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General information


Population : 10.3 milion people (88th in the World, 15th in Europe)
Total Area : 91,568 km^2 (55th in the World, 19th in Europe)
Official languages : Potuguese
Official currency : Euro(EUR)
Capital : Lisbon
Population density : 115 people/km^2 (96th in the World,14th in Europe)
Top 5 biggest cities : Lisbon, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Amadora, Braga

Portugal has been a semi-presidential representative democratic republic since the ratification of the Constitution of 1976, with Lisbon, the nation's largest city, as its capital. The Constitution grants the division or separation of powers among four bodies referred as "organs of Sovereignty": the President of the Republic, the Government, the Assembly of the Republic and the Courts.

The President, who is elected to a five-year term, has an executive role: the current President is Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Assembly of the Republic is a single chamber parliament composed of 230 deputies elected for a four-year term. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister (currently António Costa) and includes Ministers and Secretaries of State. The Courts are organized into several levels, among the judicial, administrative and fiscal branches. The Supreme Courts are institutions of last resort/appeal. A thirteen-member Constitutional Court oversees the constitutionality of the laws.

Administratively, Portugal is divided into 308 municipalities, which after a reform in 2013 are subdivided into 3,092 civil parishes. Operationally, the municipality and civil parish, along with the national government, are the only legally identifiable local administrative units identified 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 Portugal is agglomerated into 18 districts, while the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are governed as autonomous regions; the largest units, established since 1976, are either mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of Portugal .








National sport : Football

Futsall



National animals : Wyvern(Legendary Creature)


National plants : Cork Oak (Quercus suber)


National instrument : Portuguese guitar







The significance of the 10th of June

The date commemorates the death of national literary icon Luís de Camões on [/b]10 June 1580[/b].Camões wrote Os Lusíadas (usually translated as The Lusiads), Portugal's national epic poem celebrating Portuguese history and achievements. The poem focuses mainly on the 15th-century Portuguese explorations, which brought fame and fortune to the country.

The poem, considered one of the finest and most important works in Portuguese literature, became a symbol for the great feats of the Portuguese Empire. Since his date of birth is unknown, his date of death is celebrated as Portugal's National Day.










The Golden Age of Exploration
For two centuries, Portugal lived in what was known as “the golden centuries of discoveries”. This was the apogee of Portugal as a country, and forever the benchmark of its culture. Throughout the 20th and now the 21st century, these years are mentioned ad nauseum as the seemingly lone landmarks of the Portuguese culture.

The age of discoveries, fueled by the rise of the “dynamic thinkers” of the new Portugal, started with the Kingdom of Dom Joao I (John I). On July 25, 1415, a Portuguese fleet with King Joao I and his sons Prince Duarte, Prince Henry “The Navigator”, and Prince Afonso, along with Supreme Constable Nuno Alvares Pereira, set out to conquer North Africa starting with the coastal towns of Ceuta and Tangier. These towns were bustling trading centers. On August 21st, Ceuta and Tangier were conquered by the Portuguese.

John I of Portugal:


In early 15th century, Henry the Navigator founded the famous sailing school in Sagres and from there launched several sea expeditions which culminated in the discovery of the Archipelagos of Madeira Island and the Azores islands. Along with the invention of the sextant and major innovations in boat and sail design, Henry the Navigator made Portugal’s empire expansion possible and led to great advances in geographic knowledge. The discoveries were financed by the wealth of the Order of Christ, founded by King Dom Dinis (D. Dennis) in the 13th century for the Templar knights, who found refuge in Portugal after being pursued all over Europe. The Templars had interest in financing such expeditions, as they were searching for the legendary Christian Kingdom of Prester John.

Henry the Navigator:


In 1434, Gil Eanes, an experienced sailor under Henry’s watch, was the first sailor to round Cabo Bojador (Cape Bojador), a headland on the northern coast of West Sahara at latitude 27° North. Gil Eanes made several trips up and down the coast of Africa, thus marking the beginning of the Portuguese exploration of Africa.

