Portuguese euro coins
Portugal(port. Portugal, , Miranda. Pertual), officially Portuguese Republic(port. República Portuguesa, Miranda. República Pertuesa listen)) is the westernmost state in the continental region, located in the southwestern part. In the north and east it borders, in the south and west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean; thus the state as a whole is a semi-enclave or coastal enclave. The name of the country comes from the city (Latin: Portus Cale).
On April 25, 1974, rebel troops under the leadership of the Armed Forces Movement overthrew the fascist government (“carnation revolution”), and the activities of political parties were allowed. The decolonization of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa has been completed. The situation has stabilized after a period of tough political struggle and several violent clashes. In April 1976, a new constitution was adopted. From July 1976 to August 1978, the government formed by the Portuguese Socialist Party (PSP, founded in 1973) was in power; from January 1980, a coalition government of the center-right Democratic Alliance was in power; in 1983-1985, a coalition of the Socialist and Social Democratic parties was in power; from 1987 - the government of the Social Democratic Party, which for the first time received an absolute majority in parliamentary elections.
- List of rulers of Portugal
- Dates in the History of Portugal
State structure
Portugal is a parliamentary-presidential republic. Legislative body - Assembly ( Assembleia da República), consists of 230 deputies ( deputados) and is elected according to party lists for 4 years. Head of state - president ( Presidente da República Portuguesa), elected by universal suffrage for a 5-year term; advisory body to the President - the State Council ( Conselho de Estado), the executive body is the Council of Ministers, consisting of the Prime Minister ( Primeiro-ministro) and ministers, appointed by the President and responsible to the Assembly, the representative bodies of the autonomous regions - legislative assemblies ( Assembly Legislativa), executive - regional governments ( governo regional), consisting of chairmen of regional governments ( presidente) and regional secretaries ( Secretario Regional), representative bodies of parishes - parish assemblies ( Assembleia de freguesia), executive bodies of parishes - parish councils ( Junta de freguesia), consisting of chairmen of parish councils ( presidente) and vowels (vogais), the body of constitutional supervision is the Constitutional Court ( Tribunal Constitutional), appointed by the Assembly, the highest court is the Supreme Court of Justice ( Supremo Tribunal de Justiça), appellate courts - judicial tribunals of second instance ( Tribunal judicial de Segunda Instância), courts of first instance - judicial tribunals of first instance ( Tribunal judicial de Primeira Instância), the highest court of administrative justice ( Supremo Tribunal Administrativo), courts of first instance of administrative justice - administrative courts ( Tribunal administration), the highest control body is the Court of Accounts ( Tribunal de Contas), prosecutorial supervision body - the Prosecutor General's Office ( Procuradoria-Geral da República Portuguesa), financial justice courts - fiscal courts ( Tribunal fiscal), courts of military justice - military courts ( tribunais militares), an official authorized to monitor the activities of government agencies - the General Ombudsman ( Provedor de Justiça).
Ministries of Portugal:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries
- Ministry of Public Institutions, Transport and Communications
- Ministry of Finance and Public Administration
- Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity
- Ministry of Health
- Department of Homeland Security
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Internal Administration
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education
- Ministry of Culture
- Ministry of Environment, Territorial Order and Regional Development
- Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Development.
Political parties
Rights
- National Renewal Party (Portugal) - far-right nationalist
- People's Monarchist Party (Portugal) - royalist
Center-right
- Social Democratic Party of Portugal - liberal-conservative
- People's Party (Portugal) - conservative
- New Democracy (Portugal) - conservative
- Earth Party (Portugal) - conservative environmentalist
Center-left
- Socialist Party - socialist
- Portuguese Workers' Party - Social Democratic
- Humanist Party (Portugal)
- Democratic Party of the Atlantic - an Azorean former right-wing party that has shifted to the left
Left
- Coalition of Democratic Unity:
- Portuguese Communist Party
- Green Party (port. Os Verdes) - environmentalist
- Left Bloc (port. Bloco de Esquerda) - an association of communist parties, including the Trotskyist Revolutionary Socialist Party and the ex-Maoist People's Democratic Union
- Communist Party of Portuguese Workers - Maoist
- Workers Party of Socialist Unity - Trotskyist
- LIVRE - ecosocialist
- Party for animals and nature - animal protection
Unions
- General Workers' Union ( União Geral de Trabalhadores) - the main trade union center, traditionally associated with the Socialist Party, has 400 thousand members.
- General Confederation of Portuguese Workers ( Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses), traditionally associated with the Communist Party, has 800 thousand members.
Administrative division
Map of continental Portugal with district boundaries.
Capital
Located on the coast of the Tagus River. The area of the capital is 84 km². Population - 556,797 people. Greater Lisbon (metropolitan area) - 2750 km² and population of 2.1 million people.
The mayor of the city is António Luis Santos da Costa.
Other cities
Lisbon
Climate
The climate is subtropical, Mediterranean. Average temperatures in January are 5-10 °C, in July 20-27 °C. Precipitation on the plains is from 400 to 800 mm, in the mountains from 1000 to 2500 mm per year.
Relief
Coast of Praia da Marina in the Algarve region of southern Portugal
The relief of the provinces of Minho in the west and Alto Traz-o-Montes and Alto Douro in the east, located north of the river. Douro, rugged, mountainous. The province of Beira, extending from the river. Douro to the upper section of the river. The Tagus, with the exception of the coastal plain, is also occupied by mountains. In its central part is the highest point in Portugal - Mount Estrela (1993 m). Fertile plains in the lower reaches of the river. The Tagus (province of Ribatejo) and the coastal area north and south of the capital belong to the province of Estremadura. To the east and south of it lies the province of Alentejo, with a soft hilly topography, and the entire southern part of Portugal is occupied by the plains of the Algarve province, whose natural conditions are similar to the Mediterranean zone.
Rivers and lakes
On the territory of Portugal, the valleys of the Douro (Duero) and Tagus (Tajo) rivers are clearly distinguished. In the upper reaches they are narrow and deeply incised, downstream they widen and near the shore of the Atlantic Ocean they turn into flat lowlands. These rivers are the natural boundaries of five of the six geographical regions of the country.
Flora and fauna
Laboreiro waterfall in the district of Viana do Castelo in the north of the country
Despite the human factor, the climatic features of the region are reflected by the natural environment: flora and fauna. Near the coast the vegetation is dominated by pine. The coastal strip of the central and northern parts of the country is occupied by forests (mainly Portuguese oak, among shrubs - broom). In arid areas, climatic conditions favor the growth of cork and holm oaks.
Overall, approximately a fifth of Portuguese territory is covered by forest. Approximately 50% of the forest is coniferous trees (mostly pine). Cork oak is planted on an area of 607 thousand hectares. Thanks to this, Portugal supplies about 50% of the world's cork. The area of eucalyptus plantations is growing, which are characterized by rapid growth and this is the most important source of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. It can be said that Portugal's economy largely depends on forests.
The fauna of Portugal is generally consistent with other countries. On its territory you can find lynxes, wild forest cats, wolves, foxes, wild boars, bears and many species of rodents. Among the representatives of the North African fauna - genet, chameleon, etc. Due to the fact that Portugal is located on one of the main migration routes of migratory birds, you can find a huge variety of birds. The proximity of the ocean promotes fishing (about 200 species of fish live in the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean): sardines, anchovies, tuna.
Soil cover
The soils of Portugal are mainly sandy, acidic, formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The exception is the fertile loamy soils of the alluvial plain in the lower reaches of the river. Tagus. There are several seismically active zones in Portugal, the largest of which are located in the Algarve, Minho and near Lisbon.
Economy
Grape plantations
Portugal is an industrial-agrarian country. The most important traditional industries are (cotton and wool), clothing, winemaking (the production of port wine is especially famous), production of olive oil, canned fish, processing of cork bark (leading place in the world), ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering (shipbuilding and ship repair, auto assembly, electrical); The chemical, oil refining, petrochemical, and cement industries are developing. Agriculture is dominated by farming. About half of the cultivated land is occupied by arable land; viticulture, fruit growing, olive plantings. In livestock farming, cattle breeding, sheep breeding, pig breeding, fishing.
