The Country

Portugal Guide

Get to know Portugal

Browsers and Discoverers
Portugal, on the Iberian Peninsula, is the country located in the far west of Western Europe. Considered a small country, Portugal occupies, however, a prominent position in world history, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, in the so-called Epoch of Discoveries.

The monument Landmark of Discoveries is a tribute to the Glory of those fearless Portuguese navigators.


Portugal na Europa Ocidental ©  / Google, Ilustração
Portugal in Western Europe © / Google, Illustration



Facing the Atlantic

The westernmost country in Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has the entire northern and eastern border with Spain (1,215 km). To the west, it is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean (with 832 km of coastline). As a standing rectangle, Portugal is 218 km wide and 561 km wide. length.


Succinct chronology of the History of Portugal here





Lisbon, the Capital

Lisbon, the welcoming capital of Portugal, is one of the most visited cities in Europe.


Sé de Lisboa (detalhe/pormenor), Igreja de Santa Maria Maior, Lisboa © Google Earth Pro
Sé de Lisbon Cathedral (detail), Church of Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon © Google Earth Pro



From Discoveries to Modernity
There are several attractions linked to its glorious past, from the Age of Discoveries, and its modern and current side. A cosmopolitan city that offers many charms and beauties to its millions of visitors.
For Brazilians, it has the extra advantage of being a little piece of Europe where we can speak Portuguese and feel comfortable.

Porto, the Capital of the North


Best places to visit

Best places to work

Best places to live



Douro Valley

Vale do Tejo

Vale do Mondego


Silver Coast

For a successful holiday in the heart of central Portugal.

Lands to discover

Some lands worth a visit, such as Terras de Basto, quite known for their production of Vinhos Verdes, of which it forms a sub-region of the RDVV (Demarcated Region of Vinhos Verdes).

Lands of Sousa

Other lands whose origin takes us back to the Middle Ages, the Terras do Sousa comprise the municipalities of Felgueiras, Penafiel, Lousada, Paredes and Paços de Ferreira. The Portuguese Route of the Romanesque crosses the Sousa Lands. These lands too are part of one of the 9 Vinho Verde sub-regions, the Sub- Vinho Verde region of Sousa DOC.
Counties:

Felgueiras


Penafiel


Lousada


Paredes


Paços de Ferreira



The Administrative Regions

From an administrative point of view, the country is divided into 5 regions: see Regions of Portugal


Castelo de Guimarães ©  / Images of Portugal, Ilustração
Guimarães Castle © / Images of Portugal, Illustration



Population

With a declining population, -2% since 2011, most Portuguese live in just a few major cities. which are Lisbon and Porto.

"About 50% of the population is concentrated in 31 of the 308 municipalities, located mostly in the Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon and Porto" [Express Journal, 7/28/2021].

Main Cities


A Little Geography

Find out more: Geography of Portugal





Top Cities

Greater Lisbon

In addition to the largest urban agglomeration in the country (Lisbon), Sintra, Cascais, Loures, Almada and Oeiras complete the podium of the Top 5 largest cities in Portugal.

Greater Porto

In the north of the country, in Greater Porto, other important cities are Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Matosinhos, Gondomar and Guimarães.

Learn more

Main cities


Guide Highlights

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