Portugal

Portugal,officially thePortuguese Republic,is a country in theIberian PeninsulainSouthwestern Europe. Featuringthe westernmost pointincontinental Europe, Portugal bordersSpainto its north and east, with which it sharesthe longest uninterrupted borderin theEuropean Union; to the south and the west is theNorth Atlantic Ocean; and to the west and southwest lie theMacaronesian archipelagosof theAzoresandMadeira, which are the twoautonomous regions of Portugal.Lisbonis thecapitalandlargest city, followed byPorto, which is the only othermetropolitan area.
The western part of the Iberian Peninsula has been continuously inhabited sinceprehistoric times, with the earliest signs ofsettlementdating to 5500 BC.CelticandIberianpeoples arrived in the first millennium BC. The region came underRomancontrol in the second century BC, followed by a succession ofGermanic peoplesand theAlansfrom the fifth to eighth centuries AD.Muslims conqueredthe mainland of present-day Portugal in the eighth century, but were gradually, and sometimes mercilessly expelled, by the ChristianReconquistaculminating with the final capture ofFaro, between 1238 and 1249 AD.Modern Portugal began taking shape during this period, initially as acountyof the ChristianKingdom of Leónin 868 and subsequently as a sovereignKingdomwith theTreaty of Zamorain 1143.
As one of the earliest participants in theAge of Discovery, the Kingdom of Portugal settled Madeira and the Azores, and established itself as a major economic and political power, largely through amaritime empirethat extended mostly along theSouth AtlanticandIndian Oceancoasts.The Portuguesewere among the first Europeansto explore and discover new territories and sea routes in South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and southern and eastern Asia, establishing a global commercial network of settlements, colonies, and trading posts.Lucrative trade in spices, slaves, and various other commodities enriched the kingdom and fueled acultural renaissance,but could not stem growing internal political challenges. Adynastic crisisin the early 1580s resulted in theIberian Union(1580–1640), which unified Portugal under Spanish rule,marking its gradual decline as a global power.Portuguese sovereignty was regained in 1688 following acostly and protracted war, while the1755 Lisbon earthquakedestroyed the city and further damaged the empire's economy.
TheNapoleonic Warsdrove thePortuguese royal familyto relocate toBrazilin 1807 andelevate it from colony to kingdom; this action ultimately culminated inBrazilian independence in 1822,which in turn triggered acivil war(1828–1834) between liberalconstitutionalistsandabsolutist monarchists.The monarchy endured until the5 October 1910 revolution, which replaced it with thePortuguese First Republic. A phase of unrest ultimately led to the rise of authoritarian regimes of theDitadura Nacionaland theEstado Novo.Democracy was finally restored following theCarnation Revolution of 1974, which brought an end to thePortuguese Colonial Warand allowed the last of Portugal's African territories to achieve independence.
Portugal's imperial history has left avast cultural legacy, with around 300 millionPortuguese speakersaround the world. Today, it is adeveloped countrywith anadvanced economyrelying chiefly upon services, industry, and tourism. Portugal, a member of theUnited Nations, the European Union, theSchengen Area, and theCouncil of Europe, was one of the founding members ofNATO, theeurozone, theOECD, and theCommunity of Portuguese Language Countries.
The wordPortugalderives from the combinedRoman-Celticplace namePortus Cale(present-day'sconurbationofPortoandVila Nova de Gaia). Porto stems from the Latin forport,portus;Cale's meaning and origin is unclear. The mainstream explanation is anethnonymderived from the Callaeci, also known as theGallaecipeoples, who occupied the north-west of theIberian Peninsula.One theory proposesCaleis a derivation of the Celtic word for 'port'.Another is thatCalawas a Celtic goddess. Some French scholars believe it may have come fromPortus Gallus,the port of the Gauls.
Around 200 BC, theRomanstook Iberia from theCarthaginiansduring theSecond Punic War. In the process they conquered Cale, renaming itPortus Cale('Port of Cale') and incorporating it into the province ofGallaecia. During theMiddle Ages, the region around Portus Cale became known by theSuebiandVisigothsasPortucale. The namePortucalechanged intoPortugaleduring the 7th and 8th centuries, and by the 9th century, it was used to refer to the region between the rivers Douro andMinho. By the 11th and 12th centuries,Portugale,Portugallia,PortvgalloorPortvgalliaewas already referred to asPortugal.
The region has been inhabited by humans since circa 400,000 years ago, whenHomo heidelbergensisentered the area. The oldest human fossil found in Portugal is the 400,000-year-oldAroeira 3H. Heidelbergensisskull discovered in theCave of Aroeirain 2014.LaterNeanderthalsroamed the northern Iberian peninsula and a tooth has been found at Nova da Columbeira cave inEstremadura.Homo sapiens sapiensarrived in Portugal around 35,000 years ago and spread rapidly.Pre-Celtic tribes inhabited Portugal. TheCynetesdeveloped a written language, leavingstelae, which are mainly found in the south.
Early in the first millennium BC, several waves ofCeltsinvaded Portugal from Central Europe and intermarried with the local populations to form several different ethnic groups. The Celtic presence is patent in archaeological and linguistic evidence. They dominated most of northern and central Portugal, while the south maintained its older character (believed non-Indo-European, likely related toBasque) until the Roman conquest.In southern Portugal, some small, semi-permanent commercial coastal settlements were also founded byPhoeniciansandCarthaginians.
Romans first invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 219 BC. The Carthaginians, Rome's opponent in thePunic Wars, were expelled from their coastal colonies. DuringJulius Caesar's rule, almost the entire peninsula was annexed to Rome. The conquest took two hundred years and many died, including those sentenced to work in slave mines or sold as slaves to other parts of the empire. Roman occupation suffered a setback in 155 BC, when arebellionbegan in the north. TheLusitaniansand other native tribes, under the leadership ofViriathus,wrested control of all of western Iberia. Rome sent legions to quell the rebellion but were unsuccessful. Roman leaders bribed Viriathus's allies to kill him in 139 BC; he was replaced byTautalus.
In 27 BC, Lusitania gained the status ofRoman province. Later, a northern province was separated from the province ofTarraconensis, under EmperorDiocletian's reforms, known asGallaecia.There are still ruins of castros (hill forts) and remains of theCastro culture, likeConímbriga,MirobrigaandBriteiros.
In 409, with the decline of theRoman Empire, theIberian Peninsulawas occupied byGermanic tribes.In 411, with a federation contract withEmperor Honorius, many of these people settled inHispania. An important group was made up of theSuebiandVandalsinGallaecia, who founded aSuebi Kingdomwith its capital inBraga. They came to dominateAeminium(Coimbra) as well, and there wereVisigothsto the south.TheSuebiand the Visigoths were the Germanic tribes who had the most lasting presence in the territories corresponding to modern Portugal. As elsewhere in Western Europe, there was a sharp decline in urban life during theDark Ages.
Roman institutions disappeared in the wake of theGermanicinvasions with the exception ofecclesiasticalorganisations, which were fostered by the Suebi in the fifth century and adopted by the Visigoths afterwards. Although the Suebi and Visigoths were initially followers ofArianismandPriscillianism, they adoptedCatholicismfrom the local inhabitants. St.Martin of Bragawas a particularly influential evangelist.
In 429, the Visigoths moved south to expel theAlansandVandalsand founded a kingdom with its capital inToledo. From 470, conflict between the Suebi and Visigoths increased. In 585, the Visigothic KingLiuvigildconquered Braga and annexed Gallaecia; theIberian Peninsulawas unified under aVisigothic Kingdom.A new class emerged, unknown in Roman times: anobility, which played a key social and political role during theMiddle Ages. It was under the Visigoths that the Church began to play an important part within the state. As the Visigoths did not learn Latin from the local people, they had to rely on bishops to continue the Roman system of governance. The laws were made by councils of bishops, and theclergyemerged as a high-ranking class.
Today's continental Portugal, along with most of modern Spain, was invaded from the South and became part ofal-Andalusbetween 726 and 1249, following theUmayyad Caliphateconquest of theIberian Peninsula. This rule lasted decades in the North, up to five centuries in the South.
After defeating theVisigothsin a few months, the Umayyad Caliphate started expanding rapidly in the peninsula. Beginning in 726, the land that is now Portugal became part of the vast Umayyad Caliphate's empire ofDamascus, until its collapse in 750. That year the west of the empire gained its independence underAbd-ar-Rahman Iwith the establishment of theEmirate of Córdoba. The Emirate became theCaliphate of Córdobain 929, until its dissolution in 1031, into 23 small kingdoms, calledTaifakingdoms.
The governors of the taifas proclaimed themselvesEmirof their provinces and established diplomatic relations with the Christian kingdoms of the north. Most of present-day Portugal fell into the hands of theTaifa of Badajozof theAftasid Dynasty, and in 1022 theTaifa of Sevilleof theAbbadidspoets. The Taifa period ended with the conquest of theAlmoravidsin 1086, then by theAlmohadsin 1147.Al-Andaluz was divided into districts calledKura.Gharb Al-Andalusat its largest consisted of ten kuras,each with a distinct capital and governor. The main cities were in the southern half of the country:Beja,Silves,Alcácer do Sal,SantarémandLisbon. The Muslim population consisted mainly of native Iberian converts to Islam andBerbers.The Arabs (mainly noblemen fromSyria) although a minority, constituted the elite. The Berbers who joined them, were nomads from theRif Mountainsof North Africa.
