The capital of Portugal, Lisbon: geographical location, history and sights. Portugal. rural scene

PORTUGAL
Portuguese Republic, a state in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. The capital is the city of Lisbon. The area, together with the islands, is 92.3 thousand square meters. km. From the south and west, the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the north and east it borders on Spain. In addition, Portugal includes the Azores, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,450 km west of Lisbon, and the Madeira archipelago, 970 km southwest of Lisbon.

Portugal. The capital is Lisbon. Population - 10.6 million people (1997). Population density - 115 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population - 30%, rural - 70%. Area - 92.3 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Estrela (1993 m). The official language is Portuguese. The main religion is Catholicism. Administrative-territorial division: 18 districts and 2 autonomous regions. Monetary unit: escudo = 100 centavos. Public holiday: Portugal Day on 10 June. National anthem: "A Portuguesa"

After a short delay, check if videostreamok has hidden its iframe setTimeout(function() ( if(document.getElementById("adv_kod_frame").hidden) document.getElementById("video-banner-close-btn").hidden = true; ) , 500); ) ) if (window.addEventListener) ( window.addEventListener("message", postMessageReceive); ) else ( window.attachEvent("onmessage", postMessageReceive); ) ))();

The name of the country comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Cale at the mouth of the river. Douro. In 1139 Portugal became a kingdom independent of Spain. At that time, it occupied only the northern third of its modern territory. In 1249, the last Muslim ruler in the south of the country was expelled, and since then its borders have changed little. In the 15th century Portugal was the leading maritime power in Europe, and in the next century the first of the European countries to create a huge empire with overseas possessions in South America, Africa, India and the East Indies. In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown in Portugal, and in 1974 a democratically minded military junta put an end to the dictatorial regime that had existed since 1926. The constitution adopted in 1976 proclaimed Portugal a parliamentary republic with direct elections and universal suffrage for the adult population. In addition to modern administrative divisions, districts, division into 11 historical provinces is often used in Portugal.
NATURE
Surface structure. On the territory of Portugal, the valleys of the Douro (Duero) and Tejo (Tajo) rivers are clearly distinguished. In the upper reaches, they are narrow and deeply incised; downstream, they expand and, near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, pass into flat lowlands. These rivers are the natural boundaries of five of the six geographic regions of the country. At the same time, the border between Portugal and Spain is almost never associated with natural boundaries.
The relief of the provinces of Minho in the west and Traz-os-Montes and Alto-Douro in the east, located north of the Douro river, is rugged, mountainous. The province of Beira, extending from the river Douro to the upper part of the river Tejo, except for the coastal plain, is also occupied by mountains. In its central part there is the highest point of Portugal - Mount Estrela (1993 m above sea level). The fertile plains in the lower reaches of the Tagus River (Ribatejo province) and in the coastal zone north and south of the country's capital, Lisbon, belong to the province of Extremadura. To the east and south of it stretches the province of Alentejo, with a soft hilly relief, and the entire southern part of Portugal is occupied by the plains of the Algarve province, similar in natural conditions to the Mediterranean zone of North Africa.
The soils of Portugal are mostly sandy, acidic, formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The exception is the fertile loamy soils of the alluvial plain in the lower reaches of the Tejo River. Several seismically active zones are distinguished on the territory of Portugal, the largest of them are located in the Algarve, Minho and near Lisbon.
Climate. Portugal, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, has a temperate Mediterranean climate. It is possible to separate several climatic regions: northwestern with heavy rains, mild winters and short summers; the northeast with longer, cold, snowy winters and hot summers, and the south with a deficit of precipitation, long hot, dry summers and mild winters. In Lisbon, air humidity is low and average temperatures range from 10°C in January to 23°C in August. The average annual rainfall here is 700 mm.
Flora and fauna. The natural vegetation of Portugal, although heavily modified by man, reflects the climatic features listed. Where oceanic influence predominates, pine grows in abundance. On the northern and central coast, it forms significant forests, in the tree layer of which there is also Portuguese oak (Quercus lusitanica), and in the shrub layer - broom. In areas with long, hot and dry summers, cork and holm oaks are common.
Forests cover 1/5 of the territory of Portugal; almost half of them are coniferous, mostly pine. Approximately 607 thousand hectares are occupied by cork oak plantations. Portugal supplies half of the world's cork production. The area of ​​eucalyptus plantations, characterized by rapid growth, is rapidly expanding; it is the most important source of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. Forests are essential to the economy and foreign trade of Portugal.