Gil Eanes’s route:


One of the most remarkable achievements of the Portuguese sailors, was the rounding of the Cabo da Boa Esperanca (Cape of Good Hope) by Bartolomeu Dias (Bartholomew Dias) in 1487. The cape was named because it was hoped that India and its coveted spices would be found soon, therefore circumventing the land routes.

Bartolomeu Dias and his route:



Other remarkable sailing feats in the 15th century include😛 Pero de Barcelos and Joao Fernandes Lavrador exploration of North America, Pero de Covilha reaching Ethiopia in search of the mythical kingdom of Prester John, and the arrival of Vasco da Gama, one of the most successful sailors in history, at India on May 20, 1498.

Vasco da Gama and his first voyage to India:



In 1500, Pedro Alvares Cabral landed in Brazil, and in 1510, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in India. Goa, Damaou and Diu remained Portuguese colonies until they were annexed by India in 1961.

In 1578, tragedy struck, and forever altered the history of Portugal. King Sebastiao (Sebastian), at the ripe age of 19, decided to augment the Portuguese empire in North Africa, against the advice of the nobles. King Sebastian himself led the forces and left on a foggy morning from Lisbon to never be seen again.

He left no heir to the throne, and because Philip II of Spain was the son of a Portuguese princess, the Spanish king became Philip I of Portugal in 1581. Portugal maintained its autonomy including law, currency, colonies and government under a personal treaty between the two countries. Portugal was further ruled by Philip III who tried to force integration, thus attacking and alienating the Portuguese nobles who were not in favor of the integration.

On December 1, 1640, Duque de Braganca (Duke of Braganca), a royal family descendent, led a revolution and, after several years, regained control of Portugal. The Duke of Braganca became Joao IV of Portugal (John IV).

Monument to the explorers:






Top 5 places visited by tourists


Porto




The Ribeira


Ponte Dom Luis




World famous for its production of fine port wine, the busy city of Porto sprawls along the hills overlooking the Douro River in northern Portugal. At the heart of Porto is the charming pedestrian zone, the Ribeira, an atmospheric place on the river, buzzing in live music, cafes, restaurants and street vendors. Dominating this popular tourist setting is the Ponte Dom Luis, a metal, double-deck arch bridge that links Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, well-known for its port wine cellars.



Lisboa


Tram 28








St. George’s Castle


Stretching along the banks of the Tagus River near the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s capital and largest city winds upward among seven steep hills, forming an enchanting destination of warm weather, alluring alleys, quaint shops, Gothic cathedrals, impressive bridges and colorful neighborhoods, reverberating in traditional fado music. The city’s oldest district is Alfama, an old Moorish quarter, distinct for its maze of cobblestone streets, rustic architecture and St. George’s Castle. The best way to experience Lisboa is by taking one of the vintage trams such as the well known Tram 28, which winds along historic quarters, gardens and main attractions.



Algarve










Sunny Mediterranean climate, gorgeous beaches, picturesque towns, historic sites, fabulous cuisine and affordable costs are just some of the reasons that make the Algarve one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Located in the country’s southernmost region, the Algarve offers a feast for the eyes, from tranquil landscapes of olive groves, traditional whitewashed villages to the wild, windswept coast with its dramatic cliffs dotted with summer resorts. Faro is the region’s capital, and Lagos is the area’s hot spot for nightlife. Looped by orange groves, Silves is best known for its red sandstone castle, while Tavira is an elegant town packed with Renaissance monuments, bridges and castles.



Aveiro








Catedral de Aveiro


Hugging the country’s Atlantic Coast in Central Portugal, Aveiro is a bustling city often called “the Venice of Portugal” due to its picturesque setting of scenic canals connected by charming bridges and dotted with colorful gondolas and speed boats. Historic sites, gorgeous beaches and tasty cuisine also make Aveiro a popular tourist destination. Aveiro’s many sightseeing gems include the Aveiro Cathedral, the São Gonçalinho Chapel and the Convento de Jesus. These all offer lovely architecture and art works.