Invasions from the North also occurred in this period, withVikingincursions raiding the coast between the 9th and 11th centuries, including Lisbon.This resulted in the establishment of smallNorsesettlements in the coastline betweenDouroandMinho.
TheReconquistawas a period when Christians reconquered the Iberian Peninsula fromMoorishdomination. An Asturian Visigothic noble namedPelagius of Asturiaswas elected leader in 718by many of the oustedVisigothnobles. Pelagius called for the remnants of the Christian Visigothic armies to rebel against the Moors and regroup in the unconquered northern Asturian highlands, known today as theCantabrian Mountains, in north-west Spain.After defeating the Moors in theBattle of Covadongain 722, Pelagius was proclaimed king, thus founding the ChristianKingdom of Asturiasand starting the war of Christian reconquest.
At the end of the 9th century, the region of Portugal between the rivers Minho and Douro, was reconquered from the Moors by nobleman and knightVímara Pereson the orders of KingAlfonso III of Asturias.Finding many towns deserted, he decided to repopulate and rebuild them.
Vímara Peres elevated the region to the status ofCounty, naming it theCounty of Portugalafter its major port city –Portus Caleor modernPorto. One of the first cities he founded is Vimaranes, known today asGuimarães– "birthplace of the Portuguese nation" or the "cradle city".
After annexing the County of Portugal into one of the counties that made up theKingdom of Asturias, KingAlfonso III of Asturiasknighted Vímara Peres, in 868, as the First Count of Portus Cale (Portugal). The region became known asPortucale,Portugale, and simultaneouslyPortugália.With the forced abdication of Alfonso III in 910, the Kingdom of Asturias split into three separate kingdoms; they were reunited in 924 under the crown ofLeón.
In 1093Alfonso VI of Leónbestowed the county to Henry of Burgundy and married him to his daughter,Teresa of León. Henry thus becameHenry, Count of Portugaland based his newly formed county from Bracara Augusta (modernBraga).
At theBattle of São Mamede, in the outskirts ofGuimarães, in 1128,Afonso Henriques, Count of Portugal, defeated his motherCountess Teresaand her loverFernão Peres de Trava, establishing himself as sole leader of thecounty. Afonso continued his father Henry of Burgundy's Reconquista wars. His campaigns were successful and in 1139, he obtained a victory in theBattle of Ourique, so was proclaimedKing of Portugalby his soldiers. This is traditionally taken as the occasion when the County of Portugal became the independentKingdom of Portugaland, in 1129, the capital city was transferred from Guimarães to Coimbra. Afonso was recognized as the first king of Portugal in 1143 by KingAlfonso VII of León, and in 1179 byPope Alexander IIIas Afonso I of Portugal.
Afonso Henriques and his successors, aided by militarymonastic orders, continued pushing southwards against the Moors. In 1249, the Reconquista ended with the capture of theAlgarveand expulsion of the last Moorish settlements. With minor readjustments, Portugal's territorial borders have remained the same, making it one of the oldest established nations in Europe.
After a conflict with thekingdom of Castile,Denis of Portugalsigned theTreaty of Alcañicesin 1297 with Ferdinand IV of Castile. This treaty established the border between the kingdoms of Portugal and Leon. The reigns of Denis,Afonso IV, andPeter Imostly saw peace with the other kingdoms of Iberia.
In 1348-49 Portugal, as with the rest of Europe, was devastated by theBlack Death.In 1373, Portugal made analliance with England, the oldest standing alliance in the world.
In 1383John I of Castile,Beatrice of Portugal, andFerdinand I of Portugalclaimed the throne of Portugal. John of Aviz, laterJohn I of Portugal, defeated the Castilians in theBattle of Aljubarrota, and theHouse of Avizbecame the ruling house. The new ruling dynasty led Portugal to the limelight of European politics and culture. They created and sponsored literature, such as a history of Portugal, byFernão Lopes.
Portugal spearheaded European exploration of the world and theAge of Discoveryunder the sponsorship ofPrince Henry the Navigator. Portugal explored the Atlantic, encountering theAzores,Madeira, andPortuguese Cape Verde, which led to the firstcolonisationmovements. The Portuguese explored theIndian Ocean, established trade routes in most of southern Asia, and sent the first direct European maritime trade and diplomatic missions to China (Jorge Álvares) and Japan (Nanban trade). In 1415, Portugal acquired its first colonies by conqueringCeuta, in North Africa. Throughout the 15th century,Portuguese explorerssailed the coast of Africa, establishing trading postsfor commodities, ranging fromgoldtoslavery. Portugal sailed thePortuguese India Armadasto Goa via theCape of Good Hope.
TheTreaty of Tordesillasof 1494 was intended to resolve a dispute created following the return ofChristopher Columbusand divided the newly located lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain along a line west of theCape Verdeislands, off the west coast of Africa. In 1498Vasco da Gamabecame the first European to reach India by sea, bringingeconomic prosperity to Portugaland helping to start thePortuguese Renaissance. In 1500, the Portuguese explorerGaspar Corte-Realreached what is nowCanadaand founded the town ofPortugal Cove-St. Philip's, one of manyPortuguese colonies of the Americas.
In 1500,Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on Braziland claimed it for Portugal.Ten years later,Afonso de AlbuquerqueconqueredGoain India,MuscatandOrmuzin thePersian Strait, andMalacca, now in Malaysia. Thus, the Portuguese empire held dominion over commerce in the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic. Portuguese sailors set out to reach Eastern Asia, landing inTaiwan, Japan,Timor,Flores, and theMoluccas. Although it was believed theDutchwere the first Europeans to arrive in Australia, there is evidence thePortuguese may have discovered itin 1521.
Between 1519 and 1522Ferdinand Magellanorganised a Spanish expedition to theEast Indieswhich resulted in the firstcircumnavigationof the globe. TheTreaty of Zaragoza, signed in 1529 between Portugal and Spain, divided the Pacific Ocean between Spain and Portugal.
Portugal voluntarily entered a dynastic union (1580–1640) because the last two kings of theHouse of Avizdied without heirs, resulting in thePortuguese succession crisis of 1580.Philip II of Spainclaimed the throne and was accepted as Philip I of Portugal. Portugal did not lose its formal independence, forming aunionof kingdoms. But the joining of the two crowns deprived Portugal of an independent foreign policy, and led to its involvement in theEighty Years' Warbetween Spain and the Netherlands.
War led to a deterioration of relations withPortugal's oldest ally, England, and the loss ofHormuz, a strategic trading post located betweenIranandOman. From 1595 to 1663 theDutch Portuguese Warprimarily involved Dutch companies invading Portuguesecoloniesand commercial interests in Brazil, Africa, India and the Far East, resulting in the loss of Portugal's Indian sea trade monopoly.
In 1640John IV of Portugalspearheaded an uprising backed by disgruntled nobles and was proclaimed king. ThePortuguese Restoration Warended the 60-year period of the Iberian Union under theHouse of Habsburg. This was the beginning of theHouse of Braganza, which reigned until 1910.John Vsaw a reign characterized by the influx of gold into the royal treasury, supplied largely by theroyal fifth(tax on precious metals) from thePortuguese coloniesofBrazilandMaranhão. Most estimates place the number of Portuguese migrants toColonial Brazilduring the gold rush of the 18th century at 600,000.This represented one of the largest movements of European populations to their colonies, during colonial times.
In 1738Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, later ennobled as 1stMarquis of Pombal, began a career as the Portuguese Ambassador in London, later in Vienna. KingJoseph Iwas crowned in 1750 and made him hisMinisterof Foreign Affairs. As the King's confidence in Carvalho e Melo increased, he entrusted him with more control of the state. By 1755, Carvalho e Melo was made prime minister. Impressed by British economic success witnessed as Ambassador, he successfully implemented similareconomicpolicies in Portugal.
In 1761, during the reign of King José I, he banned the import of black slaves into mainland Portugal and India, not for humanitarian reasons, but because they were a necessary work force in Brazil. At the same time, he encouraged the trade of black slaves ("the pieces", in the terms of that time) to that colony, and with the support and direct involvement of the Marquis of Pombal, two companies were founded - theCompanhia do Grão-Pará e Maranhãoand theCompanhia Geral de Pernambuco e Paraíba- whose main activity was the trafficking of slaves, mostly Africans, to Brazilian lands.
He reorganised the army and navy and ended legal discrimination against differentChristiansects.He created companies and guilds to regulate commercial activity and one of the firstappellation systemsby demarcating the region for production ofPortto ensure the wine's quality. This was the first attempt to control wine quality and production in Europe. He imposed strict law upon all classes of Portuguese society, along with a widespread review of the tax system. These reforms gained him enemies in the upper classes.
Lisbon was struck by a majorearthquake on November 1st 1755, magnitude estimated to have been between 7.7 and 9.0, with casualties ranging from 12,000 to 50,000.Following the earthquake, Joseph I gave his prime minister more power, and Carvalho de Melo became anenlightened despot. In 1758 Joseph I was wounded in an attempted assassination. TheMarquis of Távora, several members of his family and even servants were tortured and executed in public with extreme brutality (even by the standards of the time), as alleged part of theTávora affair.