The main foreign trade partners are the countries of the European Community.
Foreign tourism - approx. 10 million people per year.
In connection with a change in the text of the constitution (1990), a privatization law was passed (enterprises nationalized after 1974 were privatized; the role of government regulation in the economy decreased; private investment by Portuguese citizens in domestic enterprises was allowed). The state pledged to promote the restructuring of unprofitable enterprises and the development of the Portuguese capital market. Huge amounts of money were allocated for improvement: in 1993-2000, the share of the population using the drinking water supply system increased from 61 to 95%, and the sewerage network from 55 to 90%.
Economic policy is aimed at liberalizing and modernizing the economy, further privatization of state-owned companies, and structural restructuring of the banking and telecommunications sectors. The fiscal sphere after the tax reform ensured an influx of government revenue and a reduction in the budget deficit for 1996-2003. from 5 to 2.4% of GDP. In the monetary sphere, measures were taken to promote fiscal stability. Budget revenues amounted to $45 billion, expenses - $48 billion. In 1996-2003. annual inflation rates decreased from 7.8 to 3.1%. Social policy is aimed at reforming the system of social and labor relations and ensuring employment. In 2002, the unemployment rate was 4.7%, the human development index was 0.925.
Thanks to export growth in the second quarter. In 2013, Portugal's economic growth was the strongest among EU countries: GDP increased by 1.1% compared to the first quarter; before that, the economy was in recession for 10 consecutive quarters.
The minimum wage in Portugal in 2018 is 676.67 euros. The average salary in Portugal for 2018 is 1144.61 euros.
Population
Population density of Portugal by districts and autonomous regions
Number
- 1911 - 5.97 million people.
- 1920 - 6.03 million people.
- 1930 - 6.82 million people.
- 1940 - 7.72 million people.
- 1950 - 8.51 million people.
- 1960 - 8.85 million people.
- 1970 - 8.65 million people.
- 1981 - 9.83 million people.
- 1991 - 9.86 million people.
- 2001 - 10.35 million people.
- 2011 - 10.56 million people.
Age structure: from 0-14 years: 16.4% (m.r. - 912,995 / w.b. - 835.715) from 15-64 years: 66.2% (m.r. - 3,514,905 / f.b. - 3,555,097) from 65 years old: 17.4% (m.r. - 764.443 / w.r. - 1,093,755).
The average age is 39.1 years (for men - 37 years; for women - 41.3 years). The annual increase is 0.305%. Birth rate - 10.45 (per thousand people). The fertility rate is 1.49. Mortality - 10.62 (per thousand people).
Culture
Holidays and weekends
- New Year- 1st of January;
- Carnival Tuesday- February/March, the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent;
- Good Friday- March/April, Friday during Holy Week;
- Freedom Day- April 25, anniversary of the 1974 revolution;
- Labor Day- 1st of May;
- Corpus Christi- May/June, ninth Thursday after Easter;
- Portugal Day- June 10th;
- Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary- August 15;
- Republic Day- October 5, anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Portugal in 1910;
- All Saints' Day- Nov. 1;
- Independence Day- December 1, anniversary of the declaration of independence from Spain in 1640;
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception- December 8;
- Christmas- December 25.
mass media
Seal
- Jornal de Notícias - Journal de Notícias
- Correio da Manhã - Curreio da Manha
- Diario de Noticias - Diario de Noticias
- Expresso - Espresso
- Publico - Publico
- Jornal de Coimbra - Journal de Coimbra
Broadcasting
Television and radio broadcasting in Portugal is divided into public and commercial; in addition, in Portugal there is an element of state television and radio broadcasting in the form of the parliamentary television channel ARtv. Public Broadcaster - RTP ( Radio e Televisão de Portugal- Radio and Television of Portugal), broadcasts on TV channel 1 (RTP1) and TV channel 2 (RTP2) and through 3 radio stations (Antena 1, Antena 2 and Antena 3). Commercial broadcasters are SIC and TVI. The public broadcaster's compliance with media laws is monitored by the Independent General Council ( Conselho Geral Independente), for commercial broadcasters - the Social Communications Regulatory Authority ( Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social) (formerly the Higher Directorate of Social Communications ( Alta Autoridade para a Comunicação Socia)).
Depending on the method of signal distribution, television in Portugal is divided into terrestrial, cable, satellite and IPTV, radio broadcasting is represented only by terrestrial, public radio stations can broadcast through terrestrial, cable, satellite television and IPTV, in common multiplexes with public TV channels, in addition there are several Internet - radio stations, broadcasting is carried out in the analogue standard on VHF, in the VHF version OIRT, Antena 1 also on CB and the digital standard DAB on HF.
Russian-language media
- Newspaper "Slovo" - "Slovo" is a Russian-language newspaper for tourists and Russian-speaking people living in Europe
- Lighthouse of Portugal - "Lighthouse of Portugal" - Russian-language newspaper for immigrants from Eastern Europe
Literature
"Amadis of Gaul" is of Portuguese origin - one of the most famous chivalric romances of the late Middle Ages, which came down to us in later Spanish adaptations of the 16th century.
Among the most famous and significant works of the Renaissance in Portuguese literature is the epic poem "The Lusiads" (1572) by Luis de Camões. This is the first work describing geographical discoveries. Other prominent Portuguese poets of the time include Sa de Miranda. Playwright Gil Vicente made a great contribution to the development of Portuguese theater in the 16th century.
The largest representative of Portuguese literature of the 19th century was the realist writer José Maria Esa de Queiroz. Among the Portuguese authors of the 20th century are the symbolist Eugenio de Castro, the mystic and impressionist Raul Brandan, Wenceslau de Morais, and the religious symbolists António Correia d'Oliveira and Afonso Lopes Vieira.
After the fall of the monarchy in 1910, the bourgeois intelligentsia became differentiated. The extreme right flank is occupied by Antonio Sardinha, Manuel Ribeiro, Teixeira de Pascuais, Jaime Cortezan, Alberto Monsaraz. In opposition is the literary direction of the ultra-left and pacifist spirit. Its representatives are Aquilina Ribeiro, Pinu de Morais, Ezequiel de Campos. Peasant ideology is represented by Raul Brandão, Samuel Mapa, Ippolito Reposu, Antonio Ferro.
The most striking phenomenon in Portuguese literature of the 20th century was the work of José Saramago. A member of the once-banned Portuguese Communist Party, Saramago has consistently gravitated to the left. His phantasmagoric prose is filled with the idea of universal equality and deep humanism. The author's anti-clerical views have repeatedly provoked fierce accusations from the Catholic Church, which did not prevent him from becoming a Nobel Prize laureate in literature in 1998 after the publication of the novel “The Gospel According to Jesus.”
Music
The basis of the culture, including music, of the Portuguese is the Romanesque culture, which during the formation and development of the Portuguese state was influenced by many cultural components introduced by both the conquerors of the Portuguese lands and the peoples of the vast possessions captured by the Portuguese. The music of Portugal has common origins with the music of Spain and has developed over the centuries in interaction with it, while being distinguished by its strong originality.
The most common song genre is fado (solo lyrical song), which plays an important role in the national identity of the Portuguese, as it draws a clear line between the bright and lively Spanish rhythms, representing the exuberant and harsh Spanish character, and the soft and melancholic soul of the Portuguese people.
art
Amadeu di Sousa-Cardoso, The Hounds
Portugal has never been the leading European power in the field of fine arts. Even during the Renaissance, the country's greatest prosperity, Portuguese artists, the greatest of whom was Nuno Gonçalves, remained on the periphery of European development. In the 19th century, the most notable representatives of Portuguese painting and, in fact, the founders of the modern national artistic tradition were José Malhoa, José Julio de Sousa Pinto and Columban Bordalo Pinheiro. The most famous Portuguese artist is considered to be Amadeu de Sousa-Cardoso, who died at the age of 30, who received his art education in France and worked in avant-garde painting styles.
