PORTUGAL

Portugal is a country on the Iberian Peninsula, located in south-western Europe. It is the western most country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.
The land within the borders of today's Portuguese Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times.

Some of the earliest civilizations include Lusitanians and Celtic societies. Incorporation into the Roman Republic dominions took place in the 2nd century BC. The region was ruled and colonized by Germanic peoples from the 5th to the 8th century. The Muslim Moors arrived in the early 8th century and conquered the Christian Germanic kingdoms, eventually occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula. In the early 1100s, during the Christian Reconquista, Portugal appeared as a kingdom independent of its neighbour, the Kingdom of León and Galicia. In a little over a century, in 1249, Portugal would establish almost its entire modern-day borders by conquering territory from the Moors.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, with a global empire that included possessions in Africa, Asia and South America, Portugal was one of the world's major economic, political, and cultural powers. After the Portuguese Colonial War and the Carnation Revolution coup d'état in 1974, the ruling regime was deposed in Lisbon and the country handed over its last overseas provinces in Africa.

Portugal is a developed country, has a high Human Development Index and is among the world's 20 highest rated countries in terms of quality of life, although having the lowest GDP per capita of Western European countries. It is a member of the European Union (since 1986) and the United Nations (since 1955); as well as a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and the European Union's Eurozone. Portugal is also a Schengen state.

 

According to the Global Peace Index, Portugal is among the top ten most peaceful countries in the world. 

Total area 92,212 km²
Population 10,352 million (2021 estimate)
Population Density 112,2/km²
GDP total $432.1 billion, per capita: $42,067 (2022 estimate)
Human Development Index (HDI) 0.866 (38nd)
Capital Lisbon
Currency Euro €
Time zone GMT
Portugal is among the top ten most peaceful countries in the world

 

                 

 

about lisbon

 Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal. With over 20 centuries of History, this city located on the 7 hills has more than 500,000 inhabitants. Lisbon shows multiple contrasts between the historical and modern, combining different cultures, trends and lifestyles. Situated near the Tagus river and sunny almost all the time, the Portuguese capital has a unique beauty and an internationally acclaimed architectural singularity. 

Rich in monuments, neighborhoods (Baixa Pombalina, Belém, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Bica, Alfama and Mouraria), riverside zone, Fado houses, parks, gardens and viewpoints, Lisbon offers various possibilities to discover, so visit and enjoy the vast natural, historic and cultural city heritage.


Landmarks such as the Medieval Castle of St. George, Medieval Cathedral, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, National Pantheon, Palace Square and the Downtown are some of the tourist attractions of Lisbon that fascinate thousands of visitors from around the world.

The gastronomy of Lisbon is very influenced by its proximity to the sea. So typical specialties in Lisbon are fried cod, fried green beans, and grilled sardines on bread (mainly in the feast of the popular saints that occurs during the month of June). The famous Bife à Café is also considered a capital's "ex-libris" food. The most famous dessert in Lisbon is the traditional Pastel de Nata (custard tart), made in a former factory in Belém, better known as Pastel de Belém.

Visiting Lisbon is living different experiences. Lisbon is a city that charms its visitors.