The following year, theJesuitsweresuppressed and expelled. This crushed opposition by publicly demonstrating even the aristocracy was powerless before Pombal. Further titled "Marquês de Pombal" in 1770, he ruled Portugal until Joseph I's death in 1777. The new ruler, QueenMaria I of Portugal, disliked Pombal because of his excesses, and upon her accession to the throne, withdrew all his political offices. Pombal was banished to his estate atPombal, where he died in 1782.
Historians argue that Pombal's "enlightenment," while far-reaching, was primarily a mechanism for enhancing autocracy at the expense of individual liberty and especially an apparatus for crushing opposition, suppressing criticism, and furthering colonial exploitation and consolidating personal control, and profit.
In 1807 Portugal refusedNapoleon's demand to accede to theContinental Systemof embargo against the United Kingdom; a French invasion underGeneral Junotfollowed, and Lisbon was captured in 1807. British intervention in thePeninsular Warhelped maintain Portuguese independence; the last French troops were expelled in 1812.
Rio de Janeiroin Brazil was the Portuguese capital between 1808 and 1821. In 1820,constitutionalistinsurrections took place atPortoand Lisbon. Lisbon regained its status as the capital of Portugal when Brazil declared its independence in 1822. The death of KingJohn VIin 1826 led to a crisis of royal succession. His eldest son,Pedro I of Brazil, briefly becamePedro IV of Portugal, but neither the Portuguese nor Brazilians wanted a unified monarchy; consequently, Pedro abdicated the Portuguese crown in favor of his 7-year-old daughter,Maria da Glória, on the condition that when she came of age she would marry his brother,Miguel. Dissatisfaction at Pedro's constitutional reforms led the "absolutist" faction of landowners and the church to proclaim Miguel king in February 1828. This led to theLiberal Wars, also known as theWar of the Two Brothersor thePortuguese Civil War, in which Pedro forced Miguel to abdicate and go into exile in 1834 and place his daughter on the throne as QueenMaria II of Portugal.
After 1815 the Portuguese expanded their trading ports along the African coast, moving inland to take control of Angola and Mozambique. The slave trade was abolished in 1836. InPortuguese India, trade flourished in the colony ofGoa, with its subsidiary colonies ofMacau, near Hong Kong, andTimor, north of Australia. The Portuguese successfully introduced Catholicism and the Portuguese language into their colonies, while most settlers continued to head to Brazil.
On 11 January 1890, theBritish governmentdeliveredan ultimatumto Portugal, demanding the withdrawal of Portuguese forces from the area between Portugal's colonies ofMozambiqueandAngola. The area had been claimed by Portugal as part of its colonialistPink Mapproject, but Britain disputed these claims, mostly due toCecil Rhodes' aspirations to create aCape to Cairo Railway, which was intended to link all British colonies via a single railway. The government of Portugal quietly accepted the ultimatum and withdrew their forces from the disputed area, leading to a widespread backlash among the Portuguese public, who viewed acceptance of the British demands as a humiliation.
On 5 October 1910, acoup d'étatoverthrew the near 800-year-old Monarchy and the Republic was proclaimed. During World War I, Portugal helped theAlliesfight theCentral Powers; however the war hurt its weak economy. Political instability and economic weaknesses were fertile ground for chaos and unrest during theFirst Portuguese Republic. These conditions led to the failedMonarchy of the North,28 May 1926 coup d'état, and creation of the National Dictatorship (Ditadura Nacional). This in turn led to the right-wing dictatorship of theEstado Novo(New State), underAntónio de Oliveira Salazarin 1933.
Portugal remained neutral inWorld War II. From the 1940s to 1960s, Portugal was a founding member ofNATO,OECD, theEuropean Free Trade Association(EFTA) and joined theUnited Nationsin 1955. New economic development projects and relocation of mainland Portuguese citizens into the overseas provinces in Africa were initiated, withAngolaandMozambiquebeing the main targets of those initiatives. These actions were used to affirm Portugal's status as atranscontinentalnation and not a colonial empire.
Pro-Indian residents ofDadra and Nagar Haveli, separated those territories from Portuguese rule in 1954.In 1961,Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá's annexation by theRepublic of Dahomeywas the start of a process that led to the dissolution of the centuries-old Portuguese Empire. Another forcible retreat occurred in 1961 when Portugal refused to relinquishGoa. The Portuguese were involved in armed conflict inPortuguese Indiaagainst theIndian Armed Forces. Theoperations resulted in the defeatand loss of the remaining Portuguese territories in theIndian subcontinent. The Portuguese regime refused to recognise Indian sovereignty over the annexed territories, which continued to be represented in the National Assembly until the coup of 1974.
Also in the early 1960s the independence movements in the Portuguese provinces ofPortuguese Angola,Portuguese Mozambique, andPortuguese Guineain Africa, resulted in thePortuguese Colonial War(lasting from 1961 till 1974). The war mobilised around 1.4 million men for military or for civilian support service,and led to large casualties. Throughout the colonial war period Portugal dealt with increasing dissent, arms embargoes and other punitive sanctions imposed by the international community. The authoritarian and conservative Estado Novo regime, first governed by Salazar and from 1968 byMarcelo Caetano, tried to preserve the empire.
The government and army resisted thedecolonizationof its overseas territories until April 1974, when a left-wing militarycoupin Lisbon, the Carnation Revolution, led the way for the independence of territories, as well as the restoration of democracy after two years of a transitional period known as PREC (Processo Revolucionário Em Curso). This period was characterised by power disputes between left- and right-wing political forces. By the summer of 1975, the tensions were so high, that the country was on the verge of civil war. Forces connected to the extreme left-wing launched another coup on 25 November, but a military faction, the Group of Nine, initiated a counter-coup.
The Group of Nine emerged victorious, preventing the establishment of acommunist stateand ending political instability. The retreat from the overseas territories prompted a mass exodus of Portuguese citizens from its African territories.Over one millionPortuguese refugeesfled the former Portuguese provinces, as white settlers were usually not considered part of the former colonies. By 1975, all Portuguese African territories were independent and Portugal heldits first democratic electionsin 50 years.
Portugal continued to be governed by aNational Salvation Juntauntil thePortuguese legislative election of 1976. It was won by thePortuguese Socialist Partyand Mário Soares, its leader, became prime minister. Soares would be prime minister from 1976 to 1978 and 1983 to 1985. Soares tried to resume the economic growth and development record that had been achieved before the Carnation Revolution. He initiated the process of accession to theEuropean Economic Community(EEC).
After the transition to democracy, Portugal flipped betweensocialismand adherence to theneoliberalmodel.Land reformandnationalisationswere enforced; thePortuguese Constitutionwas rewritten to accommodate socialist and communist principles. Until the revisions of 1982 and 1989, the constitution had references to socialism, the rights of workers, and the desirability of asocialist economy. Portugal's economic situation after the revolution obliged the government to pursueInternational Monetary Fund(IMF)-monitored stabilisation programmes in 1977–78 and 1983–85.
In 1986 Portugal alongside Spain, joined the European Economic Community which later became theEuropean Union(EU). Portugal's economy progressed considerably as a result ofEuropean Structural and Investment Fundsand companies' easier access to foreign markets.
Portugal's last overseas territory,Macau, was peacefully handed over to China in 1999. In 2002, the independence ofEast Timor(Asia) was formally recognised by Portugal. In 1995, Portugal started to implementSchengen Arearules, eliminating border controls with other Schengen members.Expo '98took place in Portugal and in 1999 it was one of the founding countries of theeuroandeurozone. In 2004José Manuel Barroso, the thenPrime Minister of Portugal, was nominatedPresident of the European Commission. On 1 December 2009 theTreaty of Lisbonentered into force, enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union. Economic disruption and an unsustainable growth ingovernment debtduring thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008led the country to negotiate in 2011 with the IMF and the European Union, through theEuropean Financial Stability Mechanismand theEuropean Financial Stability Facility, a loan to help the country stabilise its finances.
Portugal occupies an area on theIberian Peninsula(referred to asthe continentby most Portuguese) and two archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean:Madeiraand theAzores. It lies between latitudes30°and42° N, and longitudes32°and6° W.
Continental Portugalis split by its main river, theTagus, that flows from Spain and disgorges in theTagus Estuaryat Lisbon, before escaping into the Atlantic. The northern landscape is mountainous towards the interior with several plateaus indented by river valleys, whereas the south, including theAlgarveand theAlentejoregions, is characterized by rolling plains.
Portugal's highest peak isMount PicoonPico Islandin the Azores. The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores are scattered within the Atlantic Ocean: the Azores straddling theMid-Atlantic Ridgeon a tectonic triple junction, and Madeira along a range formed byin-platehotspotgeology. Geologically, these islands were formed by volcanic and seismic events. The last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in 1957–58 (Capelinhos) and minor earthquakes occur sporadically.
The exclusive economic zone, a sea zone over which the Portuguese have special rights in exploration and have use of marine resources, covers an area of 1,727,408 km(666,956 sq mi). This is the 3rd largestexclusive economic zoneof the European Union and the 20th largest in the world.
The term "provinces" (Portuguese:províncias) has been used throughout history to identify regions ofcontinental Portugal. Current legalsubdivisions of Portugaldo not coincide with the provinces, but several provinces, in their 19th- and 20th-century versions, still correspond to culturally relevant, strongly self-identifying categories. They include:
The islands ofAzoresandMadeirawere never called "provinces".