Sintra


Pena’s Castle







Castle of the Moors

Nestled in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains on the Lisbon Coast, just a day trip away from Portugal’s capital city, Sintra presents a spectacular setting of verdant hills, sprinkled with pretty villas, royal retreats, castles and palaces such as the famous Pena’s Palace, a fantastical castle reminiscent of Germany’s Neuschwanstein. Built in the mid-1800s and serving as a summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family, Pena’s Palace is surrounded by forested parklands containing exotic trees, plants and flowers. Also not to be missed are the ancient ruins of the Castle of the Moors crowning the city’s highest hill, and the romantic Monserrate Palace with its subtropical gardens.







Top 3 locations suggested by the locals

Peneda-Gerês National Park







Peneda-Gerês National Park is in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border. Its rugged hills are home to deer, wolves and golden eagles. Trails include a Roman road studded with milestones. The spa town Gerês is nearby. Lindoso is a traditional village with a medieval castle and stone granaries. To the north, the 19th-century Shrine of Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda sits above a stairway in Peneda village.

Serra da Estrela





Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal. Together with the Serra da Lousã it is the westernmost constituent range of the Sistema Central and also one of the highest in the system.

Douro Valley








The Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto.






Inventions Portugal gave to the world!

*Caravela!
*by Henry The Navigator in 1451.



*Zebinix!
* by pharmaceutical company Bial, 2009.


*Carracks black sword!
* in the 15th century.


*Prepay mobile card!
*in 1990.




*Electronic tolls!
*in 1991.










Famous people from Portugal


Eusébio - was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. Eusébio is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all time. During his professional career, he scored 733 goals in 745 matches (41 goals in 64 matches for Portugal). Nicknamed the Black Panther, the Black Pearl, or o Rei (the King), he was known for his speed, technique, athleticism and his ferocious right-footed shot, making him a prolific goalscorer. He is considered S.L. Benfica's and the Portugal national team's most renowned player and one of the first world-class African-born players.

(1942 - 2014)


Amália Rebordão Rodrigues - better known as Amália Rodrigues or popularly as Amália, was a Portuguese fadista (fado singer) and actress. Known as the 'Rainha do Fado' ("Queen of Fado"), Rodrigues was instrumental in popularising fado worldwide and travelled internationally throughout her career. She became one of the most important figures during the genre's revival in the twentieth century and was a leading female fadista during her 50-year recording and stage career. Rodrigues remains an iconic figure and inspiration to other fado and popular music artists such as Madredeus, Dulce Pontes, Mariza and Cristina Branco. As of 1999, she had sold over 30 million records worldwide. Amália remains the best-selling Portuguese artist in history.

(1920-1999)


Durão Barroso - is a Portuguese politician who is the current non-executive chairman at Goldman Sachs International. Previously, he was the 11th President of the European Commission (2004–2014) and the 115th Prime Minister of Portugal (2002–2004).

(born 1956)



António Guterres - is a Portuguese politician and diplomat who is serving as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees between 2005 and 2015.

Guterres was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and was the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party from 1992 to 2002. He served as President of the Socialist International from 1999 to 2005.

(born 1949)


Cristiano Ronaldo - is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Portugal national team. Often considered the best player in the world and widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, Ronaldo has a record-tying five Ballon d'Or awards, the most for a European player, and is the first player to win four European Golden Shoes. He has won 26 trophies in his career, including five league titles, five UEFA Champions League titles and one UEFA European Championship. A prolific goalscorer, Ronaldo holds the records for most official goals scored in Europe's top-five leagues (395), the UEFA Champions League (120), the UEFA European Championship (9), as well as those for most assists in the UEFA Champions League (34) and the UEFA European Championship (6). He has scored over 670 senior career goals for club and country.

(born 1985)








Traditional food


Alheira de Mirandela



The alheira, a type of fowl sausage, is one of the cheapest and most common Portuguese dishes.

Bacalhau



There are hundreds of different recipes and versions of this classic, but bacalhau à brás is one of the best; a combination of onions, chips, olives, parsley, egg and, of course, cod.

Francesinha



The dish comprises of two slices of bread interspersed by steak, ham, sausage and chorizo, covered in melted Edam and drizzled in a secret, spicy, tomato based sauce, all served with chips and optionally crowned with a fried egg.


