The district of Castelo Branco, belongs to the traditional province of Beira Baixa, half in the south of Beira Interior. It borders at north with the district of Guarda, at east with Spain, at south with Spain, with the district of Portalegre and with the district of Santarém and at west withthe district of Leiria and the district of Coimbra.
Its area is 6675 km ², with a resident population of 208,069 inhabitants in 2001. The inhabitants are called albicastrenses.
Castelo Branco is characterized by three geographical structures: The first is the Tejo Valley region, of moderate altitude and few orographic accidents. The second, at north, extends from northeast to southwest, a second region, much more rugged, which includes the mountains of Alvelos, Muradal and Gardunha, with 1227 meters and the Malcata.
The third, at northwest of this area, there is located the Cova da Beira, which corresponds to Zêzere River valley and some of its tributaries. The highest altitude of the district, are located in the Serra da Estrela, with its 1993 meters of altitude.
The biggest touristic attraction in Castelo Branco, is the area of the Serra da Estrela existing in the respective district, not only for being a kind of mini winter resort, but also because the beauty of its natural park, its historic villages and the Route of 20 castles and fortresses, that are located around the Serra da Estrela.
The district of Castelo Branco, has several castles and towns, between them, it stands out a twelfth century castle, the historic village of Monsanto, which includes the lusitanian povoation of Serra de Penha Garcia, splendid manor houses of the eighteenth century and the churches of the parish and Misericória, from the sixteenth century.
In Castelo Branco, is also located the granitic village of Sortelha, located 760 meters high, in the municipality of Sabugal, one of the oldest and the best preserved of Portugal, enclosed by walls, ant that presents a medieval architectural set.
There is also the village of Idanha-a-Velha, known for its natural beauty and its historical remains, being an open and alive museum, which highlights the heritage of the Roman and Visigoth time.
The capital of the district is the city of Castelo Branco, where it´s possible to find locals and monuments such as the Garden of the Paço Episcopal, the Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum, located in the former Paço Espiscopal, the park of the city, the Praça Luís de Camões, actually the Praça Velha.
One of the typical characteristics of the region, are the linen embroidered quilts with natural silk thread, known as Castelo Branco embroidery, of oriental inspiration, that became known since the mid-sixteenth century.
In what concerns the gastronomy, Castelo Branco has always a rich and varied table. Besides the mountain cheese, well known and appreciated, there are other typical dishes, such as the Castelo Branco pattys, the roasted lamb, the potatoes cob, the Laburdo, the filled meat, the bowl, the rice pudding, the Cavacas, the olive oil biscuits, the cavacões and the corn gruel, between many others.