Portugal is mainly characterised by aMediterranean climate,temperate maritime climatein high altitude zones of the Azorean islands; asemi-arid climatein parts of theBeja Districtfar south and inPorto Santo Island, ahot desert climatein theSelvagens Islandsand ahumid subtropical climatein the westernAzores, according to theKöppen-Geiger climate classification. It is one of the warmest countries in Europe: the average temperature inmainland Portugalvaries from 10–12 °C (50.0–53.6 °F) in the mountainous interior north to 17–19 °C (62.6–66.2 °F) in the south and on theGuadianariver basin. There are variations from the highlands to the lowlands.TheAlgarve, separated from theAlentejoregion by mountains reaching up to 900 metres (3,000 ft) inAlto da Fóia, has a climate similar to that of the southern coastal areas of Spain or Southwest Australia.
Annual average rainfall in the mainland varies from just over 3,200 millimetres (126.0 in) on thePeneda-Gerês National Parkto less than 500 millimetres (19.7 in) in southern parts ofAlentejo.Mount Picoreceives the largest annual rainfall (over 6,250 millimetres (246.1 in) per year), according toInstituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera. In some areas, such as the Guadiana basin, annual diurnal average temperatures can be as high as 24.5 °C (76.1 °F), and summer's highest temperatures are routinely over 40 °C (104 °F). The record high of 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) was recorded inAmareleja.
Snowfalls occur regularly, in the winter, in the interior North and Centre, particularly on the mountains. In winter, temperatures may drop below −10.0 °C (14.0 °F). In these places snow can fall any time from October to May. In the South snowfalls are rare but still occur in the highest elevations. While the official absolute minimum byIPMAis −16.0 °C (3.2 °F) inPenhas da SaúdeandMiranda do Douro, lower temperatures have been recorded. Continental Portugal receives around 2,300-3,200 hours of sunshine annually, an average of 4–6 hours in winter and 10–12 hours in the summer, with higher values in the south-east, south-west, Algarve coast and lower in the north-west.
Portugal's central west and southwest coasts have an extreme oceanseasonal lag; sea temperatures are warmer in October than in July and are their coldest in March. The averagesea surface temperatureon the west coast of mainland Portugal varies from 14–16 °C (57.2–60.8 °F) in January−March to 19–21 °C (66.2–69.8 °F) in August−October while on the south coast it ranges from 16 °C (60.8 °F) in January−March and rises in the summer to about 22–23 °C (71.6–73.4 °F), occasionally reaching 26 °C (78.8 °F).In the Azores, around 16 °C (60.8 °F) in February−April to 22–24 °C (71.6–75.2 °F) in July−September,and in Madeira, around 18 °C (64.4 °F) in February−April to 23–24 °C (73.4–75.2 °F) in August−October.
Azores and Madeira have a subtropical climate, although variations between islands exist. The Madeira and Azorean archipelagos have a narrower temperature range, with annual average temperatures exceeding 20 °C (68 °F) in some parts of the coast.Some islands in Azores have drier months in the summer. Consequently, the islands of the Azores have been identified as having aMediterranean climate, while some islands (such asFloresorCorvo) are classified asHumid subtropical, transitioning into anOceanic climateat higher altitudes.Porto Santo Islandin Madeira has a warm semi-arid climate. TheSavage Islands, which are part of the regional territory of Madeira and a nature reserve are unique in being classified as a desert climate with an annual average rainfall of approximately 150 millimetres (5.9 in).
Portugal is located on theMediterranean Basin, the third most diverse hotspot of flora in the world.It is home to six terrestrial ecoregions:Azores temperate mixed forests,Cantabrian mixed forests,Madeira evergreen forests,Iberian sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forests,Northwest Iberian montane forests, andSouthwest Iberian Mediterranean sclerophyllous and mixed forests.Over 22% of its land area is included in theNatura 2000network.Eucalyptus,cork oakandmaritime pinetogether make up 71% of the total forested area of continental Portugal.Wildfires are quite common and a major issue in Portugal,being the country with the highest percentage of burned area, on average, in the entireEuropean Union.
Geographical and climatic conditions facilitate the introduction of exotic species that later turn to be invasive and destructive to the native habitats. Around 20 percent of the total number of extant species in continental Portugal areexotic.Portugal is the second country in Europe with the highest number of threatened animal and plant species.Portugal as a whole is an important stopover for migratory bird species.
The large mammalian species of Portugal (deer,Iberian ibex,wild boar,red fox,Iberian wolfandIberian lynx) were once widespread throughout the country, but intense hunting, habitat degradation and growing pressure from agriculture and livestock reduced population on a large scale in the 19th and early 20th century, others, such as thePortuguese ibexwere even led to extinction. Today, these animals are re-expanding their native range.
The Portuguese west coast is part of the four major Eastern BoundaryUpwellingSystems of the ocean. This seasonal upwelling system typically seen during the summer months brings cooler, nutrient rich water up to the sea surface promotingphytoplanktongrowth,zooplanktondevelopment and the subsequent rich diversity inpelagic fishand othermarine invertebrates.This makes Portugal one of the largest per capita fish-consumers in the world.73% of thefreshwater fishoccurring in theIberian Peninsulaare endemic, the largest out of any region in Europe.Someprotected areas of Portugalinclude: theSerras de Aire e Candeeiros,theSouthwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park,and theMontesinho Natural Parkwhich hosts some of the only populations ofIberian wolfandIberian brown bear.
Portugal has been asemi-presidentialrepresentative democraticrepublicsince the ratification of theConstitution of 1976, withLisbon, the nation's largest city, as its capital.The Constitution grants the division or separation of powers among four sovereignty bodies: thePresident of the Republic,  theAssembly of the Republic, theGovernmentand theCourts.
The Head of State is thePresident of the Republic, elected to a five-year term by direct,universal suffrage; the current president isMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Although largely a ceremonial post,Presidential powers include the appointment of the Prime Minister and other members of the Government; dismissing the Prime Minister; dissolving the Assembly;vetoinglegislation (which may be overridden by the Assembly); and declaring war (only on the advice of the Government and with the authorisation of the Assembly).The President has also supervisory andreserve powersand is theex officioCommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The President is advised on issues of importance by theCouncil of State.
TheAssembly of the Republicis a single chamber parliament composed of a maximum of 230 deputies elected for a four-year term.The Government is headed by thePrime Ministerand includes Ministers and Secretaries of State, that have full executive powers;the current prime minister isLuís Montenegro.TheCouncil of Ministers– under the Prime Minister (or the President at the latter's request) and the Ministers – acts as thecabinet.TheCourtsare organized into several levels, among the judicial, administrative and fiscal branches. TheSupreme Courtsare institutions of last resort/appeal. A thirteen-memberConstitutional Courtoversees the constitutionality of the laws.
Portugal operates a multi-party system of competitive legislatures/local administrative governments at the national, regional and local levels. The Assembly of the Republic, Regional Assemblies and local municipalities and parishes, are dominated by two political parties, theSocial Democratic Partyand theSocialist Party, in addition toEnough, theLiberal Initiative, theLeft Bloc, theUnitary Democratic Coalition(Portuguese Communist PartyandEcologist Party "The Greens"),LIVRE, theCDS – People's Partyand thePeople Animals Nature.
A member state of theUnited Nationssince 1955, Portugal is a founding member ofNATO(1949), theOECD(1961) andEFTA(1960); it left the last in 1986 to join theEuropean Economic Community, which became the European Union in 1993. In 1996, Portugal co-founded theCommunity of Portuguese Language Countries(CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth, an international organisation and political association ofLusophonenations wherePortugueseis an official language. Portugal has hosted several international summits and events like thefirst EU–Brazil summitin July 2007, thesecond EU–African Union summitin December 2007, the signing of theTreaty of Lisbonalso in December 2007, and theNATO summitin November 2010.
Portugal was a full member of theLatin Union(1983) and theOrganisation of Ibero-American States(1949). It has a friendship alliance anddual citizenshiptreaty with its former colony, Brazil. Portugal and the United Kingdom share the world's oldest active military accord through theirAnglo-Portuguese Alliance(Treaty of Windsor), signed in 1373.
Olivenza: Under Portuguese sovereignty since 1297, the municipality of Olivença was ceded to Spain under theTreaty of Badajozin 1801, after theWar of the Oranges. Portugal claimed it back in 1815 under theTreaty of Vienna. However, since the 19th century, it has been continuously ruled by Spain which considers the territory theirs not onlyde factobut alsode jure.
Savage Islands: A small group of mostly uninhabited islets which fall under Portuguese Madeira's regional autonomous jurisdiction. Found in 1364 by Italian mariners under the service ofPrince Henry The Navigator,it was first noted by Portuguese navigator Diogo Gomes de Sintra in 1438. Historically, the islands have belonged to private Portuguese owners from the 16th century on, until 1971when the government purchased them and established a natural reserve area covering the whole archipelago. The islands have been claimed by Spain since 1911,and the dispute has caused some periods of political tension between the two countries.The main problem for Spain's attempts to claim these small islands, has been not so much their intrinsic value, but the fact that they expand Portugal'sexclusive economic zoneconsiderably to the south, in detriment of Spain.The Selvagens Islands have been tentatively added to UNESCO's world heritage list in 2017.