Language
Portugal is a country with a single state official language - Portuguese. It is spoken by more than 200 million people around the world on three continents: Eurasia, Africa and South America. Portuguese is similar to Spanish, since both belong to the Ibero-Romance subgroup of the Romance group of languages, however, despite the similar grammatical structure, there are significant differences in pronunciation between them. The formation of the language was greatly influenced by the Germanic tribes and Arabs (), from whom the Portuguese language borrowed many words, as well as contacts of travelers, discoverers and merchants with Asian peoples.
In addition, the status of the official language of Portugal since 1999 has been the Miranda language, which is spoken by the population of a small area in northeastern Portugal (the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Vimioso, Mogadouro).
The Galician language, which does not have official status, is quite widespread throughout Portugal and especially its northern part.
Religion
View of the Monastery of San Vicente de Fora from the Castle of St. George.
About 90% of the country's population professes Catholicism. Catholicism in Portugal has always been associated with local traditions; the population honored the memory of many popular local saints, whose memorial days are celebrated solemnly as church holidays. The village, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to three children in 1917, has become a popular place of pilgrimage.
The first Protestant community in Portugal arose in the 17th century among British subjects. The preaching of Protestantism among the Portuguese began only in the 19th century. As of 2010, 373 thousand Protestants lived in Portugal. The largest Protestant denomination in the country consists of Pentecostals and charismatics (neo-Pentecostals) (289 thousand).
Over the past 25 years, due to mass labor migration from Eastern European countries, the number of Orthodox Christians in Portugal has increased significantly (60-80 thousand). Another 135 thousand Portuguese are followers of various pseudo-Christian religious organizations; primarily these are Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.
Among the foreigners and migrant workers living in the country there are Buddhists (60 thousand), Muslims (26-65 thousand), Hindus (6.5 thousand), and supporters of Chinese folk religion (22 thousand). During the general census in 2011, 615 thousand inhabitants of Portugal (6.8% of the population) described themselves as non-religious).
Armed forces
Army, Navigation (Portuguese Navy, including the Maritime Command), Air Force (Portuguese Air Force - FAP), National Republican Guard (GNR). Volunteers can enlist from the age of 18, since compulsory military service was abolished in 2004. Women have been allowed to serve in the Portuguese military and navy since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in any combat occupation (2005 order).
- Citizens for the armed forces: men (16-49 years old) - 2,573,913; women (16-49) - 2,498,262.
- Citizens eligible for service in the Portuguese armed forces: men (16-49) - 2,099,647; women (16-49) - 2,060,559.
Every year, the number of citizens of the Portuguese Armed Forces increases by 64,910 men (aged 16 to 49 years) and 58,599 women (aged 16 to 49 years).
Military spending accounts for 2.3% of annual GDP.
see also
- Transport in Portugal
- Foreign relations of Portugal
- PSI-20 (stock index with Portuguese companies)
- Colonies of Portugal
Notes
- World Atlas: Maximum detailed information / Project leaders: A. N. Bushnev, A. P. Pritvorov. - Moscow: AST, 2017. - P. 14. - 96 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-10261-4.
- Census.gov. Country Rank. Countries and Areas Ranked by Population: 2013. U.S. Department of Commerce (2013). Retrieved May 9, 2013. Archived May 9, 2013.
- Portugal. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved October 1, 2009. Archived August 21, 2011.
- Until 2002 - Portuguese escudo.
- Also.eu, as a member of the EU.
- Cupulas Ibero-Americanos: http://www.cumbresiberoamericanas.com/
- Portal do Governo: http://www.portugal.gov.pt/Portal/PT/Governos/Governos_Constitucionais/GC17/Ministerios/
- - Camara Municipal da Lisboa - Lisbon City Hall website
- Ministério do Ambiente, do Ordenamento do Território e do Desenvolvimento Regional
- Portugal and integration processes in the modern world: political aspects. E. B. Pavlova, St. Petersburg: 2001
- http://www.ieras.ru/pub/monografii/coseuropa.pdf
- Countries and regions of the world: economic and political reference book. A. S. Bulatova. - M.: 2006
- The war in Syria is crashing Asian markets - Main news - Finmarket
- - The World Fact Book - CIA website data by region and country of the world
- Feriados da Alemanha 2010 - Calendario de feriados 2010
- Periodicos de Portugal: http://www.mediatico.com/es/periodicos/europa/portugal/
- Lusiads. World Digital Library(1800-1882). Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- Portuguese literature
- Jason Mandryk. Portugal // Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. - InterVarsity Press, 2010. - P. 692-694. - 978 p. - (Operation World Set). - ISBN 0-8308-5724-9.
- Global Christianity. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (December 19, 2011). Retrieved May 13, 2013. Archived May 23, 2013.
- Tiago Santos, Pedro Soares, and Miguel Farias. Portugal // Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices / J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann. - Oxford, England: ABC CLIO, 2010. - P. 2278. - 3200 p. - ISBN 1-57607-223-1.
- The Future of the Global Muslim Population. Pew Research Center (January 2011). Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- Instituto Nacional de Estatistica Statistics Portugal. POPULACAO RESIDENTE COM 15 OU MAIS ANOS, SEGUNDO A RESPOSTA A PERGUNTA SOBRE RELIGIAO// Censos 2011 Resultados Definitivos - Portugal / Alda de Caetano Carvalho. - Lisbon: Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, I.P., 2013. - P. 530. - 560 p. - ISBN 978-989-25-0181-9.
- Exercito POrtugues - Website of the Portuguese Armed Forces
Literature
- Kaplanov Rashid M. Portugal after the Second World War (1945-1974). M.: Nauka, 1992.
Links
- Presidência da República Portuguesa - Official website of the President of Portugal
- Camara Municipal da Lisboa - Lisbon City Hall website
- FM radio from Portugal - Radio stations broadcasting from Portugal
- Tourism in Portugal - Country Guide
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The Republic of Portugal is a small state with a warm climate, picturesque nature and rich history. This is the westernmost country in Europe, on whose territory one of the extreme points of the Eurasian continent is located. What characterizes the geographical location of Portugal? You will find photos and descriptions of the main features of the country in our article.
"Warm Port"
Portugal covers an area of just 92,151 km2 and is the 109th largest country in the world. It appeared on the world stage as an integral and independent country in 1143, turning from a county into a kingdom.
Due to the peculiarities of the geographical location of Portugal, its territory was never empty and was inhabited even before our era. At various times, Lusitanians, Romans, Visigoths and even Arabs lived within its borders. Its location on the coast contributed to the development of the state as an important seaport at the intersection of trade routes between continents. Even the name of the country comes from the Roman name of the settlement Portus Cale, which is translated from Latin as “Warm Port”.
During the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, it was from Portugal that the first trade and research expeditions were sent towards Africa, Asia, North and South America. The navigators of this country discovered Brazil, and St. Helena, Mauritius, the Tristan de Cunha archipelago, Madagascar, opened the sea route to Japan. Later, the Portuguese kingdom owned dozens of colonies in Africa, the North Atlantic, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf.
Today the country is a parliamentary republic. It is home to 10.3 million people. In terms of the number of inhabitants, Portugal surpasses Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Austria, but is inferior to them in economic development. It is part of the Schengen zone, is a member of NATO, the UN, the EU, the OECD and the Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking countries.
Geographical location of Portugal (briefly)
Portugal is located in southwestern Eurasia, occupying one sixth of the Iberian Peninsula. It also includes several islands located in the waters of the Atlantic. The island of Madeira is 600 km away from it, and the Azores is 1500 km away.
The geographical position of the country of Portugal on the mainland is characterized by isolation. Of all the European land states, it borders only Spain, which occupies the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. From the west and south, Portugal is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and related to it. On the other side of the bay, about 250-300 kilometers from the country, is Morocco.
Portugal is strongly stretched from north to south. In this direction its length is 550 kilometers. From west to east it is much more compact and on average its width reaches 180 kilometers. About 40 kilometers from Lisbon is Cape Roca, the westernmost point of Eurasia.
