What is so special about the Algarves?

[Stuyvesant]

What was so special about the Algarves to warrant them to be a separate state in the United Kingdom of Portugal?

 

[Zuvarq]

What was so special about the Algarves to warrant them to be a separate state in the United Kingdom of Portugal?

It had already de jure been a separate kingdom.

Plus it was the last area in Iberia that Portugal conquered from the Moors.

 

[Socrates]

What was so special about the Algarves to warrant them to be a separate state in the United Kingdom of Portugal?

It wasn't. The King of Portugal held a separate title, but the place was administered exactly like the rest of Portugal. I believe the reason for the additional title was because the area was also claimed by the King of Castile, so the Portuguse Kings wanted to make a point that it was theirs.

 

[Janprimus]

It wasn't. The King of Portugal held a separate title, but the place was administered exactly like the rest of Portugal. I believe the reason for the additional title was because the area was also claimed by the King of Castile, so the Portuguse Kings wanted to make a point that it was theirs.

Only one extra royal title is quite modest by Iberian standards.
From the total of 27 royal titles held by Charles V 20 were from 'Spain' (Crown of Castille & Crown of Aragon) and indeed one of these was also king of the Algarves.