The armed forces have three branches:Navy,ArmyandAir Force, commanded by thePortuguese Armed Forces General Staff. They serve primarily as a self-defence force whose mission is to protect the territorial integrity of the country but can also be used in offensive missions in foreign territories.In recent years, thePortuguese Armed Forceshave carried out severalNATOandEuropean Unionmilitary missions in various territories, namely inAfghanistan,Iraq,Lebanon,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Kosovo,Mali,Central African Republic,Somalia,MozambiqueandEast Timor. As of 2023, the three branches numbered 24.000 military personnel.Portuguese military expenditurein 2023 was more than 4 billion US$, representing 1.48 per cent of GDP.
The Army  of 11,000 personnel comprises three brigades and other small units. AnInfantry Brigade(mainly equipped withPandur IIAPC,M114 howitzerandMIM-72 Chaparralair defence systems), aMechanized Brigade(mainly equipped withLeopard 2 A6tanks andM113A2APC) and aRapid Reaction Brigade(consisting ofParatroopers,Commandos,RangersandArtillery Regiment). The Navy (7,000 personnel, of which 900 aremarines), the world's oldest surviving naval force, has five frigates, two corvettes, two submarines, and 20 oceanic patrol vessels. The Air Force (6,000 personnel) has theLockheed F-16M Fighting Falconas the main combat aircraft.
In addition to the three branches of the armed forces, there is theNational Republican Guard, a security force subject to military law and organisation (gendarmerie) comprising 25,000 personnel. This force is under the authority of both the Defence and the Interior Ministry. It has provided detachments for participation in international operations in Iraq and East Timor. The United States maintains a military presence with 770 troops in theLajes Air BaseatTerceira Island, in the Azores. TheAllied Joint Force Command Lisbon(JFC Lisbon) is one of the three main subdivisions ofNATO'sAllied Command Operations.
The Portuguese legal system is part of the civil law legal system. The main laws include the Constitution (1976), thePortuguese Civil Code(1966) and thePenal Code of Portugal(1982), as amended. Other relevant laws are theCommercial Code(1888) and theCivil Procedure Code(1961). Portuguese laws were applied in the formercolonies and territoriesand continue to be influences for those countries. The supreme national courts are theSupreme Court of Justiceand theConstitutional Court. ThePublic Ministry, headed by the Attorney General of the Republic, constitutes the independent body of public prosecutors.
Drugdecriminalisationwas declared in 2001, making Portugal the first country to allow usage and personal possession of all common drugs. Despite criticism from other European nations, who stated Portugal's drug consumption would tremendously increase, overall drug use has declined along withHIVinfection cases, which dropped 50 percent by 2009. Overall drug use among 16- to 18-year-olds declined, however use of marijuana rose slightly.
LGBT rights in Portugalhave increased substantially in the 21st century. In 2003, Portugal added an anti-discrimination employment law on the basis of sexual orientation.In 2004, sexual orientation was added to the Constitution as part of the protected from discrimination characteristics.In 2010, Portugal became the sixth country in Europe and eighth in the world to legalizesame-sex marriageat the national level.
LGBT adoptionhas been allowed since 2016as has female same-sex couple access to medically assisted reproduction.In 2017 theLaw of Gender Identity,simplified the legal process ofgenderand name change fortransgenderpeople, making it easier for minors to change theirsex markerin legal documents.In 2018, the right togender identityandgender expressionself-determination became protected,intersexminors became protected by law from unnecessarymedical procedures"until the minor gender identity manifests" and the right of protection from discrimination on the basis ofsex characteristicsbecame protected by the same law.
Euthanasiahas been legalised after several parliamentary reviews. National residents over 18 who are terminally ill and in extreme suffering, but who can still decide to, have the legal right to request for assisted dying. Non-residents or foreigners are not allowed euthanasia.Despite the Parliamentary approval in 2023, Euthanasia legislation is yet to be defined and implemented.
Portugal's main police organisations are theGuarda Nacional Republicana– GNR(National Republican Guard), agendarmerie; thePolícia de Segurança Pública– PSP(Public Security Police), a civilian police force who work in urban areas; and thePolícia Judiciária– PJ(Judicial Police), a highly specialised criminal investigation police that is overseen by the Public Ministry.
Portugal has 49 correctional facilities in total run by the Ministry of Justice. They include seventeen central prisons, four special prisons, twenty-seven regional prisons, and one 'Cadeia de Apoio' (Support Detention Centre).As of 1 January 2023, their current prison population is about 12,257 inmates, which comes to about 0.12% of their entire population.The incarceration rate has been on the rise since 2010, with a 15% increase over the past eight years.
Administratively, Portugal is divided into 308municipalities(municípiosorconcelhos), which after a reform in2013are subdivided into 3,092 civil parishes (Portuguese:freguesia). Operationally, the municipality and civil parish, along with the national government, are the only legallylocal administrative unitsidentified by the government of Portugal (for example, cities, towns or villages have no standing in law, although may be used as catchment for the defining services).Continental Portugalis agglomerated into 18 districts, while the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are governed asautonomous regions; the largest units, established since 1976, are either mainland Portugal and theautonomous regions of Portugal(AzoresandMadeira).
The 18 districts of mainland Portugal are:Aveiro,Beja,Braga,Bragança,Castelo Branco,Coimbra,Évora,Faro,Guarda,Leiria,Lisbon,Portalegre,Porto,Santarém,Setúbal,Viana do Castelo,Vila RealandViseu– each district takes the name of the district capital.
Within the European Union NUTS system, Portugal is divided into nine regions:theAzores,Alentejo,Algarve,Centro,Lisboa,Madeira,Norte,Oeste e Vale do TejoandPenínsula de Setúbal, and with the exception of the Azores and Madeira, NUTS areas are subdivided into 28 subregions. Population estimates from 2023.
Portugal is adevelopedandhigh-income countrywith a GDP per capita of 83% of the EU27 average in 2023, and aHDIof 0.874 (the 42nd highest in the world) in 2021.It holds the13th largest gold reserve in the worldat itsnational central bank,has the 8th largest proven reserves oflithium,with total exports representing 47.4% of its GDP in 2023.Portugal has been a net beneficiary of theEuropean Union budgetsince it joined the union, then known asEEC, in 1986.
By the end of 2023, GDP (PPP) was $47,209 per capita, according to theWorld Bank.In 2023, Portugal had the 5th lowest GDP per capita (PPP) of the eurozone out of 20 members, and the 8th lowest of the European Union out of 27 member-states.In 2022,labour productivityhad fallen to the fourth lowest among the 27 member-states of the European Union (EU) and was 35% lower than the EU average.
Portugal was an original member of theeurozone. The national currency, theeuro(€) started transitioning from thePortuguese Escudoin 2000 and consolidated in 2002. Portugal's central bank is theBanco de Portugal, an integral part of theEuropean System of Central Banks. Most industries, businesses and financial institutions are concentrated in theLisbonandPortometropolitan areas – theSetúbal,Aveiro,Braga,Coimbra,LeiriaandFarodistricts are the biggest economic centres outside these two main areas.
Since theCarnation Revolutionof 1974, which culminated in the end of one of Portugal's most notablephases of economic expansion,a significant change has occurred in the nation's annual economic growth.After the turmoil of the 1974 revolution, Portugal tried to adapt to a changingmodern global economy, a process that continues. Since the 1990s, Portugal'spublic consumption-basedeconomic developmentmodel has changed to a system focused on exports, privateinvestmentand the development of thehigh-techsector. Consequently, business services have overtaken more traditional industries such as textiles, clothing, footwear andcork(Portugal is the world's leading cork producer),wood products and beverages.
In the 2010s, the Portuguese economy suffered its most severe recession since the 1970s, which resulted in the country receiving a 78-billion-euro bailout from theEuropean Unionand theInternational Monetary Fundin May 2011.By end of 2023, the share of debt as percentage of GDP fell below 100 percent, to 97.9%,and fell further to 95.3% by the end of 2024.
In 2024, the average gross salary was €1,602 per month,and theminimum wage, which is regulated by law, is €870 per month (paid 14 times per annum) as of 2025.TheGlobal Competitiveness Reportfor 2019, published by theWorld Economic Forum, placed Portugal 34th. The Numbeo quality of life index placed Portugal 20th in the world in 2023.
Companies listed onEuronext Lisbonstock exchangelikeEDP,Galp,Jerónimo Martins,Mota-Engil,Novabase,Semapa,Portucel Soporcel,Portugal TelecomandSonae, are among the largest corporations by number of employees,net incomeor internationalmarket share. The Euronext Lisbon is the major stock exchange and part of the pan-European group of stock exchangesEuronext. ThePSI-20is Portugal's most selective and widely knownstock index.
TheOECDeconomic reports since 2018 show recovery.Rents and house prices have skyrocketed in Portugal, particularly Lisbon, where rents jumped 37% in 2022. The 8% inflation rate in the same year exacerbated the problem.According to the IMF, Portugal's economic recovery from the COVID pandemic in 2022 was substantially better than the EU average. Although modest, economic growth continued in 2023 while inflation continued decreasing to 5%.In 2024 the annual inflation continued a downward trend ending at 2.3% and accompanied by a small economic growth.In 2025, the economy is expected to continue growing at  1.9 annually, while inflation is forecast at 2.1% for the fiscal year. These moderately optimistic indicators are supported by increased private consumption, investment, employment growth and unemployment easing.