Due to its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar and Portugal it has always been considered strategically important. That is why its territory is used as a springboard for the deployment of NATO military bases, in particular on one of the Azores islands - Terceira. NATO headquarters is located in the city of Oieras, near Lisbon.
- Portugal is considered a mono-ethnic country; almost 90% of its inhabitants are ethnic Portuguese.
- The country has Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, Buddhists, but 90% of its inhabitants profess the Catholic religion.
- Colonial times have not passed without a trace. Today, Portuguese is spoken in 8 more countries: Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, East Timor, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe.
- American surfer Garrett McNamara in 2011 conquered the largest wave in Portugal with a height of 23.77 meters. The achievement is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
- According to international marketing law, the title “port” can only apply to those drinks that are produced using special technology in the Douro River valley near the city of Porto.
- Lisbon is home to the world's oldest bookstore, Livraria Bertrand, which opened in 1732.
Climate
The geographical location of Portugal is one of the most significant factors influencing its natural and weather conditions. Its entire territory lies within the subtropical zone, an area of Mediterranean climate type.
The Canary runs along the entire western coast of the country. It makes the climate cooler and the weather more unpredictable than in the rest of the Mediterranean. Despite this, the average temperature of the Portuguese coast is +20 ˚С.
In winter, a lot of snow falls across the country. However, the lack of significant disadvantages prevents it from sticking around for long. Most precipitation falls in the mountains and mainly in the winter months. Summer can be quite dry. The driest months of the year are August and July.
Nature of Portugal
The marginal, border geographical location of Portugal is fully reflected in its natural complexes. It’s as if two worlds have merged in the country: Central European and North African. This is expressed both in landscapes and in representatives of the local fauna.
In the north and central parts of Portugal there are mountains and forests, consisting mainly of coniferous trees. Mostly pine trees grow here, but there are oaks and eucalyptus plantations. Animals are represented by wild boars, Iberian lynxes and wolves, foxes, bears, and wild forest cats.
The south of Portugal is dominated by rolling plains covered with evergreen hard-leaved shrubs. In this part there are desert and semi-desert species close to African ones, for example, lizards, chameleons, wivers, genets, and various snakes.
The coast of Portugal is slightly indented and is broken only by the estuaries of rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. In the north, mountains come close to low-lying sandy beaches; in the south there are many lagoons and small bays. The country's shores are home to many waterfowl, and the waters washing them are inhabited by dolphins, sperm whales, shellfish, shrimp, anchovies and sardines.
Economy
Traditionally, Portugal is an industrial-agrarian country, the main focus of which is on the clothing, cotton, wool industries, production of port wine, olive oil and canned fish. Recently, tourism and the service sector have gained great importance.
The country has about 600 thousand hectares of oak plantations - the source of almost half of the world's cork bark. Portugal's eucalyptus groves are an important source of raw materials for the paper industry. In addition, the country mines uranium, tungsten, pyrites, coal, produces cement, tiles, petrochemical products, and builds ships.
Despite the favorable conditions, Portugal in 2017 was in approximately 43rd place in terms of GDP in PPP terms among the countries of the world. In Europe, it is inferior not only to Switzerland and Austria, but also to Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Estonia. The local market is closely linked with the Spanish state in the transport, banking and energy sectors. Business development and the influx of investment are largely hampered by strict government regulation.
Cities
Due to the peculiarities of Portugal's geographical location, its largest cities are located on the coast. The country's largest populated areas are Lisbon and Porto. Both are listed as global cities and are key elements of global trade and economics.
Lisbon has a population of approximately 550,000 people (the metropolitan area is approximately 2.3 million). It is the capital of Portugal, as well as the largest port, transport and economic hub of the state. It is one of the oldest European cities and was first mentioned back in 205 BC.
About 220,000 people live in Porto (about 2 million in the metropolitan area). In the past, it was the capital of Portugal, but now the city is simply a major industrial center and port. It is best known for the production of port wine. The old city center is a cultural treasure and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Portugal is located in the extreme southwest of Europe in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Portuguese Republic is a picturesque country with a mild temperate climate. Thanks to the proximity of the Gulf Stream, there are sultry summers and warm winters. The northern part of Portugal is characterized by a colossal amount precipitation and high humidity.
In contact with
Classmates
Portugal geographical location
Europe, Africa, Spain and Japan have added a certain charm to the country's history. In addition, the north of the country is surrounded by the low Serra da Estrela mountains (the height of which reaches 1991 meters), and in the south and central part there are the Portuguese lowlands, lowlands and hills, as well as a rich flora and fauna.
What continent is Portugal on?
Portugal is located at the western tip of Europe (Iberian Peninsula), washed Atlantic Ocean. Spain is nearby.
State structure
Portugal is a parliamentary-presidential republic. The head of government is the prime minister. The capital of the country is the pearl of Lisbon, which is located on seven hills on the right bank of the Tagus River. In 1147, after liberation from Arab conquests, it became the capital of the state. The capital owes this to the first king of Portugal, A. Henriques. By the way, the city was created by the Phoenicians as a stop at the intersection of sea routes and was named Alis Ubbo - happy bay. also famous not only for its sights (for example, the Castle of the Moors, etc.), but also for many other architectural masterpieces...
Language
The official language is Portuguese (English and Spanish are also used).
Religion
Catholics make up 97%, and Protestants -1%.
Currency
International name - EUR
In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 200,100, 50.20, 10 and 5 euros, in addition to coins in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
It is appropriate to say that it is advisable to exchange money in the cities of Lisbon, since the exchange rate there is quite reasonable and the commission fee is lower. The situation is different in banks and hotels: the exchange rate is lower, but the fee will be higher (in banks the commission is 0.5%).
Be that as it may, exchange rates at different banks can vary significantly from each other. Some commercial banks don't charge Commission from transactions, for example, worth less than 35 euros.
In particular, in some of your own stores and markets you can pay in US dollars (United States of America).
Traveler's checks are accepted everywhere and their rate is much more favorable than for cash, however, commissions are quite high (up to 15%), an isolated case is American Express checks, which can be changed without commission (at Amex). All tourist centers have ATMs (“multibancos”). Euro checks with a check guarantee card are exchanged at numerous banks. Credit cards Visa, Master Card, American Express are accepted everywhere.
The largest cities Portugal and population:
Portugal is a member of NATO, the EU and the UN.
Tourism in Portugal
Currently, the country provides a large number of various accommodation options. Here you can find both fashionable hotels and cheap campsites and village houses for rent. Due to the fact that the hotel business is strictly inspected by the government agency, the owners strive to provide services at the proper level. After all, the slightest dissonance with the hotel’s “star” rank threatens the deprivation of such a profitable business. Numbers are graded from 5 stars and below.
When we find ourselves in an unfamiliar area, we feel much more confident if we have a navigator or map with us. The area plan will always indicate where to go in order to achieve the set goal (the shortest route).
The same is true in professional research. Sometimes it is vital to obtain specific information, and an interactive guide will come to the rescue. It is a phenomenal electronic instrument based on advanced multimedia technology. For example, it will be extremely convenient to look at “Portugal on the world map”, or “Portugal on the map of Europe”. That is, with this innovation you can instantly - in 2-3 mouse clicks - find the answer to all your questions using the mighty Russian language. World, Europe, Spain, these words are thoroughly interconnected and reflect not only the history of Portugal, but the whole world.
The stories of many travelers begin with the words “I always dreamed of going to Iceland” or “I dreamed of France since childhood, and now I had the chance...”. There was nothing like this in my history, and I would be lying if I started in the same way, and introducing you to Portugal with a lie seems to me a crime.
In general, I came to Portugal almost by accident. Well, I was invited to visit. More than 5 years have passed since my first trip, and since then I have made three more visits to Portugal, because I returned home, but my heart remained there.
So there is no need to dissemble, everything started out much more prosaic for me, but now it’s just pure poetry, and I hope that my story about this country will seem convincing and informative enough for those who, like me once, had no idea that what Portugal is and why go there.
