The Compass: Portugal's monster waves and mega-fires

At mainland Europe's western edge lies one of its lesser-known gems—a land of wild coasts, terraced vineyards, and historic cities whose cobbled streets tell a multitude of stories.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS WHAT IT IS? VIEW ONLINE

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE ANIMAL?

THE COMPASS

This week's virtual field trip takes us to Portugal. At mainland Europe's western edge lies one of its lesser-known gems—a land of wild coasts, terraced vineyards, and historic cities. Find out why you see swallows everywhere in Portugal, go for a swim in natural pools formed by lava, and try the coveted wine that made this Portuguese island famous.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ZEBRA0209, SHUTTERSTOCK Here’s why you see swallows everywhere in Portugal Ceramic birds symbolizing home are the country’s sweetest souvenir. SUBTLY SYNONYMOUS SYMBOL

PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA, AFP / GETTY IMAGES How to live with mega-fires? Portugal’s feral forests may hold the secret The world's forests are getting drier and people are living closer to them, ushering in a dangerous new era—unless we can find a way to coexist with the flames. FIRESTORMS

FOOTAGE BY VITFEDOTOV AND JOHN WALKER These natural swimming pools were formed by lava The picturesque islands of the Madeira archipelago were formed by millennia of volcanic eruptions. LAVA POOLS

SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND IS HOME TO MINERAL-RICH HOT SPRINGS THAT TURN THIS PURPLE. WHAT IS IT? CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

PHOTOGRAPH BY VITOR ESTRELINHA What it’s like to surf the world’s largest waves Winter storms and a massive underwater canyon in Nazaré, Portugal, form some of the wildest waves on Earth. To ride them is to be awed by them. RIDING MONSTERS

GOOD READS

1. Surprising DNA found in ancient people from southern Europe 2. Discover Europe's far-flung island paradise 3. How this golden-eyed feline became the biggest comeback in cat conservation 4. Watch this dramatic rescue of a fallen big wave surfer

PHOTOGRAPH BY LUKAS BABALIS, 500PX / GETTY IMAGES Try the coveted wine that made this Portuguese island famous Madeira is renowned for its landscapes, lore—and its legendary wine, which graced the tables of America’s Founding Fathers. LANDSCAPES, LORE, AND WINE!

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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