Of the animals in the country, there are species typical of Central Europe (lynx, wild forest cat, wolf, fox, wild boar, bear, various rodents), as well as representatives of the North African fauna (genet, chameleon, etc.). Portugal is located on one of the main migration routes of migratory birds, so many species of birds are found here. More than 200 species of fish are found in coastal waters, including commercial ones, including sardines, anchovies and tuna.
POPULATION
Origin and features. The population of the country is mono-ethnic, 99% are Portuguese. Many peoples have long settled on the Iberian Peninsula. The most ancient inhabitants - the Iberians - were undersized and swarthy. Over the centuries, the appearance of the Portuguese was formed under the influence of the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, as well as Germanic tribes, in particular the Visigoths and Alemanni.
Demography. For a century and a half, the population of Portugal has tripled - from 3.4 million people in 1841 to 10.6 million people in 1997. In the first half of the 1980s, per 1000 inhabitants, the birth rate was approx. 18, and mortality 9-10. By the end of the 1980s, the birth rate had fallen to almost 12. Natural population growth was partly offset by emigration. Throughout the 20th century the largest number of emigrants went to America. However, in the 1960s, many Portuguese left in search of work in France, Germany and other countries of Western Europe. From 1960 to 1972 almost 1.5 million Portuguese emigrated. In the late 1970s, emigration declined sharply, and after the Portuguese colonies in Africa gained independence, several hundred thousand Portuguese returned to their homeland.
Cities. The largest and most important city in Portugal is Lisbon (2.1 million inhabitants with suburbs, 1996). This is the capital and main port of the country, an industrial center, a junction of roads and railways, as well as air traffic. The growth of the suburbs was so rapid that by the 1990s, almost 2.3 million people lived in the Lisbon metropolitan area, i.e. nearly a quarter of the country's population. Petrochemical plants, shipyards and enterprises of many other industries form a powerful industrial complex, covering suburbs such as Amadora (140 thousand people in 1991), Barreiro (59.5 thousand) and Almada (22.6 thousand). Porto is the main city of the North - the second most populous in the country (302.5 thousand in 1991; in the entire agglomeration, about 1.2 million people). Porto, located on the right bank of the Douro River, the former capital of Portugal and a major port of the country, is famous for its port wine. On the opposite bank of the Douro River is the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (31.5 thousand inhabitants in 1991), where many warehouses of wine companies are concentrated. To the north of Porto is its suburb, Matosinhos (29.8 thousand), the center of fishing and canning sardines.
The main city of central Portugal, Coimbra (118.9 thousand), is known for its university, founded in 1290. It is also a trade and transport center. Braga (102.7 thousand) - the residence of the Roman Catholic primate of Portugal, there are small factories and handicraft workshops. Setubal (85.3 thousand) is the center of the fish processing industry, fruit processing and car assembly.
Language. Portugal is a monolingual country. The official language is Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken approx. 184 million people on three continents. This language has similarities with Spanish, both of them are derived from Latin. However, Portuguese differs significantly from Spanish in terms of pronunciation and grammar. The vocabulary of the Portuguese language has been enriched by Arabic and German words, as well as a dictionary of the languages ​​of the Asian peoples, with whom the Portuguese travelers-discoverers and traders came into contact. The most significant work of medieval Portuguese literature is the epic poem Lusiada (1572), written by Luis de Camões. It tells of the Portuguese geographical discoveries and glorifies Portugal and its people.
Religion. Portugal in its history and traditions is a Roman Catholic country; almost 94% of its inhabitants profess Catholicism. However, the church is separated from the state and does not receive direct financial support from it. Less than 1% of the inhabitants are Protestants. There are Jewish communities in Lisbon and Porto (200 thousand people). About 5% of the country's inhabitants recognize themselves as atheists.
GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
From 1926 to 1974 in Portugal there was a conservative dictatorial regime of the so-called. "new state". In fact, the country was ruled for 36 years by António de Oliveira Salazar, who served as prime minister. He banned all political organizations except the National Union he founded, and sought to control the entire population through a network of youth organizations, veterans' associations, and other institutions officially supported by the state. Salazar made extensive use of propaganda and censorship, and suppressed dissent with the help of the secret police.