It’s probably worth starting with a simple question: “Why Portugal?” This country has never been included in the standard package of a novice traveler to Europe, giving way to France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Greece. At first I thought of complaining about the unfairness of life, but not being very popular with tourists is more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
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Many have been to Barcelona and Rome, but who has heard the music of the Lisbon streets, consisting of the perky tram ringing, the sad melody of fado and the sound of the surf? Many have seen Juliet's balcony in Verona and even left messages for her, but who has been to Alcobaça, famous for its beautiful and terrible love story?
In general, as they say, if you want to stay away from the “mainstream”, then you are on your way to Portugal with me.
Visa and border crossing
Obtaining a Schengen visa to Portugal is not much different from obtaining a Schengen visa to any other country, so those familiar with this system will not find the procedure difficult. For those flying to Europe for the first time, obtaining a Portuguese visa is also unlikely to be a problem. The Portuguese, either due to their good-natured nature or due to the economic crisis, boldly and easily give visas to almost everyone.
And for this you just need:
- obtain a certificate from your place of work or study;
- print out ticket and accommodation reservations;
- do not forget the original travel document (passport);
- fill out the visa application form in 2 copies (can be done on the spot);
- prepare 3 photographs according to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization;
- pay a visa fee (35 €);
- get health insurance;
- photocopy all completed pages of the civil passport.
Well, bring all this, of course, to the visa center or the Portuguese Embassy.
It is important to remember that a certificate from your place of work or study will not be enough without confirmation of your material wealth. In addition, do not forget that the package of documents for children differs from the above.
There are other conditions for applying for a visa, for example, an invitation from the country of entry or a non-tourist purpose of travel. Then you need to print and bring this invitation, as well as a copy of documents confirming the legality of the inviting person’s stay in the EU.
In my memory, I have never had documents processed longer than required, but personally, I prefer to attend to the issue of obtaining a visa as early as possible and do this no later than 2-3 weeks before the trip.
Crossing the border directly is usually simple and painless, but once a bottle of alcohol I bought at a Russian Duty Free was taken away from me, so it’s better to buy and put everything in your suitcase in advance.
How to get there
As you know, Portugal is the westernmost mainland country in Europe, and therefore, as you can guess, the path to it from Russia is not at all close. But there are several options.
Tourist regions
Portugal, like Russia, has two capitals, and, no doubt, they still compete with each other, but both of them are equally interesting and significant for the traveler.
Or rather, that’s what my conscience tells me to say, but I confess that my soul is given to Lisbon, besides, it’s just a stone’s throw from him Central region, where the most (in my opinion) bright and significant places in Portugal are concentrated. North, I believe, is interesting only for some surrounding cities (for example, Viana do Castelo), while the center of Portugal is the very flower of its beauty.
Of great value to Portugal are its coastal resorts. Of course, people come here for vitamin D and swimming, but for those seeking soft sun and gentle waves, Portugal will not seem like an ideal holiday destination.
However, this country is far from deprived of resorts in their classical sense. For those who want to relax on the beach and at the same time see some interesting places, this is perfect Lisbon Riviera. Estoril is a city with a rich past and a vibrant present. I highly recommend that even the most lazy people take off their towels on the beach and make small forays into these places.
However, for those who want to devote themselves to a resort holiday to the end, there is a region that is slightly less rich in attractions, but is perfect for those who are tired of the resorts of Spain and Greece. This is also for those who want to sunbathe, swim and lie on the sand. Its capital, Faro, is a significant center. This place is quite popular among the Spaniards, with whose homeland this city has close transport connections, as well as Russian tourists traveling on charters.
But if such a vacation makes you bored, then you should go to Leiria, Alcobas, Fatima and neighboring areas. This is for those who are interested in the culture and history of the country. Lack of protection from northern winds makes the weather in these places somewhat cooler, and the water temperature rarely exceeds twenty degrees. However, a certain severity of weather is not the main advantage of this area.
Personally, I love these areas for the great variety of interesting places to visit, ranging from magnificent Gothic temples, austere fortresses, to secluded beaches, pine forests.
Worthy of special mention Azores And Madeira, but they require no less time than the whole of Portugal, and therefore if you want to visit them too, relax there and return back, then calculate the duration of your trip.
Such a vacation is well suited for those who have long dreamed of visiting the islands, but either cannot afford it.
And here is a map that lists all the regions I have designated and some cities.
By the way, I usually book hotels in Portugal on Booking - after looking in the Travelask section to see if there are better prices. You can live not in a hotel, but in a private apartment -.
Top cities
First on the list, of course, will be the hearts of Portugal: Lisbon And .
By the way, next to Jeronimos there is the oldest and most famous coffee shop in Lisbon, famous for its pastel de nata dessert. The name of the coffee shop is Belen, and it is not at all difficult to find it, since it is located a couple of steps from the cathedral itself and close to McDonald's, to which, as usual, many signs lead. The line at Belem always goes out into the street, but trust me, it's worth it, because you must not often eat in coffee shops that have been in business since 1837?
However, you shouldn’t think that Lisbon is good only for its churches and palaces, and therefore don’t even think about passing the capital if you decide to come to Portugal.
But Portugal is not only good for Lisbon, and it’s time to turn north, where the ancient one awaits us. The city seems much calmer than Lisbon (apparently this is the lot of all northern capitals), but it is by no means less interesting.
How can a city with a Port Wine Museum be boring? :) Surely everyone knows such an alcohol brand as Sandeman, and if you remember that mysterious figure in a black cloak and sombrero, then you will be doubly interested to know that this image symbolizes two alcoholic drinks at the same time: Portuguese port (cape) and Spanish sherry ( hat).
It’s a special pleasure to walk through the museum’s cellars along huge barrels of wines dating back to the beginning of the last century. And of course, who would refuse a tasting?
However, if all these alcoholic explorations don’t interest you at all, then you can just start walking and see what’s beautiful in the city. For example, the Clérigos Tower, which offers views of the entire city. But climbing it is very tiring :).
Also worthy of mention is the Church of Santa Clara, famous for its gilded wood carvings. Thanks to its interior decoration, it can even resemble an Orthodox church, but, of course, Santa Clara is not one.
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Next to the church there is the famous Chapel of Bones with the optimistic greeting "Our bones are here waiting for your bones." By the way, the matter does not end there, and inside you are greeted by walls and columns decorated with patterns of bones and skulls. Nice, right?
However, just like Lisbon, it is not just port wine and bones that is worthy of your attention, and Portugal itself is not limited to two capitals.
If you're hungry for tragic love stories worthy of Shakespeare's pen, then you simply must visit Alcobas and touch the temple, which has become a symbol of fidelity bordering on madness.
If you want to see the grandiose monument to the Portuguese victory over the Spaniards (and be glad that you chose Portugal over its eastern neighbor on this trip), then your road lies in Batalya.
If you have always been attracted to the history of the Templars, then head to, if you want to see the residence of the Pope, then go to Leiria. The crowning achievement of this medieval tale is a walled city surrounded by a stone fortress. Obidos, where every year there is a magnificent festival where you can come dressed as a noble lady or a knight, a nun or a jester, an Arab or a Jew.
Entrance in a suit (you can try them on and choose them right there, no need to sew anything at night and carry it with you) costs only a euro more than usual, but you will get pleasure for a lifetime! And how much can you post on Instagram... :).
However, for those who are not too interested in all this medieval chaos, there is something to see in Portugal even without the listed cities. For example, Fatima. You don’t have to be a believer to visit this place, but I will still say that Fatima plays a special role for Catholic pilgrims. According to legend, it was there that the Virgin Mary appeared to three children and gave them three prophecies, each of which has already come true. In less than a hundred years, Fatima has become a significant cultural attraction for the Portuguese and tourists, and for Christians - a holy city. Also not far from Fatima there are famous caves Mira deEire.
Those interested in religion will also be interested to see Busaku, once the hunting ground of kings and now a luxury hotel. However, not only and not so much the palace is of interest to a potential traveler. All the most important things are hidden in the forest. Long ago, the Carmelites built cells there and created a path to the top of the mountain, similar to the one that the Savior walked. In each cell there is a scene from the life of Christ, and on the way up you can “read” the whole story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
If you are as far from religion as you are from Lisbon, then you will simply be pleased to take a walk up the narrow paths of this mysterious park, see the cork trees with your own eyes and, finally, reach the top, from where an impossible view of the whole of Portugal opens up.
