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Hey aspirant, welcome back to our captivating “Know your Country” series. This time, we invite you to join on an exploration of the remarkable country that is Portugal. Portugal is a stunning country in Southern Europe, known for its rich beautiful landscapes, and delicious cuisine.

Portugal is known as The Portuguese Republic. Portugal is a country located on the Iberian Peninsula, in Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Macaronesian archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira. Before looking at different aspects, one must know the country symbols of the particular country. The country symbols of Portugal are:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:300px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Portugal</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Official Name 
			</td>
			<td>
			The Portuguese Republic
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Capital
			</td>
			<td>
			Lisbon
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Continent
			</td>
			<td>
			 Europe
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			President
			</td>
			<td>
			Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Prime Minister
			</td>
			<td>
			António Costa
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Currency
			</td>
			<td>
			The Euro
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Language
			</td>
			<td>
			Portuguese
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Religion
			</td>
			<td>
			Catholic
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Flag
			</td>
			<td>
			<img loading="lazy" alt="National Flag of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/National Flag of Portugal.webp" style="height:131px; width:200px">
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Anthem
			</td>
			<td>
			A Portuguesa
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Game
			</td>
			<td>
			Football
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Bird
			</td>
			<td>
			Barcelos Rooster
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Tree
			</td>
			<td>
			The Cork Oak
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Flower
			</td>
			<td>
			Lavender
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Animal
			</td>
			<td>
			 Iberian wolf
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

 

<img loading="lazy" alt="Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Portugal.webp" style="height:266px; width:400px">

[Source: T24HS]

So now, let’s move on the first aspect of the blog i.e. History of Portugal.

<h2 id="content-id-39946-0">History of Portugal</h2>

The history of Portugal can be traced from circa 400,000 years ago, when the region of present-day Portugal was inhabited by Homo heidelbergensis. Portugal was the first of the Atlantic empires, with territory in the Azores, Madeira, West Africa and Brazil, and it remained a major empire until the 1820s, retaining an African empire until the 1970s. It's empire in Asia - in Malacca, Macao, Goa and Timor - continued even longer, until the 1990s. By the 16th century, the two million people who lived in the original Portuguese lands ruled a vast empire with many millions of inhabitants in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. From 1514, the Portuguese had reached China and Japan.

<h3>Ancient and Medieval Period:</h3>

Portugal is the oldest nation-state in Europe. Founded in 1143, its current borders were established in mid-13th century, making them some of the most ancient in Europe and the world. Rome installed a colonial regime. During this period, Lusitania grew in prosperity and many of modern-day Portugal's cities and towns were founded. The complete Romanization of Portugal, intensified during the rule of Augustus, took three centuries and was stronger in Southern Portugal, most of which were administrative dependencies of the Roman city of Pax Julia, currently known as Beja. 

<img loading="lazy" alt="History of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/History of Portugal.webp" style="height:229px; width:400px">

[Source: World History Encyclopedia] 

Numerous Roman sites are scattered around present-day Portugal, some urban remains are quite large, like Conimbriga and Mirobriga. Several works of engineering, such as baths, temples, bridges, roads, circus, theatres and layman's homes are preserved throughout the country. Coins, some of which coined in Portuguese land, sarcophagus and ceramics are numerous. 

<h3>Independence and Beyond:</h3>

While the Spanish were caught off guard, they fought a war with Portugal to prevent them from breaking away but were unsuccessful. Portugal became a sovereign nation again in 1668 and began to rebuild its wealth by trading cash crops from its overseas colonies such as sugar and tobacco. Neighbouring Portugal acquired independence in 1668 after revolt and war protracted by the stubborn determination of Philip IV to maintain his patrimony. This small country had suffered since 1580 from its Spanish connection.

Before going further we will get discuss about the events of the country:

<h2 id="content-id-39946-1">Here is the timeline of some key events in Portugal </h2>

<ul>
	<li>1908 - King Carlos and eldest son assassinated in Lisbon.</li>
	<li>1910 - King Manuel II abdicates amid revolution; Portugal proclaimed a republic.</li>
	<li>1911 - New constitution separates church from state.</li>
	<li>1916-Portugal fights World War One on Allied side.</li>
	<li>1949 - Portugal becomes founding member of Nato.</li>
	<li>1955 - Portugal joins United Nations.</li>
	<li>1982 - Military Council of the Revolution abolished, civilian government formally restored.</li>
	<li>1986 - Portugal becomes member of EEC.</li>
</ul>

The timeline showcases Portugal as a rich and diverse history in a simple way. Let’s move on to the next aspect of this blog i.e. Geographical Aspects.