Agriculture in Portugal is based on small to medium-sized family-owned dispersed units. However, the sector also includes larger scaleintensive farming, export-orientedagrobusinesses. The country produces a variety of crops and livestock products, including: tomatoes,citrus,green vegetables,rice,wheat,barley,maize,olives,oilseeds,nuts,cherries,bilberry,table grapes,edible mushrooms,dairy products,poultryandbeef. According toFAO, Portugal is the top producer ofcorkandcarobin the world, accounting for about 50% and 30% of world production, respectively.It is the third largest exporter ofchestnutsand third largest European producer ofpulp.Portugal is among the world's top ten largestolive oilproducers and fourth largest exporter.The country is one of the world's largest exporters ofwine, reputed for its fine wines.Forestryhas played an important economic role among the rural communities and industry. In 2001, the gross agricultural product accounted for 4% of the economy; in 2022 it was 2%.
Travel andtourismis an important part of Portugal's economy. As of 2023, nearly half of real GDP growth was due to the tourism sector, with tourism accounting for 16.5% of GDP.It has been necessary for the country to focus upon its niche attractions, such as health, nature and rural tourism, to stay ahead of its competitors.
Portugal is among the top 20 most-visited countries in the world, receiving more than 26,5 million foreign tourists by 2023.In 2014, Portugal was electedThe Best European CountrybyUSA Today.In 2017, Portugal was elected bothEurope's Leading Destinationand in 2018 and 2019,World's Leading Destination
Tourist hotspots in Portugal are:Lisbon,Cascais,Algarve,Madeira,Nazaré,Fátima,Óbidos,Porto,Braga,GuimarãesandCoimbra. Lisbon attracts the sixteenth-most tourists among European cities(with seven million tourists occupying the city's hotels in 2006).
Scientific and technological research activities are mainly conducted within a network ofR&Dunits belonging topublic universitiesand state-managed autonomous research institutions like theINETI – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia, Tecnologia e Inovaçãoand theINRB – Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos. Funding and management of this system is conducted under the authority of theMinistry of Science, Technology and Higher Educationand theFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia(Foundation for Science and Technology). The largest R&D units of the public universities by volume of research grants and peer-reviewed publications, includebiosciencesresearch institutions.
Among the largest non-state-run research institutions are theInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciênciaand theChampalimaud Foundation, a neuroscience and oncology research centre. National and multinational high-tech and industrial companies, are responsible for research and development projects. One of the oldest learned societies of Portugal is theSciences Academy of Lisbon, founded in 1779.
Iberianbilateral state-supported research efforts include theInternational Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratoryand theIbercivisdistributed computingplatform. Portugal is a member of pan-European scientific organizations. These include theEuropean Space Agency(ESA), theEuropean Laboratory for Particle Physics(CERN),ITER, and theEuropean Southern Observatory(ESO). Portugal has the largestaquariumin Europe, theLisbon Oceanarium, and have other notable organizations focused on science-related exhibits and divulgation, like the state agencyCiência Viva,theScience Museum of the University of Coimbra, theNational Museum of Natural Historyat the University of Lisbon, and theVisionarium. TheEuropean Innovation Scoreboard2011, placed Portugal-based innovation 15th, with increase in innovation expenditure and output.Portugal was ranked 31st in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024.
Portugal has a 68,732 km (42,708 mi) road network, of which almost 3,000 km (1,864 mi) are part of system of 44 motorways. On many highways, a toll needs to be paid (seeVia Verde).Vasco da Gama bridgeis the longest bridge in theEU(the second longest in Europe) at 12.345 km (7.671 mi).
Continental Portugal's 89,015 km(34,369 sq mi) territory is serviced by four international airports located near the principal cities ofLisbon,Porto,FaroandBeja. Lisbon's geographical position makes it a stopover for many foreign airlines at several airports within the country. The primaryflag-carrierisTAP Air Portugal, although many other domestic airlines provide services within and without the country.
The most important airports are inLisbon,Porto,Faro,Funchal(Madeira), andPonta Delgada(Azores), managed by the national airport authority groupANA – Aeroportos de Portugal. Anew airport, to replace the current Lisbon airport, has been planned for more than 50 years, but it has been always postponed by a series of reasons.
A national railway system that extends throughout the country and into Spain, is supported and administered byComboios de Portugal(CP).Rail transportof passengers and goods is derived using the 2,791 km (1,734 mi) of railway lines currently in service, of which 1,430 km (889 mi) are electrified and about 900 km (559 mi) allow train speeds greater than 120 km/h (75 mph). The railway network is managed byInfraestruturas de Portugalwhile the transport of passengers and goods are the responsibility of CP, both public companies. In 2006, the CP carried 133,000,000 passengers and 9,750,000tonnes(9,600,000long tons; 10,700,000short tons) of goods.
The major seaports are located inSines,Leixões,Lisbon,Setúbal,Aveiro,Figueira da Foz, andFaro. The two largest metropolitan areas have subway systems:Lisbon MetroandMetro Sul do Tejolight rail system in theLisbon metropolitan area, andPorto Metrolight metrosystem in thePorto Metropolitan Area, each with more than 35 km (22 mi) of lines.Coimbrais currently developing aBus rapid transitsystem,Metro Mondego, as is theAlgarve,Algarve Metrobus.
In Portugal,Lisbon tram serviceshave been supplied by theCompanhia de Carris de Ferro de Lisboa(Carris), for over a century. InPorto,a tram network, of which only a tourist line on the shores of theDouroremains, began construction on 12 September 1895 (a first for theIberian Peninsula). All major cities and towns have their own local urban transport network, as well as taxi services.
Portugal has considerable resources of wind and hydropower. In 2006, the world's then largestsolar powerplant, theMoura Photovoltaic Power Station, began operating, while the world's first commercialwave powerfarm, theAguçadoura Wave Farm, opened in theNorte region(2008). By 2006, 66% of the country's electrical production was from coal and fuel power plants, while 29% were derived fromhydroelectricdams, and 6% bywind energy.In 2008, renewable energy resources were producing 43% of the nation's electricity, even as hydroelectric production decreased with severe droughts.As of 2010, electricity exports had outnumbered imports and 70% of energy came from renewable sources.
Portugal's national energy transmission company,Redes Energéticas Nacionais(REN), uses modelling to predict weather, especially wind patterns. Before the solar/wind revolution, Portugal had generated electricity from hydropower plants on its rivers for decades. New programmes combine wind and water: wind-driven turbines pump water uphill at night; then water flows downhill by day, generating electricity, when consumer demand is highest. Portugal's distribution system is now two-way. It draws electricity small generators, like rooftop solar panels.
Statistics Portugal (Portuguese:INE –Instituto Nacional de Estatística) estimates that, by 31 December 2023, the population was 10,639,726, of which 52.2% was female and 47.8% male.In 2024 the median life expectancy was 82.8 yearsand United Nations projections point to 90 or above, by 2100.The population has been relatively homogeneous for most of its history, with a single religion (Catholic church) and language.
Despite good economic development, the Portuguese have been the shortest in Europe since around 1890. This emerging height gap started in the 1840s and increased. A driving factor was modest real wage growth, given late industrialization and economic growth compared to the European core. Another determinant was delayedhuman capitalformation.
Portugal has to deal with low fertility levels: the country has experienced asub-replacement fertility ratesince the 1980s.The total fertility rate (TFR) as of 2024was estimated at 1.36 children born/woman, one of the lowest in the world, similarly to countries such as Japan, South Korea, Italy, all well below the replacement rate of 2.1,and considerably below the high of 5 children born per woman in 1911.In 2016, 53% of births were to unmarried women.Portugal's population has been steadily ageing and was the 11th oldest in the world, with a median age of 46 years in 2023. In the same year, it had the world's 4th highest number of citizens over 65 years, at 21.8% of the whole population.
The structure of Portuguese society shows social inequality, which in 2019 placed the country 24th in theSocial Justice Index, in the EU.In 2018, Portugal's parliament approved a budget plan for 2019 that included tax breaks for returning emigrants in a bid to attract back those who left during thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008.According to projections by the national statistics office, Portugal's population will fall to 7.7 million by 2080 from 10.6 million and the population will continue to age.
According to a National Statistics Institute (INE) study, conducted shortly after the 2021 census, between 2022 and 2023, 6,4 million people aged between 18 and 74 years old identified themselves as White (84%), more than 262,000 identify as Mixed-race (3%), nearly 170,000 as Black (2%), 57,000 as Asian (<1%), and 47,500 asRomani(<1%)
Based on commuting patterns, OECD and Eurostat define eightmetropolitan areas of Portugal.Only two have populations over 1 million, and since the 2013 local government reform, these are the only two which also have administrative legal status of metropolitan areas:LisbonandPorto,Several smaller metropolitan areas (Algarve,Aveiro,Coimbra,MinhoandViseu)also held this status from 2003 to 2008, when they were converted intointermunicipal communities, whose territories are roughly based on theNUTS IIIstatistical regions.
In 2023 Portugal had 10,639,726 inhabitants, of whom 1,044,606 accounted for legal resident foreignersResident foreigners make up approximately 10% of the population. These figures do not include Portuguese citizens of foreign descent, as in Portugal it is illegal to collect data based on ethnicity. For instance, more than 340,000 resident foreigners who acquiredPortuguese citizenshipbetween 2008 and 2022 - and thus constitute around 3.27% of the country's population in 2022 - were not taken into account in immigration figures as they became official Portuguese citizens.In 2022 alone, almost 21,000 foreign residents acquiredPortuguese citizenship, of which 11,170 were female and 9,674 were male.