So, to summarize:
- Porto and Lisbon are not discussed because they are capitals.
- Alcobasa, because it is a very bright and beautiful city, famous for its love story.
- , because where would we be without the Templars?
- Busaca, because Portugal is very beautiful from above, as is the route to the top.
- , because gothic is always good, and so is victory over the Spaniards.
- Fatima, because how can you pass by one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world?
- because it's beautiful and sunny.
- Sorry, because medieval festivals are a very, very good idea.
Islands
Few people know about Madeira something besides the fact that Princess Sisi was treated there at one time, oh, yes, and Ronaldo, of course. Meanwhile, Madeira seems to me simply an incredible place, fortunately or unfortunately, underestimated by Russian tourists. About Azores, by the way, they know even less, and therefore they, like Madeira, should be devoted to a separate article, but for now I’ll just tell you how to get to them.
The cheapest way to get from Russia to Madeira is by low-cost airlines from the Baltics, but affordable flights go through and through Frankfurt, and, of course, through. From Lisbon to Madeira you can fly within 100 €.
As for the Azores, traveling there is complicated by the fact that it is not one island, but an archipelago, and therefore requires communication between the islands. From Moscow, the cheapest way would be to fly to San Miguel, and from there fly or take a ferry.
Top attractions
It seems to me that I have already mentioned enough cool places, but if I were to sum it up, I would probably name the following:
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Weather
The ocean is not a sea, and its power is so great that the weather depends on its mood. In the summer it is really hot in Portugal, especially if the winds suddenly start blowing from Spain. But usually, the closer you get to the coast, the more you want to take a light jacket or at least a scarf with you.
Often before noon the sun is hidden behind the clouds, which is why in the presence of wind it becomes very, very chilly, but as soon as the sun comes out, it begins to become very hot. In general, do not disdain either sun protection or warm clothes. Portugal is fickle, like a capricious girl, and therefore you can expect anything from her. And yet, it is summer and, perhaps, autumn that can be considered the season for visiting the country.
Winter in Portugal is difficult for those who live on the coast, because the all-consuming dampness is hardly something that can be pleasant for anyone. It is much more pleasant to spend time in the interior of the country in winter, because the temperature rarely drops below zero, and the wind rarely wanders to disturb residents and guests.
The season in Portugal ends with the onset of the second half of autumn. Get ready for sleepy cities and an almost complete absence of tourists. This quiet may seem dull for sun seekers, but falling ticket prices may be a worthy compensation.
Money
To be honest, Portugal is in a difficult financial situation, and therefore prices are more than tolerable and can even be called ridiculous.
The country's currency is the euro, and it is, of course, more profitable to exchange it at home than in Portugal itself. Visa and Master Card are accepted almost everywhere. There are no specific conditions for the use of money.
Moving around the country
Let's start with the Lisbon metro. The Moscow metro is considered to be the most beautiful in the world, but there are cities in which it is no less beautiful, and this is one of them. The best artists and architects of Portugal worked on the design of the stations; in addition, they are quite clean and tidy, unlike many other European metros.
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There are only four lines in the metro, and even the Portuguese approached them from an aesthetic point of view, naming them simply by color (Red, Yellow, Green and Blue) and giving each of them its own small symbol. The blue branch is accompanied by a graceful seagull, the yellow branch is accompanied by a joyful sunflower, the green branch is accompanied by an elegant caravel, and the red branch is accompanied by a neat compass.
One metro trip costs 1.40 €, and for a day - 6 €. By the way, the ticket also works on the surface metro, similar to our trams.
The metro has a system of cards that can be replenished as soon as they run out of trips. It is important to keep your ticket until the end, otherwise you will simply not be allowed out and will be forced to pay a fine. The metro starts at 06:30 and ends at 1:00.
There are good connections between the cities by trains and buses, but to travel around the country, of course, you need to take a car. Rental usually costs just under 50 € per day. You can see how much different car models cost for rent at. And don’t let toll highways stop you! You can save money by purchasing a Via Verde card; in addition, separate lanes on the road for its owners can be a pleasant bonus. A tenant can be a person no younger than 21 years old and no older than 75, with at least a year of experience. Documents required include a foreign passport, driver's license and a bank card.
It is most convenient to pay on the roads using bank cards, since not all highways have operators. Usually the calculation procedure does not take much time and does not slow down the movement. The cost depends on the distance covered, for example, from Lisbon to the road it will cost less than 1.5 €, and from Lisbon to - a little more than 20 €.
Be careful with parking: they are strictly prohibited near bus and tram stops, and in addition, most often they do not operate 24 hours a day.
Don't forget about the alcohol limit. Permissible blood alcohol level - 0.49 % . I also remind you of the need to have seats for children under 12 years of age and the inadmissibility of driving without seat belts (even in the rear seats). Talking on the phone and exceeding the number of passengers in a car are punished no less severely.
If you decide to rent a car in Portugal, treat all the rules with attention and caution, because the Portuguese police do not let you relax, and I personally know many stories that ended in colossal fines and loss of license.
Finally, I’ll say something about bicycles, in case there are any enthusiasts among the readers. Getting around Lisbon on a bike will be difficult due to its hills, so don’t even try, but outside the cities, many roads have bike paths, and riding them is not only pleasant, but also safe. When I lived in, I quite often made bicycle trips into the surrounding area. I hope you will share this joy with me :).
Connection
If you are planning to stay in Portugal not for a couple of days, but a little longer, then I recommend that you purchase a local SIM card. The cheapest operator for communication with Russia is Lycamobile, but I personally have not used it.
There is, of course, the well-known Vodafone, but I am most familiar with MEO. I don’t know if there is something similar in Portugal now, but last summer the company had a promotion. They gave away SIM cards with unlimited Internet for free (honestly) to anyone under 25 years old. It is, of course, difficult to believe in this, but it turned out to be not a scam, and indeed the Internet worked without any restrictions. Of course, there is no money on the SIM card, and you have to top up the account balance yourself. But if you only needed the Internet, then this was generally ideal :).
You can, however, purchase a card for 9.9 € (and this money will already be on your SIM card). MEO provides several tariffs convenient for tourists, for example, for 10 € per month you can get unlimited calls and SMS within Portugal and 1 GB of Internet. In my opinion, it's quite good if you need to communicate with your fellow travelers.
In Lisbon and other large cities, the Internet and Wi-Fi are available in almost all intercity trains and buses, as well as public catering establishments, hotels, and sometimes found next to small stalls selling lemonade and ice cream. But in less touristic places the situation is more complicated.
Language and communication
The official language of the country is Portuguese, but if you happen to have some knowledge of Spanish or French lying around, it will really help you out.
Yes, by the way, about Spanish :). Don't try to speak Portuguese using a [sh] sound instead of a [c] sound, because phonetic differences aren't everything. However, most Portuguese people do understand the language of the neighboring country quite well, and if they answer you in Portuguese, chances are, if you speak Spanish, you will understand them.
The same goes for French. Many texts in public places are duplicated not only in Spanish, but also in French, and therefore you will definitely not be lost with knowledge of this language. And my friend Maria, who speaks excellent Italian, spoke in it in Portugal that year, and they also answered her in Portuguese, but everyone understood each other.
The situation with English is a little more complicated. The Portuguese speak it, but rather insecurely, and therefore trying, for example, to communicate in it with the generation over 60 years old is usually pointless. English-speaking Portuguese are more common among middle-aged people, and young people, of course, speak the language almost fluently.
However, Portuguese “fluency in English” is very different from, for example, Scandinavian, and not in favor of the first.
As for the Russian language, I have never met any Portuguese who even know “hello” or “thank you”. Although I'm lying. I know. But this Portuguese man has a Russian wife, so it doesn’t count.
In general, save our great and mighty one for traveling to other countries, and learn a few words in Portuguese yourself. They will be pleased :).