<h2 id="content-id-39946-2">Geographical Aspects of Portugal</h2>

The northern part of the country is mountainous. Its climate is relatively cool and rainy. In the south there are low, rolling plains. The climate is drier and warmer, particularly in the interior. The Portuguese territory also includes a series of archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean, which are strategic islands along the North Atlantic. The extreme south is not too far from the Strait of Gibraltar, leading to the Mediterranean Sea. In total, the country occupies an area of 92,090 square kilometers of which 91,470 square kilometers is land and 620 square kilometers water.

<h3><img loading="lazy" alt="Geographical aspects of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Geographical aspects of Portugal.webp" style="height:277px; width:400px"></h3>

[Source: Portugal live]

<h3>Demographical Aspects:</h3>

Portugal is a fairly linguistically and religiously homogeneous country. Ethnically, the Portuguese people form a big majority of the total population in Portugal. The Portuguese people are mainly a combination of ancient paleolithic populations, and the proto-Celtic, Celtic and Iberian tribes, para-Celtic Lusitanians. Portugal population is equivalent to 0.13% of the total world population. Portugal ranks number 93 in the list of countries by population. The population density in Portugal is 112 per Km2. The median age in Portugal is 45.8 years.

<h3>Soil and Vegetation:</h3>

Portugal's vegetation is a mixture of Atlantic, or European, and Mediterranean species. Overall, the former accounts for some two-thirds of species, but the regional distribution is revealing. Portugal's soils are arid, acidic, and sandy, though in the north the soil often is rocky. Except for parts of northern Portugal that receive significant precipitation and along the country's primary rivers, which deposit fertile alluvium, the soils are not suitable for intensive agricultural production.

<h3>Climate and Weather:</h3>

Portugal is mainly characterized by a warm temperate, Mediterranean climate with a distinct wet season in winter. During winter, Portugal experiences a similar temperature pattern to the Spanish coastal towns, i.e. average daytime maxima of about 16°C. Weather in Portugal is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is cool and wet in the north and central regions, but moving south, it becomes drier and warmer. The interior of the country shares a border with Spain and offers more of a continental climate, with colder winters and hot, dry summers.

Now, let’s look at the Political aspects of Portugal.

<h2 id="content-id-39946-3">Political Aspects of Portugal</h2>

Politics in Portugal operates as a unitary multi-party semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Portugal is the head of government, and the President of Portugal is the non-executive head of state with several significant political powers they exercise often.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Political aspects of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Political aspects of Portugal.webp" style="height:286px; width:400px">

[Source: Xinhua]

<ul>
	<li>Legislature: Legislative power is exercised by the Assembly of the Republic, which is the parliament of Portugal, although the Government also has a more limited ability to legislate on some matters. Portugal is a semi-Presidential Republic and a parliamentary democracy.</li>
	<li>Judiciary: The judiciary of Portugal is a system of courts that together constitute one of the four organs of Sovereignty as defined by the Portuguese Constitution. The courts are independent from the other three Portuguese organs of Sovereignty.</li>
	<li>Executive: Executive power is exercised by the Government, whose leader is the Prime Minister. Legislative power is primarily vested in the Assembly of the Republic although the government is also able to legislate on certain matters.</li>
</ul>

Civil liberties are generally protected. Ongoing concerns include corruption, certain legal constraints on journalism, poor or abusive conditions for prisoners, and the effects of racial discrimination and xenophobia. Prosecutors have pursued corruption cases against top officials in recent years.

So now, let’s look at the Culture of Portugal.

<h2 id="content-id-39946-4">Culture of Portugal</h2>

Portugal's most famous handicrafts include unique forms of embroidery, lace, tapestry, weaving, jewelry, basketry and painted ceramics. Many of these are considered luxury items in Portugal, made of high-quality materials and executed by very talented and experienced artisans.

<h3>Language:</h3>

Portuguese is the sole official language of Portugal and Brazil, as well as former colonial territories such as Guinea-Bissau and Angola.

<h3>Cuisine:</h3>

Portugal is well known for its food and fine wine. From fresh anchovies to salted cod and grilled shrimp, the Atlantic Ocean is Portugal's greatest influence when it comes to the kitchen table. Meat dishes are also popular, including beef, pork, and goat, and commonly used in stews or marinated and then barbecued.

