The territory of the (aspiring) Algarvensis Geopark comprises the municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira, with a total area of 1,381 km2. This area represents around one third of the Algarve territory, and includes a large part of two of the three geomorphological units of the Algarve, the mountains and the “barrocal”, which enables the presence of a wide diversity of ecosystems, in particular habitats which are characteristic and identifying of a rural Algarve, allowing the presence of a considerable number of endemic species with a high value for conservation and scientific interest.                                                                                                         

This territory has around 57% of its surface area classified under the National System of Classified Areas (SNAC), including the Local Protected Landscapes of Rocha da Pena and Fonte Benémola, areas integrated in the National Network of Protected Areas (RNAP), six Sites of Community Importance (SCI) Monchique, Arade/Odelouca, the Quarteira Stream, Barrocal, Caldeirão and Guadiana and two Special Protection Areas (SPA) Caldeirão and Monchique, areas integrated in the Natura 2000 Network. 

It also has a Wetland of International Importance for waterfowl and fish under the RAMSAR Convention, the Vascão Stream and an important Bird Area (IBA) in the Caldeirão mountains.

These sites, together with a system of ecological corridors, are a large part of the Regional Structure for Environmental Protection and Enhancement presented in the Algarve Regional Land Management Plan (PROT), areas considered to be a priority in terms of nature and biodiversity conservation and representative of the ecological units characteristic of the Algarve region.