- Sim (sim) - Yes.
- Nao (nAu) - No.
- Ola (olA) - Hello/Hello.
- Me chamo [name] (mi shamu) - My name is [name].
- Adeus (adEzh) - Goodbye.
- Tchao (chAu) - Bye.
- Por favor (porfavor) - Please.
- Obrigado (obrigAdo)/f.f. obrigada (obrigada) - Thank you.
- Desculpe (dishkUlpe) - Sorry.
- Nao falo portugues - I don't speak Portuguese.
- Quanto custa (quanta kushta)? - What is the price?
Features of mentality
The Portuguese are friendly, hospitable and cheerful. It is easy to confuse them with the Spaniards, and those who have met the latter will easily imagine their western neighbors.
It is not the Portuguese's habit to ignore someone's troubles or show disrespect.
The Portuguese are those guys who will patiently stand at a traffic light and wait until you decide whether to cross your path or not, or will definitely ask what happened if you have a broken knee or a teary face. They are generally quite responsive and friendly, like most residents of southern European countries. Only they are very noisy :).
Food and drink
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess that the main supplier of food for Portugal was and remains the ocean. If you want to eat your fill of seafood, then you definitely need to take tickets to Portugal, and you will soon be satisfied with them for two lifetimes.
However, you should start from the beginning, that is, with snacks. In Portugal, as, for example, in Italy, the restaurant business is often a family affair, and therefore a chef can easily come to you, recommend the best dish for his taste and happily return to the kitchen to fulfill your order.
By the way, the work of a waiter is also treated differently here: many have held this position for many years and do not consider it something shameful; on the contrary, they like to please people, entertain them with conversations and take care of their convenience.
So, as you already understand, Portuguese restaurants are hospitable in themselves. As soon as you enter, as soon as you lay down on the paper tablecloths on the table, you will already find next to you a basket of hot bread, a saucer with olives and black olives, a couple of jars of pate and something else for the taste of the restaurant. You have the right not to touch anything offered, and then it will not be included in the price of your lunch, but be careful and honest: you have to pay for any pleasure, including a couple of olives eaten. However, the cost of these snacks is usually so low that they are not particularly significant for the overall bill.
The menu usually looks quite simple, and this is a good preview of the dishes themselves, because the main quality of Portuguese cuisine is simplicity. Where is the sophistication of France and Italy compared to what happens in the restaurants of Portugal?
Extremely simple food, but that doesn’t make it any less tasty, believe me. The Portuguese side dishes are quite monotonous and are often variations on the preparation of potatoes or rice.
The presence of vegetables on the plate is a must, and the Portuguese prefer to serve them not in salads (although it is worth paying tribute to the popular tuna salad), but separately. Fruits are generally absent from the table, but, as you know, they should be eaten separately, so the Portuguese are certainly right here. As for the main dishes... fried sardines, oysters in lemon juice, crab croquettes... If your mouth is already watering at the mention of these dishes, then I don't know what else you do at home.
However, for those who don’t like fish (or are simply tired of it), there is always meat or poultry. Speaking about the latter, one cannot fail to mention the famous piri-piri. Chicken pieces are marinated in the sauce that gives this dish its name, then fried or baked. The dish is quite spicy, so be careful :). The Portuguese love beef, goat and pork. The latter even has its own special restaurant for suckling pigs in the Leiria district, a monument to which stands in the courtyard of the establishment.
Desserts are worth mentioning separately, because for me personally, who is indifferent to fish (in such quantities!) and meat, it was a real outlet. I don’t like cardboard cakes, beaten up tiramisu and other popular desserts at all, but Portugal pleasantly surprised me.
The severe summer heat provided excellent soil for the creation of a wide variety of mousses and puddings, which are usually served cold. The Portuguese have them for all tastes: chocolate, lemon, mango, strawberry...
The already mentioned pastel de nata holds a special place in the hearts of the Portuguese. This is a very tasty and satisfying flour dish that can be eaten both hot and cold. Outwardly, it resembles neat bird nests, filled with something from the inside. For me personally, this is one of the best desserts in the world :).
As for drinks, the Portuguese prefer various types of wines, ranging from the lightest and youngest to dessert port. Alcohol in Portugal is inexpensive and tasty, and therefore, if you are not afraid of getting drunk, you can safely taste and partake.
And, of course, the Portuguese, like all Europeans, love coffee very much and almost never drink tea. Usually this is my personal pain, because I don’t like coffee, and tea isn’t even available everywhere.
I’ll end my story about food with questions about tips. Yes, this is accepted in Portugal, but it is at your discretion. Usually waiters are really friendly and polite, and therefore it’s even nice to encourage their work.
Oh yes! And one last thing. The Portuguese serve everything in fantastically huge portions, so don’t rush, even if you’re very hungry, to order more than one dish. Don't eat it. I'm sure. And if, nevertheless, you did something stupid and took so much that you can’t fit it anymore, or you just don’t want to eat too much, but you liked the dish, don’t hesitate to ask to wrap it with you. Portugal is a simple country, and this is completely normal here.
Shopping
Shopping in Portugal is just what the doctor ordered. Do you want to properly purchase for the coming season, but prices in Russia are high? Portugal will heal your wounds and equip you for the life ahead. Most well-known brands in Portugal are much cheaper than what we see on price tags in Moscow.
It is best, of course, to buy clothes in Lisbon (although, while living in, I went to Leiria, and there I found everything I needed in the main shopping center).
Vacation with children
Frankly, it always seemed to me that for children of more or less conscious age, any trip should be a great adventure, and therefore I even get confused when they ask me where is the best place to vacation in Portugal with children. Yes... everywhere! Children get the same impressions as adults, and in this country there will be plenty of them.
However, I will try to remember a few places where both children and their parents can have a pleasant time. I’ll start, perhaps, with aquariums, of which, as I already said, there are two in Portugal. The older one is located in Lisbon, and a few years ago another one opened in . Despite my ardent love for the capital of Portugal, for the first time I will give away the palm. The Lisbon Aquarium is good in itself, but it is interactive and therefore entertaining for children.
But in Lisbon there is a cool zoo (I already mentioned it above when I talked about the Sete Rios bus station), and it is definitely worth a visit.
Of course, how can you avoid water parks? The most popular of them are in the Algarve, but one cannot help but recall the panoramic water park near Pombal and the water parks in Amarante and Peniche.
Many beaches in Portugal have animation, playgrounds, trampolines and simple carousels.
Safety
I have heard rumors that there are people who slightly confuse Brazil and Portugal, who are sure that Portugal is some kind of criminal nest. So, I hasten to debunk such a myth, if anyone still has it. Portugal is an ordinary southern European country. This is not with its phenomenal level of theft, but I also do not recommend neglecting standard security rules.
There is no need to carry precious things, large sums of money with you and, especially, leave them somewhere. Don't bring anything more than the bare necessities to the beach, lest you suddenly find that you can't find your gold rings after building a sandcastle or swimming in the ocean.
No matter how funny it may sound, do not get very close to the ocean with documents or equipment. I know at least one person who carelessly left a bag with passports and his family’s money on the shore and lost it in the blink of an eye, and for me, for example, a sea wave attacked the phone in my hands and, of course, damaged its delicate technical organization.
As for crime, big cities are big cities, and therefore you should always be careful there, but in small towns no one has heard of murders, robberies and violence for a long time. My friends who have lived in Portugal for a long time say that they easily let their children go to visit friends late at night and do not call a hundred times if they are late, because there is simply nothing to be afraid of.
5 things you must do in this country
- Firstly, you simply need to eat your fill of seafood, because if you don’t live in the Far East, then we don’t have the ocean at hand, and all this is quite expensive. Once. And two - fresh seafood is much tastier than frozen :).
- Secondly, get off the shore into the water and swim so that you can say: “And I swam in the ocean!”
- In addition, go to Cape Roca (Cabo de Roca) and feel like you are at the end of the world. After all, beyond that there is only the ocean and...
- Oh yes. Well, listen to fado. No, I must admit, I personally am not a fan, but this seems to be the standard minimum for any visitor to Portugal.
