About Arouca

Arouca is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Aveiro. The population in 2011 was 24,030, in an area of 230.58 km². It had a population density of 104 inhabitants per km². The municipality is composed of 12 civil parishes. It is located in the Centro Region of Portugal, approximately 50 km northeast of the city of Porto and 15 km southwest of Aveiro. The municipality is known for its scenery, including rivers, mountains and forests. The municipality is intersected by several rivers, including the Paiva, Tâmega, Arouca and Caima. ThePaiva River is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the municipality, with its clear waters and natural pools. The Arouca Geopark, is also a major tourist attraction, as it is one of the largest geological parks in Europe. The economy of the municipality is based on agriculture, forestry and tourism. The parish of Alvarenga is particularly known for its slate quarries. The municipality is home to the Seminário de Arouca, a seminary of the Catholic Church, as well as the Universidade de Aveiro and the Escola Superior de Educação de Arouca. The municipality is served by several highways, including the A1, A29 and A31.