Portugal

Where is Portugal?

Located in Southwestern Europe, Portugal has a 1,224.00 km border with Spain. It has a 1,793.00 km coastline. Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza.

The capital and most populous city in Portugal is Lisbon which has a long and rich cultural history. Located at the mouth of the Tagus River this western European capital boosts a population of over two and a half million residents with a population density of 16,730 residents. The city is home to an array of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Historical buildings in the area include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a 16th century monastery which has become a popular tourist attraction. Temperatures in Lisbon include dry summers averaging above 71.6F and wet winters with an average temperature of 52F.

Portugal is a European country covering 92,090.00 km² of which 0.67% is water and 91,470.00 km² is land. The area includes Azores and Madeira Islands. This makes it the 109th largest country in the world and slightly smaller than Virginia. Its geographic coordinates are 39 30 N, 8 00 W and Lisbon is the capital city.

The name Portugal derives from the Roman designation "Portus Cale"; Cale was an ancient Celtic town.

Its ISO code is PT.

Geography

Portugal has a mean elevation of 372 m above sea level.

It has a tropical marine climate with little temperature variation throughout the seasons. Its terrain is mountainous in the interior, with rolling plains in the south.

Population

Portugal has a population of 10,833,816 making it the 82nd largest in the world. The majority of the population is concentrated on the Atlantic coast.

Portuguese and Mirandese are both official languages. The ethnic group is described as homogenous Mediterranean stock. The majority of the country is Roman Catholic.

The official language of Portugal, Portuguese, is a Romance language which is derived from classical Latin. Portuguese shares a great deal of linguistic similarities with Spanish which is currently spoken by about 10% of the nation’s populace. Other minority languages in the country include English and French. The Mirandese language can be traced back to the north eastern regions of the country, particularly Galicia. Along with a variety of local dialects the Portuguese language consists of twenty four letters and includes six special characters and three types of accents. Among the most useful common Portuguese phrases include the day and night time greetings, “Bom dia” and “Bem-vindo”.

The dialing code for the country is 351.

Government

Portugal is an independent country. The Kingdom of Portugal was recognized in 1143. Its constitution was last ratified in 1976.

Portugal’s system of government is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic which was established in 1976 as set out by the national Constitution. Four separate and distinct factions make up this system of government, all which have their own political responsibilities. The people of Portugal elect the president, national parliament, as well as the Assembly of the Republic. Following every election the country’s president appoints a prime minister who is usually the leader of the political party which has garnered the most votes in the national election. The Portuguese House of Parliament, also known as Palácio de São Bento, is located in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.

Economy

Factoring in Purchasing Power Parity, Portugal's GDP is $297,000,000,000.00 (USD) with $28,500.00 (USD) per capita. This makes it the 55th largest economy and its citizens the 63rd richest in the world. The currency of Portugal is the Euro (EUR).

Its major export partners are Spain, France, and Germany. Its main exports are agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine, and oil products. Its major import partners are Spain, Germany, and France. Its major imports include agricultural products, chemical products, and vehicles.

Flag

After undergoing an extensive array of design changes the present day Portuguese official flag has evolved to reflect and symbolize the country’s rich and turbulent history. Known as the Bandeira das Quinas, the design of the current flag is the result of a commission comprised of a select group of members of the nation’s artistic and military communities. Today Portugal’s flag is internationally recognized as a symbol of the Portuguese people and serves to honor the country’s unique history and culture. The flag also reflects the accomplishments of explorer King Henry the Navigator as well as the sacrifices made by the people of Portugal during the bloody conflicts of the 1800s.