<h3>Festivals:</h3>

The Sudoeste Festival is the biggest summer festival in Portugal. It takes place in August in Zambujeira do Mar, a fishing town on the Alentejo coast famous for its beautiful beaches and mild temperatures.

<h3>Performing Art:</h3>

Manueline art, tiles and fado are unique expressions and genuine symbols of the Portuguese, but also a contribution to World Heritage. There are 26 such classifications by UNESCO in Portugal, including monuments, landscapes and intangible heritage.

<h3>Sporting Culture:</h3>

Portugal, including basketball, swimming, athletics, tennis, gymnastics, futsal, rink hockey, team handball, volleyball, surfing, canoeing and rugby union championships.

<h3>Art and Craft:</h3>

Portugal's most famous handicrafts include unique forms of embroidery, lace, tapestry, weaving, jewelry, basketry and painted ceramics. Many of these are considered luxury items in Portugal, made of high-quality materials and executed by very talented and experienced artisans.

<h3>Cultural values:</h3>

The Portuguese participate in many cultural activities, indulging their appreciation of art, music, drama, and dance. Portugal has a rich traditional folklore, with great regional variety.

<h3>Multiculturalism:</h3>

Portugal today is extremely multicultural with a rising number of immigrants moving here from all over the world each year, for various reasons, Portugal is a multicultural melting pot and one of the most tolerant countries in Europe.

<h3>Indigenous Heritage:</h3>

The Portuguese peoples heritage largely derives from the proto-Celtic/proto-Italic Indo-European and Celtic peoples, who were later Romanized after the conquest of the region by the ancient Romans.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Culture of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Culture of Portugal.webp" style="height:299px; width:400px">

[Source: World Atlas]

<h2 id="content-id-39946-5">Education of Portugal</h2>

In Portugal, Basic Education consists of nine years of schooling divided into three sequential cycles of education of four, two and three years. Children aged six by 15 September must be enrolled in their first school year in that calendar year. Higher education is excellent in Portugal, with many international students enrolling in university and polytechnic systems and programs in the country. 

All over the country, you will find universities with a reputation around the world. The QS World University Rankings 2021 placed seven Portuguese universities in the list of top universities in the world. As a Bologna Process participant, Portugal upholds the level of higher education in Europe. 

<h2 id="content-id-39946-6">Economy of Portugal</h2>

Economic growth has been slowing down in 2023 while the labor market has remained robust amid record high employment and activity rates. GDP growth is set to gradually recover over the forecast horizon and inflation is projected to moderate further, moving broadly in line with the euro-are average. Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, with food available at affordable prices, cheap options for accommodation, and reasonable costs for transport.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Economy of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Economy of Portugal.webp" style="height:278px; width:400px">

[Source: Wikipedia] 

Now, let’s check out some Interesting facts about Portugal.

<h2 id="content-id-39946-7">Interesting Facts about Portugal</h2>

Portugal holds the title of being home to the most westerly point in of mainland, continental Europe. Cabo de Roca, a cape in the town of Sintra (near Lisbon), is the most westerly point mainland Europe! Meanwhile, Capelinhos, a volcano in the Azores, is the westernmost place on the Eurasian Plate. According to the World Happiness Report, it is Finland that wins the title of happiest country in the world.

<ol>
	<li>Algarve: The Algarve is famous for its stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and vibrant tourism industry. With picturesque cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and a mild climate, it offers an ideal setting for relaxation and outdoor activities.</li>
	<li>Sintra: In the 19th century Sintra became the first center of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees.</li>
	<li>Maderia: Madeira is renowned for its landscapes, lore and its legendary wine, which graced the tables of America's Founding Fathers.</li>
</ol>

<img loading="lazy" alt="Interesting fact of Portugal" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Interesting fact of Portugal.webp" style="height:289px; width:400px">

[Source: Context Travel]

Portugal offers a mix of historical charm, beautiful cities, and stunning beaches, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Its home to ancient castles, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities, each with a unique character. Portugal is renowned for its Fado music, Port wine, and a cuisine that is a seafood lover's delight.

So, this is all for today. If you like this blog, do check out our blog on the country <a href="https://study.kdcampus.live/pdf/know-your-country-interesting-facts-about-jordan-geography-polity-national-flag.pdf">Jordan</a>. We will meet again with some another interesting facts about some other countries. Till then stay tuned!

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Explore fascinating insights into Portugal history, geography, polity, economy, etc. Discover the diverse facets of this remarkable nation in a concise overview.

Here is the timeline of some key events in Portugal 

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