Rojoes



Rojões are one of the most traditional and unique dishes in Northern Portuguese cuisine. They are basically a combination between fried pork meat and pork rinds. Rojões are a lot like Portuguese torresmos but have more meat than fat, although they are just as delicious. They are full of flavor and when spiced with the right Portuguese seasonings, they are hard to resist.

Cozido a Portuguesa



Cozido à portuguesa or Portuguese boiled dinner is a type of cozido, traditional Portuguese stew.

Feijoada



Feijoada is a stew of beans with beef and pork of Portuguese origin.

Cataplana de Marisco



Cataplana is a seafood stew cooked in a copper double-pan and served with rice or chips.

Posta Mirandesa



This consists of a thick tenderloin beefsteak cooked over a strong fire. The secret to the incredible flavor is the fact that the meat is sourced from free-range Mirandesa cows, a breed originally from the Trás-os Montes region and found only in Portugal.


Traditional desserts

Pastel de Nata



Pastel de nata, is a Portuguese egg tart pastry, originally from Portugal which can also be found in Brazil and other countries with significant Portuguese immigrant populations.


Ovos moles



Ovos Moles de Aveiro is a local delicacy from Aveiro District, Portugal, made of egg yolks and sugar. This mixture is often put inside of small rice paper casings in nautical shapes, such as shells, or into communion wafers.

Cavacas



It's made with the pantry staples of eggs, flour, icing sugar and milk and the pastry should be light and the glaze is usually of the lemon variety.

Pudim flan



There are many ways to prepare this caramel-topped pudding, depending on where you are around the world, and the Portuguese love a thick, creamy and smooth finish to theirs.

Sonhos de abóbora



Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in Portugal around Christmas, and many locals dream of sinking their teeth into these bites of fried pumpkin dough that literally translate into “pumpkin dreams.”

Bolo de bolacha



Maria biscuits are a simple yet popular snack in Portugal, and they are the base for cookie cake, or bolo de bolacha. Some cooks prefer their bolo more cake-like while others create more of a pudding, but, either way, the basic biscuits are mixed with condensed milk to create a dessert that pairs well with coffee and tea.


Traditional drinks

Vinho de Porto


Sopa de Cavalo Cansado



Red wine with bread! Had no ideea at what category to put it..


Ginjinha



Ginjinha or simply Ginja, is a portuguese liqueur made by infusing ginja berries, in alcohol and adding sugar together with other ingredients.






Interesting facts about Portugal


1.Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language (240 million speakers) in the world, followed by Bengali and Russian.
2.Portuguese people were a key factor to the Age of Exploration. They helped discover several lands unknown to the Europeans in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
3.There are 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal (ranking it 8th in Europe and 17th in the world)… and each year more than 13 million tourists visit the country.
4.The University of Coimbra, established in Lisbon in 1290, is one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world, the oldest university of Portugal, and one of its largest higher education and research institutions.
5.The montado landscape of Portugal produces approximately half of all cork harvested annually worldwide. Cork is impermeable, buoyant, elastic, and has fire retardant properties. It is most commonly used as a wine stopper.
6.Portugal is the world leader in the production of renewable energy. It manages to meet almost 70% of its energy needs through hydro, wind and solar power. The country is also able to convert the movement of ocean waves into electricity and energy.
7.Chili, pepper, potatoes and tomatoes were introduced by the Portuguese to India. Piri-piri sauce was also invented by the Portuguese.
8.Fado is Portugal’s national music (it is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor).
9.The average age of first-time mothers in Portugal is 29.2 years.
10. In 1761, Portugal became the first colonial power to abolish slavery, doing so almost 50 years before Britain, France, Spain or the United States.






My 5 words when I hear about Portugal:
#Explorers,#Lusitania,#Football,#Discoveries,#Bacalhau

What are your 5?





Special thanks to the portuguese comunity, you can see the list below:



I will leave you with the national motto bellow:





I leave you with some Portuguese memes:














Waiting for feedback , comments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!




Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 52/74!









P.S.2. Don't forget to push the flags !