Marble in Estremoz

Estremoz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Portugal is the second largest exporter of marble in the world, with Italy being the first.  Eighty-five percent of the marble of Portugal is produced in and around Estremoz.  In fact, there is so much marble around this town that it is used everywhere, even as the cobble stones covering the street in this picture!  Marble is also used to make whitewash, an inexpensive way to paint buildings.  Houses in the Alentejo region are typically white and it is common to see ochre or blue painted around the windows and doors.