous philosophers and scientists. 

The weather was very changeable - from foggy to cloudy to sunny and back to foggy.

The vineyards are turning golden as fall settles across the land

Andalusia has historically been an agricultural region, with olive trees, vine yards and cork treess predominant features on the landscape of rolling hills.  The region has a rich culture and a strong identity. Things that are typically thought of as Andalusian include the flamenco and bullfighting.  

And the fog returns....