Portugal

Capital of Portugal: Lisbon
Population of Portugal: 10,760,305
Total area of Portugal: 92,090 km2

Portugal is also called the Portuguese Republic and is located in Southwestern Europe, next to Spain. The left third of the flag is green and the right two-thirds is red. The middle of the flag has a ball in which a banner of white is sitting. The banner has a ring of castles and a number of small blue banners within it. Its emblem is similar with the exception of a U-shaped arch of yellow leaves around the banner.

Portugal population

About 10.5 million people live in Portugal. It is a primarily Roman Catholic country with a great deal of national unity, primarily after it evicted Sephardic Jews, Moors and Moriscos. The current population is almost entirely Iberian, similar to other Mediterranean people. Its population source, according to DNA, is Paleolithic. There are two major cities in Portugal: Lisbon and Porto. These are heavily populated. There used to be a great deal of emigration from the country to the territories it held but now there is a net immigration. Now the Ukrainians, people from former Portuguese colonies and Brazilians immigrate to Portugal. A total of 85 percent of the population is Roman Catholic with a few other religions along with it. Many holidays in Portugal have Christian significance. The state language of Portugal is Portuguese, which originated from Spanish. Portuguese is spoken in many of the former colonies of Portugal.  

History of Portugal

Portugal is part of the Iberian Peninsula. It was settled by the Celts and was incorporated into the Roman Republic. It became part of Hispania until 298 CE. It was then conquered by the Moors. In the Reconquista era, it was conquered by the Christians from the Muslims and the Moors. In 1139 it was first considered as the County of Portugal, soon called the Kingdom of Portugal. Portugal was destroyed in part by the plague in the 1300s and aligned with England in 1373. Portugal was part of the Age of Discovery and conquered many foreign lands, especially in Africa. In 1498, a route to India was found and many Indians moved to Portugal. Spain took over Portugal in 1580 through 1640. In 1640, there was the Portuguese Restoration War that created the Portuguese House of Braganza, which was the reigning family until 1910. Lisbon was devastated by a large earthquake in the 1700s. Brazil was under the control of Portugal until its war for independence in 1822. In the 1800s, Portugal lost its lands in Africa as well. 

Portugal Tourism

Portugal has a steady amount of tourists every year. In 2006, there was an estimated 12.8 million visitors to the country! In recent years, tourism has played a huge role in the growth of the country’s economy. Portugal, a naturally enticing country has captured the curiosity of many visitors from all over the world. Some of its most important tourist destinations include the Alentejo, the Portugese Islands, the Northern Portugal, the Greater Porto, the Algarve and the Greater Lisbon. Portugal has many hotspots to offer such as Lisbon, Madeira, Templarios, Costa Azul, Douro Sul and many more. Lisbon, the capital city, boasts of everything a tourist needs: history, culture and night life. Do not miss out on the Belem, the Castelo Sao Jorge, Cristo Rei, Fado, Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Other important landmarks in Portugal include Sintra, Evora, Figueira da Foz and the famous Porto.

In Portugal, the first introductions are generally reserved but the Portuguese are a gracious and polite people. The most common greeting is done by handshake with direct eye contact and the correct greeting for that time of the day. If you are greeting friends or Portuguese that you have closer relationship with, then the exchange of hugs and kisses are to be expected. Men generally hug and give a handshake to each other while the women kiss each other on each cheek. Do not address them with their first names unless they extend the courtesy to you. Play it safe by being formal in greeting.