With its rich seafaring past Portugal is a magical country to explore. Portugal lies immediately west of Spain, and is buffeted along its southern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. To its west and southwest lie the islands of the Azores and Madeira, far out in the Atlantic. It measures just 350 miles (560km) north to south and a paltry 135 miles (220km) from east to west. The northern and central regions are heavily populated and characterized by rivers, valleys, forests and mountains – the highest range on the mainland is the Serra da Estrela, peaking at the Torre (6540ft/1993m), while the Azores is dominated by the Pico (7713ft/2351m). The south is less populated and, apart from the rocky backdrop of the Algarve, much flatter and drier.
Endless sunny beaches stretch along the southern coast of Portugal, where the sun shines 3,000 hours each year. From this well known sunny region known as the Algarve up through the charming Alentejo region, in to the capital Lisbon and up to the remote mountain region of the Beira Alta, Portugal is as diverse a country as to be found anywhere in Europe. In addition to mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores provide natural breathtaking attractions that are hard to beat. You may require a bit of work with the Portuguese language, but the rewards are many and the Portuguese people may prove the most interesting part of your visit.
Some of the finest golf courses in Europe are found in Portugal, and they attract many golfers each year from all over the world. Deep sea fishing, tennis and horse riding are some of the exciting activities to be found throughout Portugal. Portugal, a country with so many fascinating aspects offers something for everyone, but however tempting the attractions might be, you should take advantage of a great opportunity to recharge your energy resources and restore your body, soul and spirit.
Climate:
Moderate climate, maritime temperate: cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south. The maritime winds certainly influence Portugal, especially through its long 700 km coastline. As long as we move away from the coast, the humidity diminishes, the interior areas being quite 'fair', with the exception of the Tagus North valley, where the climate is wet and soft.
Portugal occupies the most westerly position in Europe and its weather and climate are much influenced by the Atlantic. Its southerly latitude gives it a Mediterranean type of climate. Summer sunshine and temperature and winter mildness also increase southwards. The south-facing coast of the Algarve region is the sunniest, driest, and warmest part of the country, but the summer heat rarely reaches unpleasant levels. Most parts of Portugal are sunny. Daily hours of sunshine average from four to five in winter and ten to eleven in summer in the north.
The climate in Portugal is neither too hot nor too cold; it all depends on the area and the time of the year that you choose to visit Portugal.
Population: 10,536,000
The population density is at its greatest in Lisbon, the capital and its suburbs, where about 1.9 million people live. The second largest city in Portugal is Oporto in the north. Generally speaking, there are more people living in the country’s coastal regions than in the inland areas.
Capital: Lisbon (pop 720,000)
Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical. At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city's many great viewpoints - Lisbon is an impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes. Lisbon is the city for fado, funiculars, feasting and frolicking.
Language: Portuguese
Portuguese is the official language of other 7 countries and is spoken by more than 200 millions people. Of Latin origin, Portuguese is the third most widely spoken European language in the world and is the mother tongue to about 200 million people. Countries in which Portuguese is the official language: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa, Brazil in South America and East Timor in Asia. There are also Portuguese-speaking communities in other countries: large communities of recent immigrants exist in Europe (France, Luxembourg and Germany), in the Americas (United States, Canada and Venezuela), in Africa (South Africa) and Australia; there are also small groups of people in the erstwhile Asian colonies. In Portugal a considerable number of citizens can communicate easily in English, French and Spanish.
Religion: 97% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% other
The Portuguese people are mainly Roman Catholic but the Portuguese Constitution guarantees religious freedom, resulting in the presence of various different religions in Portugal: Christians (Protestants of various denominations and Orthodox), Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, etc. The mainland is home to Fátima, one of the greatest Roman Catholic sanctuaries of the world.
Currency: Euro (€) – divided into 100 centimes
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220V; 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use.
Food:
Portuguese food is cheap, delicious and generous. Classic Portuguese meals include sardinhas assadas (charcoal-grilled sardines) and pastéis de bacalhau (cod fishcakes). Meals can be washed down with Portugal's good-quality vinhos (wines) or port - the drink synonymous with Portugal.
Endless sunny beaches stretch along the southern coast of Portugal, where the sun shines 3,000 hours each year. From this well known sunny region known as the Algarve up through the charming Alentejo region, in to the capital Lisbon and up to the remote mountain region of the Beira Alta, Portugal is as diverse a country as to be found anywhere in Europe. In addition to mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores provide natural breathtaking attractions that are hard to beat. You may require a bit of work with the Portuguese language, but the rewards are many and the Portuguese people may prove the most interesting part of your visit.
Some of the finest golf courses in Europe are found in Portugal, and they attract many golfers each year from all over the world. Deep sea fishing, tennis and horse riding are some of the exciting activities to be found throughout Portugal. Portugal, a country with so many fascinating aspects offers something for everyone, but however tempting the attractions might be, you should take advantage of a great opportunity to recharge your energy resources and restore your body, soul and spirit.
Climate:
Moderate climate, maritime temperate: cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south. The maritime winds certainly influence Portugal, especially through its long 700 km coastline. As long as we move away from the coast, the humidity diminishes, the interior areas being quite 'fair', with the exception of the Tagus North valley, where the climate is wet and soft.
Portugal occupies the most westerly position in Europe and its weather and climate are much influenced by the Atlantic. Its southerly latitude gives it a Mediterranean type of climate. Summer sunshine and temperature and winter mildness also increase southwards. The south-facing coast of the Algarve region is the sunniest, driest, and warmest part of the country, but the summer heat rarely reaches unpleasant levels. Most parts of Portugal are sunny. Daily hours of sunshine average from four to five in winter and ten to eleven in summer in the north.
The climate in Portugal is neither too hot nor too cold; it all depends on the area and the time of the year that you choose to visit Portugal.
Population: 10,536,000
The population density is at its greatest in Lisbon, the capital and its suburbs, where about 1.9 million people live. The second largest city in Portugal is Oporto in the north. Generally speaking, there are more people living in the country’s coastal regions than in the inland areas.
Capital: Lisbon (pop 720,000)
Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical. At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city's many great viewpoints - Lisbon is an impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes. Lisbon is the city for fado, funiculars, feasting and frolicking.
Language: Portuguese
Portuguese is the official language of other 7 countries and is spoken by more than 200 millions people. Of Latin origin, Portuguese is the third most widely spoken European language in the world and is the mother tongue to about 200 million people. Countries in which Portuguese is the official language: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa, Brazil in South America and East Timor in Asia. There are also Portuguese-speaking communities in other countries: large communities of recent immigrants exist in Europe (France, Luxembourg and Germany), in the Americas (United States, Canada and Venezuela), in Africa (South Africa) and Australia; there are also small groups of people in the erstwhile Asian colonies. In Portugal a considerable number of citizens can communicate easily in English, French and Spanish.
Religion: 97% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% other
The Portuguese people are mainly Roman Catholic but the Portuguese Constitution guarantees religious freedom, resulting in the presence of various different religions in Portugal: Christians (Protestants of various denominations and Orthodox), Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, etc. The mainland is home to Fátima, one of the greatest Roman Catholic sanctuaries of the world.
Currency: Euro (€) – divided into 100 centimes
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220V; 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use.
Food:
Portuguese food is cheap, delicious and generous. Classic Portuguese meals include sardinhas assadas (charcoal-grilled sardines) and pastéis de bacalhau (cod fishcakes). Meals can be washed down with Portugal's good-quality vinhos (wines) or port - the drink synonymous with Portugal.