Country Information on Portugal

Terrain The northern and central regions are heavily populated and characterized by rivers, dense forests and mountain ranges - the highest range is the Serra da Estrela, peaking at Torre, the country's highest elevation on the European continent (1,993 m). Pico Alto on the Azores (2,320 m) is Portugal's highest elevation. The south is less populated and, apart from the rocky backdrop of the Algarve, much flatter and drier. Climate Given the country's proximity to the sea, Portugal's climate is temperate. The country is generally warm from April to October, though somewhat less so in the mountainous regions in the north, while the southern region of Algarve can experience uncomfortably hot temperatures in midsummer. During winter, the north receives plenty of rain and temperatures can be chilly. Snowfall is common in the mountains, particularly the Serra da Estrela range. Fauna/Flora Portugal's forested northern and central regions are rich in evergreen oak, cork oak, chestnut, and poplar. The Alentejo region is dominated by pine, eucalyptus and olive trees. In some regions, extensive deforestation lead to secondary vegetation predominantely consisting of macchie. Portugal's dry soil even supports vineyards. The county's habitats are a shelter for wild animals like wolves, lynx, wild cats, foxes, wild boars, wild goat, deer, wild hares, and numerous bird and insect species. History/Politics Portugal was inhabited by various tribal groups from about BC 10,000 to 5000. After BC 1000, Celts settled in the area and the Celtic federation of the Lusitani resisted the advance of the Romans until BC 140. In the 3rd century AD, Christianity was introduced in the region called "Lusitania" by the Romans. The Roman Empire disintegrating in the 5th century, two Germanic tribes (Suevi and Visigoths) vied for control of Lusitania. In 711, Moors invaded from North Africa and conquered the area south of the Tagus River. After the Christian reconquest, Portugal was attached to the kingdoms of Leon and Castile in the 10th century. King Alfonso I pushed the kingdom's frontiers further south in the 12th century. Alfonso III succeeded in conquering the southernmost province of Algarve in 1249 and moved the capital from Coimbra to Lisbon. The House of Avis was finally recognized (Treaty of Windsor, 1386) after Nuno Alvares Pereira's victory at Aljubarrota (1385). John of Avis (John I) captured Ceuta (Morocco) in 1415. In the 15th century, Portugal entered a phase of overseas expansion due to the efforts of Prince Henry the Navigator. Portuguese Mariners set off to discover Madeira in 1418 to 1419, and the Azores in 1427. The years 1487 to 1488 saw a successful Bartolomeu Diaz leading the first European expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, hence opening the road to the India. After Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, Portugal and Castilia signed the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), by which all newly discovered land would have to be divided into two zones of influence. Vasco da Gama's first trip to India (1497 - 1499) followed the route discovered by Diaz. This period marked the apogee of Portuguese power and wealth, but it faded towards the end of the 16th century when the country was occupied by Spain. Although the occupation lasted only a few decades, the momentum of the empire declined over the following centuries. At the close of the 18th century Napoleon sent expeditionary forces to invade Portugal but they were forced back by the troops of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. During the 19th century the economy faltered and republicanism took hold. National turmoil led to the abolition of the monarchy in 1910 and the founding of a democratic republic. Portugal's democratic phase lasted until 1926, when a military coup ushered in a long period of dictatorship under Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. His reign came to an end in 1968. Attempts to hold onto colonies in the face of nationalist independence movements resulted in costly wars in Africa and led to the Revolution of the Carnations, a bloodless military coup on 25 April 1974. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Portugal underwent some painful adjustments: the political climate vacillated between right and left, and the economy suffered from wrangles between government and private ownership. The granting of independence to Portugal's African colonies in 1974-5, resulted in a flood of refugees into the country. Portugal's remaining overseas territories include the semi-autonomous archipelagos of the Azores and the Madeira Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. EU-Accession in 1986 restored some measure of stability. Economy In 1998, Portugal continued to see strong economic growth, falling interest rates, and low unemployment. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and joined with 10 other European countries in launching the Euro on 1 January 1999. Portugal's consumer price index for 2000 was 2.9%. The government is working to modernise capital plant and increase the country's competitiveness in increasingly integrated world markets. Gross domestic product amounted to 3.3% in 2000. Major industries are textiles, tourism and agriculture. Portugal's unemployment rate in 2000 was 4%. Culture Portugal's architecture is renowned for its Moorish and surrealist flourishes, culminating in the development during the 16th century of the Manueline style characterized, by the extravagant use of twists, turns, spirals and nautical themes for decoration. The nation's best-known musical form is the melancholic fado (songs believed to have originated from the pinings of 16th-century sailors), while traditional folk dancing remains popular in rural towns. The most striking craft is the making of decorative tiles known as azulejos, a technique the Portuguese learnt from the Moors. Portugal's rich literary tradition also has its origins in the 16th century, with the publication of works by dramatist Gil Vicente and poet Luís de Camões. Arguably the country's finest poet and dramatist to emerge this century is Fernando Pessoa, with Jose Saramago even having been awarded the Nobel Literature Price.