Shale Stone Village From Above

Lousã is a municipality in the district of Coimbra, in the central part of Portugal. Economically, the region's growth has been based on transformative industries in the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy. The decline in agricultural activities, which was always based on local consumption, is seen therefore as a realignment of activities toward forestry. Further, economic activities that have brought growth, have been associated with secondary activities such as the pulp and paper industry and electronics, as well as the manufacture/processing of olive oil, wine and liquers. Tertiary activities have maintained a supporting role, although tourism has developed into a strong growth industry, visiters attracted by the Serra da Lousã and the curious Aldeias de Xisto (villages of schist), along with other local patrimony and natural resources.