Coruche

Coruche is a municipality settled in the heart of the Ribatejo region of Portugal, positioned on the left bank of the Sorraia River. Its identity is deeply rooted in the land, defined by its specialization in agriculture, especially the harvesting of two unique products: rice and cork.

The town sits within the extensive floodplains of the river, which makes the surrounding fields perfect for the cultivation of rice, establishing Coruche as a key regional producer. The landscape is characterized by these open, water-fed paddies, a clear contrast to the dry hills found elsewhere in Portugal.

Equally important to the local economy and culture is cork (cortiça). Coruche is surrounded by vast forests of cork oak (sobreiro), and the municipality is one of the nation's foremost centers for cork production and processing. This connection is formalized by its status as a significant hub for this globally important industry.

The town center is quiet and grounded, featuring the traditional architecture of the Ribatejo. The overall feeling is one of deliberate rural purpose, where local life follows the natural rhythm of the harvest and the cork extraction cycle.