Portugal

Portugal is the westernmost country of continental Europe. It lies on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain--Portugal's neighbor 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.

A Short Background

Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.

A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms.

The following year Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal entered the EC in 1985.

Location:

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Geographic coordinates:

39 30 N, 8 00 W

Population:

10,066,253 (July 2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun:  Portuguese (singular and plural) adjective:  Portuguese

Ethnic groups:

homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000

Religions:

Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)

Languages:

Portuguese

Currency:

EURO (EUR)

Exchange rates:

1 EURO to US Dollar : 1,1962 (April 2004)

More Informations:

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