- And of course, go to Óbidos, visit its medieval carnival, dress up as a gallant knight or his lady, eat rough and simple food, listen to cheerful folk music and drink ginja with a chocolate cup.
Nearby countries
Portugal has only one neighbor, and her name is . Since ancient times, these two countries have had relations no simpler than those of Germany and France, but it is all the more interesting to compare. Moreover, if you are frozen in Portugal and want warm waves, then you should definitely rush to Spain for a couple of days.
From Lisbon to Barcelona there are some 1,259 kilometers, and therefore you can safely take a car and go east. You can get to Valencia from Lisbon even faster. But it’s faster to get to Madrid from. As I already said, traveling along the roads of Portugal along the coast and forests is pleasant in itself, and only when another adventure awaits...
But if this does not appeal to you, then the prices for planes from Lisbon to Barcelona are quite adequate, and therefore you can save time by choosing air travel. If you buy tickets in advance, you can fly back and forth for a little more than 60 €.
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Introduction
The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. The peninsular part of Portugal is divided into 18 districts - the main administrative-territorial units; 4 districts make up the islands, enjoying internal autonomy in a number of matters. The traditional division of the country into historical provinces is preserved.
Portugal is located in the subtropical zone. However, since it occupies the westernmost edge of the Iberian Peninsula, its Mediterranean climate is noticeably moderated by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean.
Based on the complex of physical and geographical conditions in the country, two main natural regions are clearly distinguished - the northern, mountainous and forested, and the southern, predominantly flat, with a predominance of Mediterranean evergreen shrubs.
Brief description of Portugal
Portugal is one of the small countries of capitalist Europe. It is located in the southwestern part, on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as on the Azores and Madeira islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The distance from the main, continental part of the country to the Azores is 1500 km, to Madeira - 650 km.
By its geographical location, Portugal is an Atlantic and Mediterranean country. The area of the country is 92 thousand square meters. km., of which 3.4 thousand sq. km. are on the islands. It is inhabited by 9.8 million people. In terms of population, Portugal surpasses such industrial countries as Switzerland or Australia, and is close to Sweden. But in terms of economic development it is significantly inferior.
Population. The country's population is mononational, 99% are Portuguese. Many peoples have long settled on the Iberian Peninsula. The most ancient inhabitants - the Iberians - were short and dark-skinned. Over the centuries, the appearance of the Portuguese was shaped by the influence of the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, as well as Germanic tribes, in particular the Visigoths and Alamanni. Over the course of a century and a half, the population of Portugal grew from 3.4 million people in 1841 to 10.10 million people in 2003. Per 1000 inhabitants, the birth rate was approx. 11.45, and mortality 10.21. Natural population growth was partly compensated by emigration. Throughout the 20th century. the largest number of emigrants headed to America. However, in the 1960s, many Portuguese left in search of work in France, Germany and other Western European countries. From 1960 to 1972 almost 1.5 million Portuguese emigrated. In the late 1970s, emigration fell sharply, and after the Portuguese colonies in Africa gained independence, several hundred thousand Portuguese returned to their homeland.
Language. Portugal is a monolingual country. The official language is Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken approx. 184 million people on three continents. This language has similarities with Spanish, both of which are derived from the Latin language. However, Portuguese differs significantly from Spanish in pronunciation and grammar. The vocabulary of the Portuguese language was enriched by Arabic and German words, as well as the vocabulary of the languages of Asian peoples with whom Portuguese pioneer travelers and traders came into contact. The most significant work of medieval Portuguese literature is the epic poem Lusiads(1572), created by Luis de Camões. It tells the story of Portuguese geographical discoveries and glorifies Portugal and its people.
Cities. The largest and most important city in Portugal is Lisbon (2.1 million inhabitants and suburbs, 1996). It is the capital and main port of the country, an industrial center, a junction of roads, railways, and air communications. The growth of the suburbs was so rapid that by the 1990s, almost 2.3 million people lived in the Lisbon metropolitan area, i.e. almost a quarter of the country's population. Petrochemical plants, shipyards and many other industries form a powerful industrial complex covering suburbs such as Amadora (140 thousand people in 1991), Barreiro (59.5 thousand) and Almada (22.6 thousand). Porto is the main city of the North - the second most populous in the country (302.5 thousand in 1991; in the entire agglomeration about 1.2 million people). Porto, located on the right bank of the Douro River, the former capital of Portugal and the country's major port, is famous for its port wine. On the opposite bank of the Douro River is the city of Vila Nova di Gaia (31.5 thousand inhabitants in 1991), where many warehouses of wine companies are concentrated. To the north of Porto there is its suburb, Matosinhos (29.8 thousand), the center of sardine fishing and canning. The main city of central Portugal, Coimbra (118.9 thousand) is famous for its university, founded in 1290. It is also a trade and transport center. Braga (102.7 thousand) is the residence of the Roman Catholic primate of Portugal; there are small factories and handicraft workshops here. Setubal (85.3 thousand) is the center of the fish processing industry, fruit processing and car assembly.
Features of the city of Lisbon
Lisbon is the main port of the country. Its cargo turnover exceeds 10 million tons per year, accounting for more than 9/10 of Portuguese foreign trade turnover. The seaport and airport of Lisbon is of great international importance in transit transoceanic intercontinental communications.
Lisbon is located on 7 hills, ledges descending towards the river. Tagus. Therefore, the city has many stairs and funiculars, which, along with other features, give it its originality. The city proper initially consisted of 3 parts: the Old, or Eastern, city of the Lower City and the New, or Western, city, along with the vast Buenos Aires region. Later, from the end of the 19th century, the western suburbs - Alcantara, Junqueera, Belem and Ajuda - became part of the city. Lisbon is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Amoreiras SHOPPING CENTER in Lisbon.
The attractions of the Eastern city include the Church of Our Lady of the early 16th century, the Mithras Palace, which houses the Museum of the City of Lisbon, the Church of St. Vicente de Fora and the nearby Military Museum. The entire eastern part of the city is a web of narrow, steep streets. They encircle the hill in terraces or climb steep ledges. Low stone houses covered with tiled roofs seem to squeeze the roadway, which is mostly paved with cobblestones. To the north of the Old Town, in Plaza Chile, a monument to the great Portuguese F. Magellan was erected. In the north-eastern part of the city there is a University campus and a national library with over 1 million books. books.
In the Lower and New Towns there are government and business quarters, an educational institution, libraries, a museum, and theaters. The lower town occupies the central part of Lisbon and was largely rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755, when it was destroyed in 1 day. Relatively few valuable architectural monuments have survived.
The Praça do Commercio shopping area facing the river is very beautiful. In the center of the square is an equestrian statue of King Jose 1 by the sculptor Machado de Castro.
One of the attractions of the Lower Town is the arch connecting the square with Aubusta Street. This arch is one of the symbols of Lisbon. It is elegant, decorated with bas-reliefs and statues of famous people of the country. Rossio Square is very picturesque with mosaic pavement, bronze fountains, and a statue of King Pedro 4 on a high column. In the northern part of the square rises the building of the Drama Theater, decorated with figures of playwrights and theater characters. In the center of Restauradores Square, a monument was erected in honor of liberation from Spanish rule.
Main sectors of specialization of the capital The population of Portugal is quite homogeneous in ethnic, religious and linguistic composition. Regional differences were mainly determined by economic factors. Wealthy families, middle-class professionals and industrial workers were concentrated in the main industrial centers of Lisbon and Porto. In coastal areas, the population was mainly engaged in fishing and fish processing. In the interior of the country, agriculture predominated, although there was significant regional variation.
To the north of the Tagus River, small landholdings dominated - the so-called. minifunds. Family farms were often fragmented as a result of inheritance, with each plot of land divided among several heirs. Most of the Portuguese emigrant workers came from the northern regions. The population of this region was distinguished by its conservatism in religion, social views and politics. In southern Portugal, latifundia predominated, mostly owned by landowners. In 1974-1975, peasants expropriated many landholdings, especially in Alentejo, where cooperative peasant farms were organized.
