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Portugal: An Overview

Introduction

Portugal is not, as those unfamiliar with it sometimes imagine, a smaller copy of its neighbour, Spain, having its own language, identity, traditions and landscapes. Despite its popularity as a holiday destination, it remains one of the most unspoiled parts of Europe, with welcoming people, a generally relaxed pace of life and much to offer visitors of all ages and interests.

Many British people have already bought a second home in Portugal. Traditionally, the Algarve has been the most popular location, but the market for foreign investors is now expanding into more northerly regions, such as the Costa Verde and the Silver Coast, where prices tend to be lower, with the exception of Lisbon, Porto and some other fashionable areas.

Geography

At 92,000km2, the Republic of Portugal is slightly larger than Scotland. It is situated on the western edge of continental Europe, in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing borders to the north and east with Spain. Portuguese territory also includes the Atlantic Ocean islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores.

Portugal’s northern regions are mainly wild and rugged, while the south is largely composed of undulating plains. To the south and west lie the Atlantic and the many fine beaches for which the country is famous.

The three largest rivers are the Tagus, Douro, and Minho. The Tagus runs from Spain through central Portugal, forming a natural division between north and south.

Climate and weather

Mainland Portugal has a temperate Atlantic climate, with hot summers lasting well into September. However, there are considerable regional variations, and the highest temperatures occur only in the south. Inland areas tend to have hotter summers and cooler winters than coastal ones.

In the north, winters are cool and wet, and summers are showery. Annual rainfall is around 1,400mm, compared to about 500mm in the south. The Algarve’s climate resembles that of the Mediterranean, temperatures only seldom falling below freezing. Higher mountains, such as the Serra da Estrela, can experience significant snowfall.

Madeira and the Azores enjoy a year-round temperate climate, with significantly more rainfall than the rest of the country.

History

Portugal is one of Europe’s oldest countries. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was a world power, famous for its seafarers and colonisers, including Vasco da Gama, who reached India in 1498, and Pedro Cabral, who discovered Brazil in 1500. Portuguese explorers also discovered the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope and reached the Far East, China and Japan.

In 1580, Portugal lost its independence to Spain, regaining it in 1640. Lisbon’s destruction by an earthquake (1755), French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and Brazil’s independence (1822) all had a detrimental effect on the country’s wealth and standing.

Following the overthrow of the monarchy (1908), Portugal became a republic (1910). A founder member of NATO, it joined the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Portuguese culture
Page 3: Natural beauty
Page 4: National holidays

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