During the dictatorship of Salazar and the six-year rule of his successor, Marcel Caetano, the ever-increasing costs of maintaining power in the recalcitrant African colonies led to the impoverishment of most workers and peasants in Portugal itself. At the same time, the profits from the colonies went to a small trading, industrial and landowning oligarchy. By many measures, Portugal was the poorest country in Western Europe. On April 25, 1974, a group of young officers who made up the Movement of the Armed Forces (ICE) and opposed the endless wars in Africa and the repressive policies at home, overthrew the Cayetana regime and formed an interim government. The officers demanded negotiations with representatives of the liberation movements, an end to the existence of the police state and censorship, the formation of political parties, and the holding of elections to the Constituent Assembly within a year after the transition to civilian government.
The initial two-year transition period was accompanied by political instability. During this time, six interim governments were replaced, attempts were made to carry out two coups d'état (one was inspired by the right forces, the other by the left); The country was engulfed in strikes and demonstrations. Nevertheless, on the first anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the Portuguese elected a Constituent Assembly, which drafted a constitution that came into force on April 2, 1976.
State device. In contrast to Salazar's corporate regime, the state system provided for by the 1976 constitution was based on democratic principles with elements of socialism.
The legislature is a unicameral parliament (Assembly of the Republic), consisting of 250 deputies, elected in general elections for a four-year term. The Assembly adopts laws and approves the budget. Executive power is divided between the president and the government headed by the prime minister. The president is elected in a general election for a term of five years and cannot be re-elected for a third term. The president's powers include the appointment and removal of the prime minister and other ministers, and he can veto bills passed by parliament. The government determines the policy of the country, forms the budget and exercises control over public administration.
From 1976 to 1982, there was a State Council under the President, which was subsequently replaced by three new bodies: the Constitutional Court, the Advisory State Council, headed by the President and staffed by political and public figures, and the Supreme Council of National Defense.
In 1989, a series of amendments to the 1976 constitution were adopted: the goal was to build a "free and just society that cares for others," instead of the previous wording - "building a classless society." A clause was introduced to allow the sale of previously nationalized companies and a new course of agricultural reform was set. Some articles of the constitution were revised in 1992.
Portugal has a centralized system of government. The continental part of the country is subdivided into 18 administrative districts. Smaller administrative units are municipalities and parishes.
Local government. The representative organizations of the parish are the assembly and the junta of the parish. The Assembly is elected by all the citizens of the parish. The junta is the executive body of the parish and is elected by secret ballot of the assemblies from among its members. The chairman of the junta is the citizen who leads the list of candidates and who has received the largest number votes in assembly elections.
Municipalities are governed by municipal assemblies and chambers. The municipal assemblies consist of the presidents of the junta (executive bodies) of the parishes and at least the same number of elected deputies. The Municipal Chamber is the executive branch of government and is chaired by the candidate of the leading party that receives the most votes. Municipalities can create associations and federations to solve economic, social, cultural and other issues.
The representative bodies of the administrative districts are the assembly and the junta of the district. The Assembly consists of members elected by direct universal suffrage and members chosen by an electoral college composed of members of the municipal assemblies. The executive collegial body, the junta, is elected by secret ballot by the district assembly from among its members. The county junta has a government representative.
The Azores and Madeira enjoy self-government and have the status of autonomous regions. They are also divided into municipalities and parishes. Regional assemblies are elected in direct general and secret elections in accordance with the principle of proportional representation.
Political parties. With the establishment of the dictatorship of Salazar in the early 1930s and until the April Revolution of 1974, political parties were banned. Nevertheless, the communist and socialist parties, as well as small political groups of the left, operated underground. After 1974, a number of new parties emerged. The largest of them - the People's Democratic (later renamed the Social Democratic, SDP) and the Social Democratic Center (SDC) - were formed by politicians who played an active role under the previous regime. Most major parties have received significant financial assistance from foreign political partners.
During the first few months after the revolution, approx. 80 political groups. By the time the first ballots were distributed, the political spectrum had narrowed to 12 parties. In the elections, the following parties received the largest number of votes: Socialist (SP, 35%), PSD (24%), SDC (16%) and Portuguese Communist (PCP, 14%).
The more conservative North of Portugal favored the SDP or NP, while the SP and PKP had support in the south. In recent years, the PKP's influence has waned, its electorate formerly consisting of industrial workers in the Lisbon region and poor agricultural workers in the South (Alentejo). About a million returnees from Angola and Mozambique are hostile to the left-wing politicians who granted independence to these African colonies.