Portugal, for long a country of emigration (the vast majority ofBrazilianshave Portuguese ancestry),became a country of net immigration.The influx of immigrants didn't come just from the lastIndian(Portuguese until 1961),African(Portuguese until 1975), andFar East Asian(Portuguese until 1999) overseas territories, but from other parts of the world as well. Even though in the aftermath of theCOVID-19 Pandemic, Portugal's emigration rate increased to 6.9‰ in 2022, it was still well below the immigration rate of around 11.3‰.It is also noteworthy that the overwhelming majority of Portuguese emigrants tend to leave the country for short periods, with 56.8% of those having left the country in 2022 doing so for less than a year.
Since the 1990s, along with a boom inconstruction, several new waves ofUkrainian,Brazilian,Afro-Portugueseand otherAfricanshave settled in the country.Romanians,Moldovans,Kosovo Albanians,Russians,Bulgarians, andChinesehave also migrated to the country. The numbers ofVenezuelan,Pakistani,Indian, andBangladeshimigrants are also significant. Moreover, Portugal'sRomani populationis estimated at 50,000.
It is estimated that over 30,000 seasonal, oftenillegal immigrantswork inagriculture, mainly southern cities such asOdemirawhere they are often exploited by organised seasonal workers' networks. These migrants, who frequently arrive without due documentation or work contracts, make up over 90% of agricultural workers in the south of Portugal. Most are Southeast Asians from India,Bangladesh,Nepal, Pakistan andThailand. In the interior of theAlentejothere are many African workers. Significant numbers also come from Eastern Europe, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania and Brazil.
In addition, a significant number ofEU citizens, mostly fromItaly,France,Germanyor other northern European countries, have become permanent residents in the country.There is also a large expatriate community made up ofBritons,Canadiansandpeople from the United States of America. The British community is mostly composed of retiredpensionerswho live in theAlgarveandMadeira.
A National Statistics Institute (INE) study, conducted between 2022 and 2023, found out that 1.4 million people, (13% of the population) have immigrant background, in which 947,500 are first generation immigrants, concentrated mainly in theLisbon metropolitan areaand theAlgarve.It is noteworthy that the survey was only carried out amongst people living legally in the country for at least one year at the time of the interview and that in 2022 the statistical office figures suggested that 16.1% of the country's population or 1,683,829 people were first generation immigrants.
Roman Catholicism, which has a long history in Portugal, remains the dominant religion. Portugal has no official religion, though in the past, theCatholic Church in Portugalwas thestate religion.
According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the Portuguese population wasRoman Catholic Christian.The country has small Protestant,Latter-day Saint,Muslim,Hindu,Sikh,Eastern Orthodox Church,Jehovah's Witnesses,Baháʼí,Buddhist,JewishandSpiritistcommunities. Influences fromAfrican Traditional Religionand Chinese Traditional Religion are also felt among many people, particularly in fields related with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional African Herbal Medicine. Some 14.1% of the population declared themselves to be non-religious.
Portugal is asecular state:church and state were formally separatedduring the First Portuguese Republic, and this was reiterated in the 1976Portuguese Constitution. Other than the Constitution, the two most important documents relating toreligious freedomin Portugal are the 1940 Concordata (later amended in 1971) between Portugal and theHoly Seeand the 2001 Religious Freedom Act. Many Portuguese holidays, festivals and traditions have a Christian origin or connotation.
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal.Mirandeseis also recognised as a co-official regional language in some municipalities of North-Eastern Portugal. It is part of theAstur-Leonesegroup of languages.An estimate of between 6,000 and 7,000 Mirandese speakers has been documented for Portugal.Furthermore, a particular dialect known asBarranquenho, spoken inBarrancos, is also officially recognised and protected in Portugal since 2021.Minderico, asociolectof the Portuguese language, is spoken by around 500 people in the town ofMinde.
According to theInternational English Proficiency Index, Portugal has a high proficiency level in English, higher than those of other Romance-speaking European countries like Spain, Italy or France.
The educational system is divided into preschool (for those under age six), basic education (nine years, in three stages, compulsory), secondary education (three years, compulsory since 2010), and higher education (subdivided in university andpolytechniceducation). Universities are usually organised intofaculties. Institutes and schools are also common designations for autonomous subdivisions ofPortuguese higher education institutions.
The total adult literacy rate in Portugal was 99.8% in 2021.According to theProgramme for International Student Assessment(PISA) 2018, Portugal scored around theOECDaverage in reading, mathematics and science.In reading and mathematics, mean performance in 2018 was close to the level observed in 2009 to 2015; in science, mean performance in 2018 was below that of 2015, and returned close to the level observed in 2009 and 2012, near below average.
About 47.6% of college-age citizens (20 years old) attend one of Portugal's higher education institutions(compared with 50% in the United States and 35% in the OECD on average). In addition to being a destination forinternational students, Portugal is also among the top places of origin for international students. All higher education students, both domestic and international, totalled 380,937 in 2005.
Portuguese universities have existed since 1290. Theoldest Portuguese universitywas first established in Lisbon before moving toCoimbra. Historically, within the scope of the Portuguese Empire, the Portuguese founded the oldest engineering school of theAmericas(theReal Academia de Artilharia, Fortificação e DesenhoofRio de Janeiro) in 1792, as well as the oldest medical college in Asia (theEscola Médico-CirúrgicaofGoa) in 1842. Presently, the largest university in Portugal is theUniversity of Lisbon.
TheBologna processhas been adopted by Portuguese universities and poly-technical institutes in 2006. Higher education in state-run educational establishments is provided on a competitive basis, a system ofnumerus claususis enforced through a national database on student admissions. However, every higher education institution offers also a number of additional vacant places through other extraordinary admission processes for sportsmen, mature applicants (over 23 years old),international students, foreign students from theLusosphere, degree owners from other institutions, students from other institutions (academic transfer), former students (readmission), and course change, which are subject to specific standards and regulations set by each institution or course department.
Most student costs are supported with public money. Portugal has entered intocooperation agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other US institutionsto further develop and increase the effectiveness of Portuguese higher education and research.
In 2025, Portugal ranked as 23rd best healthcare system in the world,which was visibly lower than the previous12th place in the 2000 World Health Organisation ranking of best public health systems in the world. The health system is characterised by three coexisting systems: the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS), special social health insurance schemes for certain professions (health subsystems) and voluntary private health insurance. The SNS provides universal coverage. In addition, about 55% of the population is covered by the health subsystems,43% by private insurance schemes and another 12% by mutual funds.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for developing health policy as well as managing the SNS. Five regional health administrations are in charge of implementing the national health policy objectives, developing guidelines and protocols and supervising health care delivery. Decentralisation efforts have aimed at shifting financial and management responsibility to the regional level. In practice, the autonomy of regional health administrations over budget setting and spending has been limited to primary care. The SNS is predominantly funded through general taxation. Employer (including the state) and employee contributions represent the main funding sources of the health subsystems. In addition, direct payments by the patient and voluntary health insurance premiums account for a large proportion of funding.
Similarly to other 'Eur-A countries', (Western Europe), most Portuguese die fromnoncommunicable diseases.Mortality fromcardiovascular diseases(CVD) is around 30,000 deaths per year, a third of all annual deaths,but its two main components, ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, display inverse trends compared with the Eur-A, withcerebrovascular diseasebeing the single biggest killer in Portugal, with more than 11,000 deaths per year.Oncological diseases represent 22% of all deaths in the country,with lung and breast cancer cases being lower, and cervical and prostate cancer being more frequent. Diabetes mortality rates have been decreasing, from 4.5% in 2010 down to 2.8% in 2021.
Portugal'sinfant mortality rate(IMR) stood at 2,25 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2024.A Eurostat opinion-poll in 2023 found that 55.4% of adults rated their health as good or very good, the third lowest rate collected in theEuropean Union.The largest university hospital in the country isHospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon.
Portugal has developed a specific culture while being influenced by various civilisations that have crossed the European continent and Mediterranean, or were introduced when it played an active role during theAge of Discovery. In the 1990s and 2000s (decade), Portugal modernised its public cultural facilities, in addition to theCalouste Gulbenkian Foundationestablished in 1956 in Lisbon.
These include theBelém Cultural Centrein Lisbon,Serralves Foundationand theCasa da Música, both inPorto, as well as new public cultural facilities like municipal libraries and concert halls that were built or renovated in many municipalities across the country. Portugal is home to17UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites, ranking it9th in Europe and 18th in the world.
Traditional architecture is distinctive and include theManueline, also known as Portuguese lateGothica sumptuous, composite Portuguese style of architectural ornamentation of the first decades of the 16th century, followed byPombaline styleof the 18th century.
A 20th-century interpretation of traditional architecture,Soft Portuguese style, appears extensively in major cities, especially Lisbon. Modern Portugal has given the world renowned architects likeEduardo Souto de Moura,Álvaro Siza Vieira(bothPritzker Prizewinners) andGonçalo Byrne. In PortugalTomás Taveirais also noteworthy, particularly for stadium design.Theazulejois a mainstream, typical element among Portugal's traditional building materials and construction techniques.
