Coruche is located in a territory that offers excellent conditions for the practice of ballooning, having a diverse landscape characterized by the presence of imposing areas of "Montado", the Sorraia River – a tributary of the Tagus River, the largest river that, coming from Spain, divides Portugal – and the Sorraia Agricultural Valley – locally called "Lezíria Ribatejana” –, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in Portugal where tons of high quality corn and rice are produced annually.

In the territory designated for hot air balloon flights during the Festival, the Montado stands out. This type of forest, which can only be found in the territories of the Mediterranean basin, is a habitat of enormous importance in the preservation of hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

It is from these forests, precisely from the "Corkwood" tree, that cork is extracted, an incredible natural product, commonly found as a wine closure through the cork. World cork production is 340 thousand tons per year, of which 55% is originating from Portugal.

Cork extraction is a controlled process that does not require the felling of cork oaks, on the contrary, it contributes to their regeneration. It is the cork industry that enables the continuity of the Montado Forest, by contributing to the maintenance of the forests and the populations that depend on them.

A recent estimate predicts that only in Portugal, where there is the largest area of cork oak forests in the world, harvestable cork will be sufficient to satisfy market demand over the next 100 years. On average, in Coruche, where there are several industrial cork processing units, almost 7 million corks are produced per day, which are then exported daily around the world.

Coruche is also a territory with a past and history. It is not known exactly when the population of Coruche settled, but there are several archaeological finds that prove human presence since the Paleolithic. Coruche receives its first charter as "Vila de Coruche” by D. Afonso Henriques on May 26, 1182, according to the model of the Évora charter, confirmed by D. Sancho I, in 1189, and by D. Afonso II, in 1218, remaining until D. Manuel, when he, in the 16th century, reformed the charters. This important document established a council and regulated its administration, borders and privileges.

For everything it represents, Coruche is a territory that inspires confidence, culture, innovation and development, preserving rural characteristics and the enormous passion for nature.

We are therefore certain that our invitation for you to visit the VII Coruche International Ballooning Festival is undeniable.

We are waiting for you!