Political instability shook Portugal in the first decade after the revolution. From 1974 to 1976, six provisional governments were replaced. General António Ramalho Eanis, a moderate member of the Armed Forces Movement (EMF), provided some social stability during his presidency from 1976-1986. Mario Soares was the prime minister during the same years. He led the first SP minority government and then led an unstable government coalition. In 1979 the president was forced to hold by-elections.
From 1979 to 1983, most parties grouped into three coalitions, which were center right, center left, and extreme left; while the SDP dominated. This situation changed in 1983, when a centrist coalition came to power, led by the Socialists, who received the majority of votes, and the Social Democrats. This coalition government collapsed in 1985, after the weakening of the position of the SDP.
Although the socialist candidate Soares was elected president in 1986 (the first civilian head of state in 60 years) with the support of the revolutionary
Democratic Party DVS Eanish and the United People's Union, led by the Communists, the Social Democrats continued to lead the parliament in the mid-1980s. In 1987, after the abolition of censorship and the holding of new elections, the SDP won the majority of seats in parliament for the first time in 13 years. The socialists won the 1989 municipal elections, and Soarish was elected president in the January 13, 1991 elections, receiving 70.4% of the vote. Nevertheless, the SDP again received an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections on October 6, 1991.
In 1995, the Socialists managed to win the presidential election and get the majority of seats in parliament. The government was headed by the leader of the joint venture, António Guterres. In January 1996, Jorge Sampaio, the former socialist mayor of Lisbon, won the presidential election. The Socialists also won the 1997 municipal elections.
Legal system. Under the Salazar regime, freedom of the press and the right to associate, assemble, protest or strike were severely restricted. In the 1976 constitution, these restrictions were lifted. The provision for the inviolability of the person was introduced into both civil and military laws. The criminal law system is organized at the national level under the Ministry of Justice in 217 judicial districts. In a number of cases, the prosecution or the defense has the right to demand a trial by jury.
In Portugal, the courts are independent and subject only to the law. The Constitutional Court exists completely independently. The highest body in the hierarchy of courts is the Supreme Court. In addition, the system of courts includes courts of general jurisdiction of first and second instances, the Supreme Administrative Court and other administrative and fiscal courts, the Accounts Chamber, military tribunals, maritime courts, arbitration courts.
Military establishment. The regime of Salazar - Cayetano constantly increased the military power of Portugal. Under Cayetano, almost 2/5 of the total amount of government spending was directed to the armed forces. After the revolution of 1974, in connection with the liquidation of the colonial system, there was no need for a large army. In 1990, 44 thousand people served in the army, 16 thousand people in the navy. The air force consisted of approx. 15 thousand personnel.
Foreign policy. Portugal has long had particularly close relations with England. This tradition dates back to a trade treaty signed in 1373. In 1386, both countries signed a treaty of mutual cooperation at Windsor, and close economic ties were secured by the Treaty of Methuen in 1703. British support helped Portugal assert its independence after 1640 and retain a large part of its overseas empire . However, this ancient alliance did not affect the Portuguese policy of neutrality in World War II, although the UK and the US were given bases in the Azores. Subsequently, the American air base at Lajes was taken over by NATO, which Portugal joined in 1949.
Due to the Soviet veto in the UN Security Council, Portugal was not admitted to this organization until 1955. From 1960 to 1986, Portugal was a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Portuguese colonies in 1970 occupied an area of ​​over 2 million square meters. km. The largest of these were Angola and Mozambique in Africa. In Asia, Portugal owned the colonies of Macau in southeast China and East Timor in the Malay Archipelago. In 1974-1975 all African colonies became independent.
After the liquidation of the Portuguese colonial system in Africa, relations were restored with the USSR, the countries of Eastern Europe and many countries in Africa and Asia.
Relations with Indonesia escalated after it occupied East Timor in 1975 and the facts became known abuse with the inhabitants of this former Portuguese colony. In 1999, Indonesia, under public pressure, withdrew its troops from East Timor.
In accordance with the 1987 agreement, the administration of the Portuguese colony of Macao (Macao) was to pass to China in December 1999.
In the late 1970s, Portugal's ties with NATO strengthened. January 1, 1986 Portugal joined the European Community (EU). Portugal is part of the union of Portuguese-speaking countries, which also includes Brazil and the former Portuguese colonies - Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde.
See below
PORTUGAL. ECONOMY
PORTUGAL. STORY
PORTUGAL. HISTORY FROM THE 18TH CENTURY
LITERATURE

