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PortugalPortugal is the westernmost country of continental Europe. It lies on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain-- Portugal's neighbour to the east and north--covers most of the peninsula. Western and southern Portugal face the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is the country's capital and largest city...More Information on Portugal. Also Read: Special Feature on background on Portugal Full country name: Portugal History of PortugalThe Iberian Peninsula has been occupied for around 500,000 years. Paleolithic art dating back 22,000 years has been discovered on rocks in the Vale do Côa. About 5500 BC Neolithic fortified hilltop villages appeared in the lower Tagus valley. Portugal's history goes back to the Celts, who settled the Iberian Peninsula around 700 BC. The region soon attracted a succession of peoples and was colonised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. In the 8th century, the Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and commenced a long occupation that introduced their culture, architecture and agricultural techniques to Portugal. But resistance to the Moors grew and they were finally ejected during the 13th century. In the 15th century, Portugal entered a phase of overseas expansion due to the efforts of Prince Henry the Navigator. Mariners set off to discover new trade routes and helped create an enormous empire that, at its peak, extended to India, the Far East, Brazil and Africa. This period marked the apogee of Portuguese power and wealth, but it faded towards the end of the 16th century when Spain's Felipe II claimed the throne. Although Spanish rule lasted only a few decades, the momentum of the empire declined over the following centuries...more on History of Portugal Overview of Portugal EconomyGDP: US$227.7 billion Also Ready: Special Feature on Economy of Portugal Political System of Portugal- Defense and Military of Portugal Climate, Vegetation and FaunaIn 1990 wheat was the leading Portuguese grain crop, followed by corn, which was grown mainly on the small farms of the north. Rice, although occupying less than one-tenth of the area of either wheat or corn, was a remarkable grain crop. Potatoes and corn silage were found throughout the north. Portugal's leading edible tree crop was olive oil. In spite of the importance of olive oil for the economy and the increasing production of other edible oilseeds, such as safflower and sunflower, Portugal was a net importer of vegetable fats and oils. The nation produced a mixture of horticultural crops, some of which were exported. As an example, Portugal was a leading world exporter of tomato paste. Although grazing land was scarce, farm animal constituted a remarkable share of total agricultural production. Because of growing domestic demand for animal products and low farm animal productivity, Portugal had to import about 10 % of its meat requirements. Three-fourths of the mainland's milk was produced in the northwest's coastal areas. The mainland's farm animal numbers in 1987 included over 1.3 million head of cattle, over 5 million sheep, nearly 3 million pigs, and 745,000 goats. About 18 million chickens supplied the nation's poultry industry that year. Culture: As a result of change wrought by the Revolution of 1974, Portugal in the 1990s would be almost unrecognizable...more on culture of Portugal. Education: Even before Portugal emerged as an independent nation in the twelfth century, it had monastic, cathedral, and parish schools...more on education in Portugal Languages: Roman Catholicism is the faith of more than 94 % of the Portuguese people...more on Languages Spoken in Portugal Life: The patricentric and nuclear family traditionally served as the norm and the ideal in Portugal. Until the constitution of 1976...more on life and lifestyle of Portugal People Of Portugal: Although population estimates are available for earlier years, the first official Portuguese census was taken in 1864...more on People Of Portugal Environment: Portugal lies immediately west of Spain, and is buffeted along its southern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. To its west...more on Envoirnment of Protugal Facts for the TravelerVisas: None required for EU nationals. Nationals of Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the USA can stay for 90 days visa-free. Everyone else needs a visa. Being a member of the Schengen Agreement, business travellers from the Schengen group of nations can obtain a 90 day Schengen Visa when entering Portugal.
Health risks: sunburn (In the tropics, the desert or at high altitude you can get sunburned quickly and seriously, even through clouds. The southern reaches of the continent suffer from scathing ultraviolet, so be extra careful there. Use a strong sunscreen, hat and barrier cream for your nose and lips. Calamine lotion and aloe vera are good for mild sunburn. Protect your eyes with good-quality sunglasses, particularly if you will be near water, sand or snow) Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0 Dialling Code: 351 Electricity: 220V ,50Hz Weights & measures: Metric Also Read:Money and Cost Required | List of Public Holidays in Portugal When to Go to PortugalPeak tourist season is roughly from mid-June to September, except in the Algarve where it really only quiets down in the dead of winter. Carnaval and Easter are two holidays celebrated with gusto all over the country and are worth going out of your way for. Also Read: Getting Around Portugal | Portugal: Getting There and Away What to See in PortugalMajor Tourist Attractions in Portugal Other Tourist Attractions in Portugal
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