Portugal - Tourism and Travel

Portugal, officially known as the Portuguese Republic, is located in southwestern Europe, on the Atlantic Coast, in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain borders it in the north and to the east.

Portugal includes Madeira Island and the islands of the Azores.

The country has an area of 33,340 square miles (88,940 square kilometers).

In Portugal, there is mostly highland, with large pine and cork forest, north of the Tagus River, which runs through Spain and Portugal.

Undulating lowland characterizes Portugal south of the river.

There is a moist, cool climate in the north of Portugal, and a warmer climate in the south. Winters in the south are mild and dry.

The Douro River also runs through Spain and Portugal.

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.

10,707,000 people live in Portugal.

98% are Portuguese.

97% of the people are Roman Catholic and 1% are Protestant.

Portuguese is the official language.

Most of the people in Portugal live near the coast.

More than one third of the people live in and around Lisbon.

The most important economic sectors are manufacturing and mining.

For most of the twentieth century, Portugal was controlled by a right-wing dictatorship. Modernization has progressed rapidly since a democracy was established in the 1970s.

Portugal exports textiles, clothing and footwear, chemicals, wood and cork products, transport equipment and electrical machinery.

Salt, copper, tungsten, tin, zinc and kaolin are mined.

Tourism and banking are important industries.

About one tenth of the workforce is involved in agriculture.

Remittances from people working abroad are important to the economy.

Portugal has a parliamentary system of government.

The euro is the official currency.