Portuguese cuisine is diverse, part of theAtlantic diet. A significant ingredient in the Portuguese diet is drycod(bacalhauin Portuguese). They say that the Portuguese have mastered 365 different ways to prepare codfish, meaning a cod dish for each day of the year, to name a fewrecipes:bacalhau à Brás,bacalhau à Gomes de Sá,bacalhau com natas, bacalhau à Minhota, bacalhau espiritual, bacalhau à Lagareiro, bacalhau assado,bacalhau à Zé do Pipo,pastéis de bacalhau. Other fish recipes include grilledsardines,mackerel,sea bream, andcaldeirada, a tomato-basedstewthat can be made from several types of fish or shellfish, with a mix of onion, garlic, bay leaf, potatoes, peppers, parsley.
Typical Portuguese meat recipes made out of the customary beef, pork, chicken, goat, lamb or duck meat, includecozido à portuguesa,feijoada,frango de churrasco,leitão(roastsuckling pig),chanfanaandcarne de porco à alentejana. Typical fast food dishes include theFrancesinha(Frenchie) from Porto andbifanas(grilled pork) orprego(grilled beef)sandwiches.An egg custard tart pastry, thepastel de nata, typical and popular among the Portuguese, became popular abroad and among foreign tourists visiting the country as well.
Portuguese wines have enjoyed recognition since the Romans, who associated Portugal with their godBacchus, due to its climate. Some of the best Portuguese wines areVinho Verde,Alvarinho,Vinho do Douro,Vinho do Alentejo,Vinho do Dão,Vinho da Bairradaand the sweetPort Wine,Madeira Wine, and theMoscatelfromSetúbalandFavaios.
Portugal has arich history in painting. The first well-known painters dating back to the 15th century – likeNuno GonçalvesandVasco Fernandes– were part of the late Gothic painting period.During the Renaissance, Portuguese painting was highly influenced by Northern European painting.In the Baroque periodJosefa de ÓbidosandVieira Lusitanowere the most prolific painters.José Malhoa, known for his workFado, andColumbano Bordalo Pinheiro(who painted the portraits ofTeófilo BragaandAntero de Quental) were both references innaturalist painting.
The 20th century saw the arrival ofModernism, and along with it came the most prominent Portuguese painters:Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, who was heavily influenced by French painters, particularly the Delaunays (RobertandSonia).Among his best-known works isCanção Popular – a Russa e o Fígaro. Other great modernist painters/writers includeCarlos BotelhoandAlmada Negreiros, friend to the poetFernando Pessoa, who painted Pessoa's portrait. He was deeply influenced by bothCubistandFuturisttrends.
Prominent international figures in visual arts today include paintersVieira da Silva,Júlio Pomar,Joana Vasconcelos,Julião SarmentoandPaula Rego.
Portuguese literature, one of the earliest Western literatures, developed through text as well as song. Until 1350, thePortuguese-Galiciantroubadoursspread their literary influence to most of the Iberian Peninsula,like KingD. Dinis(1261–1325) who became famous for his poetry. Other kings would write and sponsor works of literature across Portuguese history, likeD. Fernando(1367–1383) who supported Pêro Menino in writing oLivro da Falcoaria
Adventurer and poetLuís de Camões(c. 1524–1580) wrote the epic poemOs Lusíadas(The Lusiads), withVirgil'sAeneidas his main influence.Modern Portuguese poetry is rooted in neoclassic and contemporary styles, as exemplified byBocage(1765–1805),Antero de Quental(1842–1891) andFernando Pessoa(1888–1935). Modern Portuguese literature is represented by authors such asAlmeida Garrett,Camilo Castelo Branco,Eça de Queirós,Fernando Pessoa,Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen,António Lobo Antunes,Miguel TorgaandAgustina Bessa-Luís. Particularly popular and distinguished isJosé Saramago, recipient of the 1998Nobel Prize in Literature.
The Music of Portugal encompasses a wide variety of genres. The traditional one is the Portuguese folk music which has deep roots in local customs, utilising instruments such asbagpipes(gaita),drums, flutes, tambourines, accordions and ukuleles (cavaquinho).Within Portuguese folk music is the renowned genre ofFado, a melancholic urban music originated inLisbonin the 19th century, probably inside bohemian environments, usually associated with thePortuguese guitarandsaudade, or longing.Coimbra fado, a unique type of "troubadourserenading" fado, is also noteworthy. Internationally notable performers includeAmália Rodrigues,Carlos Paredes,José Afonso,Mariza,Carlos do Carmo,António Chainho,Mísia,Dulce PontesandMadredeus.
In addition toFolk, Fado and Classical music, other genres are present at Portugal like pop and other types of modern music, particularly from North America and the United Kingdom, as well as a wide range of Portuguese, Caribbean, Lusophone African and Brazilianartists and bands. Artists with international recognition includeDulce Pontes,Moonspell,Buraka Som Sistema,Blasted Mechanism,David CarreiraandThe Gift,with the three latter being nominees for aMTV Europe Music Award.
Portugal has several summer music festivals, such asFestival SudoesteinZambujeira do Mar,Festival de Paredes de CourainParedes de Coura,Festival Vilar de MourosnearCaminha,Boom FestivalinIdanha-a-Nova municipality,NOS Alive,Sumol Summer FestinEriceira,Rock in Rio LisboaandSuper Bock Super RockinGreater Lisbon, plusPrimavera Sound PortoandMEO Marés Vivasin theGreater Porto area.
The student festivals ofQueima das Fitas,which are major events in a number of cities across Portugal, show every year a selection of well-established, high-profile musicians and bands to the public as well as newer, on the rise, upcoming success artists seeking definite recognition.In 2005, Portugal held theMTV Europe Music Awards, inPavilhão Atlântico,Lisbon.Furthermore, Portugal won theEurovision Song Contest 2017inKyivwith the song "Amar pelos dois" presented bySalvador Sobral, and subsequently hosted the2018 contest.
Portuguese classical music constitutes an important chapter of Western music.Over the centuries, names of composers and performers have stood out, such as the troubadoursMartim CodaxandKing Denis I,the polyphonistsDuarte Lobo,Filipe de Magalhães,Manuel CardosoandPedro de Cristo, the organistManuel Rodrigues Coelho, the composer and harpsichordistCarlos Seixas,the singerLuísa Todi,symphonist and pianistJoão Domingos Bomtempoor composer and musicologistFernando Lopes Graça.The golden period of Portuguese music coincided, arguably, with the heyday of classical polyphony in the 17th century (Escola deÉvora,Santa Cruz de Coimbra). Among the great current references, the names of pianistsArtur Pizarro,Maria João PiresandSequeira Costa,violinistCarlos Damas,composerEmmanuel Nunes,composer and conductorÁlvaro Cassutostand out. The most important symphony orchestras are theFundação Gulbenkian,the Porto National Orchestra and the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra.When it comes to opera, the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon is the most representative.
Footballis the most popular sport in Portugal. There are several football competitions ranging from local amateur to world-class professional level. All-time greatsEusébio,FigoandCristiano Ronaldoare major symbols ofPortuguese footballhistory.Portuguese football managers are also noteworthy, withJosé MourinhoandAbel Ferreiraamong the most renowned.
ThePortugal national football teamhas won oneUEFA European Championshiptitle: theUEFA Euro 2016, with a 1–0 victory in thefinaloverFrance, the tournament hosts. In addition, Portugal finished first in the2018–19 UEFA Nations League, second in theEuro 2004, third in the1966 FIFA World Cupand fourth in the2006 FIFA World Cup. At youth level, Portugal have won twoFIFA World Youth Championships.
S.L. Benfica,Sporting CPandFC Portoare the largestsports clubsby popularity and number of trophies, often known as "os três grandes" ("the big three"). They have won eight titles in the EuropeanUEFAclub competitions and present in 21 finals. ThePortuguese Football Federation(FPF) –Federação Portuguesa de Futebol– annually hosts theAlgarve Cup, awomen's footballtournament.
Other than football, many Portuguese sports clubs, including the "big three", compete in other sports events with a varying level of success and popularity, these includeroller hockey,basketball,futsal,handball,volleyballandathletics. ThePortuguese national rugby union teamqualified for the2027 Rugby World Cupand thePortuguese national rugby sevens teamhas played in theWorld Rugby Sevens Series.
Road cycling, withVolta a Portugalthe most important race, is a popular sports event and includes professional cycling teams such asSporting CP,Boavista,Clube de Ciclismo de TaviraandUnião Ciclista da Maia. In motorsport, Portugal is noted for theRally of Portugal, and theEstorilandAlgarve Circuitsas well as the revivedPorto Street Circuitwhich holds a stage of the WTCC every two years, as well as for a number of internationally noted racers such asMiguel Oliveira,Tiago Monteiro,António Félix da Costa,Filipe Albuquerque,Pedro Lamy,Armindo Araújoand others in a range of variedmotorsports.
In water, Portugal has three major sports:swimming,water poloandsurfing. Portugal had success incanoeingwith several world and European champions, such as olympic medalistFernando Pimenta. Annually, the country hosts one of the stages of theWorld Surf Leaguemen's and women'sChampionship Tour, theMEO Rip Curl Pro Portugalat theSupertubosinPeniche. Northern Portugal has its own originalmartial art,Jogo do Pau, in which fighters use staffs to confront one or several opponents. Other popular sport-related recreational outdoor activities includeairsoft, fishing,golf, hiking, hunting andorienteering. Portugal is one of the world's leadinggolfdestinations.
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