Spain and Portugal. M., 1947 Biro P. Portugal. M., 1952 Kolomiets G.N. Essays on the recent history of Portugal. M., 1965 Kritsky L.G. Portugal. M., 1981 Stroganov A.O. Economy of Portugal. M., 1985 Pisarets I.G. Portugal in search of a new path. M., 1986 Variash O.I., Chernykh A.P. Portugal: roads of history. M., 1990 Kaplanov R.M. Portugal after World War II, 1945-1974. M., 1992

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Portugal- a very picturesque country with a peculiar way of life, unfortunately, still little visited by tourists from Russia and other CIS countries. However, in Lately there are more and more tourists who want to relax in this amazing place. Therefore, many will be interested to learn more about the sights of this country.

Peculiarities

Portugal is a paradise for lovers of unusual ancient architecture and historical values. In addition to the huge number of architectural masterpieces built during the reign of the Roman Empire, only in this amazing country you can admire one of the most beautiful architectural styles of Manueline, which made many Portuguese palaces and cathedrals unique. Portugal is an amazing country with unique opportunities for any type of holiday and which will be remembered for a long time, because its main attractions are fabulous cities and breathtaking nature.

general information

The Portuguese Republic is located in Europe, on an area of ​​​​92 thousand square meters. km, is the westernmost state on the entire continent. The population is 10.8 million people. The single official language in the country is Portuguese. The monetary unit is the euro (EUR). 100 EUR = $EUR:USD:100:2. Time in Portugal is 2 hours behind Moscow in summer and 3 hours in winter. The time zone is UTC+1 in summer and UTC+0 in winter. Mains voltage 230 V at 50 Hz, C, F. Telephone country code +351. Internet domain.pt.

A brief excursion into history

Portugal has been within its present borders for over 900 years. Although the country has a small area, Portugal has played an important role in world history. Today it is the oldest country in Europe that has not changed its borders. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal began a major chapter in world history with the discovery of the New World. The Portuguese organized a sea route to India, colonized regions in different parts world, creating an empire: Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-Bissau, etc.), South America (Brazil, part of Uruguay), Asia (Goa, Macao, Sri Lanka, Malacca) and Oceania (East Tibor). In 1910 a republic was established and the monarchy was abolished. However, the republic was still fragile, and a virtual military dictatorship was implemented, which lasted 40 years and brought the country to stagnation. Portugal became a free democracy in 1974 and joined the European Union in 1986, moving rapidly towards European standards.

Climate

The subtropical Mediterranean climate reigns throughout Portugal. It is sunny in summer, but there is no sweltering heat, while it is quite dry, the average temperature in July is +20..+27 degrees. The winter is cool, rains are frequent, the temperature in January fluctuates in the range of +5..+10 degrees. On the Atlantic coast, as a rule, strong winds blow, and the water does not warm up to a comfortable temperature for swimming, even in summer.

Nature and fauna

About half of Portugal's forests are coniferous trees, cork oak grows in large areas, as well as eucalyptus trees. The economy of Portugal is largely dependent on forests, which occupy 1/5 of the entire territory. The fauna is typical of the rest of Europe, with a wide variety of birds.

Visa and customs regulations

For citizens of Russia and Ukraine, a Schengen visa is required to visit Portugal. Customs formalities comply with global standards.

How to get there

There is in Portugal and the opportunity to choose a vacation on a truly paradise island. The most famous and popular is the most beautiful. This green place is located 1000 km from the continent and is rich in exotic palm trees, subtropical flowers and fruits. The capital of Madeira is the ancient city, whose ancient palaces and squares are quite organically combined with modern hotels and shops. Lovers of a more secluded and romantic getaway can choose an island Porto Santo or .

Accommodation

In Portugal, the choice of types of accommodation is quite wide. For those who want to stay in comfortable luxurious conditions, there is a wonderful network of Pestana Group hotels, which are located in palaces, castles, villas and ancient buildings with excellent service. For a colorful holiday, you can stay in the countryside - Casas de Campo. You can also stay in a standard 3-star hotel, which will be quite decent in terms of service, but will cost noticeably lower than 4-5 *. Hotels with a rich infrastructure for a beach family vacation are popular on the coast.

The stories of many travelers begin with the words “I always dreamed of going to Iceland” or “I dreamed of France since childhood, and now I had a chance…”. There was nothing like this in my history, and I would be lying if I started in the same way, and introducing you to Portugal with a lie seems to me a crime.

In general, I came to Portugal almost by accident. Well, I was invited to visit. More than 5 years have passed since my first trip, and since then I have made three more visits to Portugal, because I returned home, but my heart has remained there.

So there’s nothing to dissemble, everything started much more prosaic for me, but now it’s all poetry, and I hope my story about this country will seem convincing and informative enough for those who, like me, had no idea that What is Portugal and why go there.

It’s probably worth starting with a simple question: “Why Portugal?” This country has never been included in the standard set of a novice traveler in Europe, giving way to its place under the sun of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Greece. At first I thought to complain about the injustice of life, but not too much popularity among tourists is more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

Many have been to Barcelona and Rome, but who has heard the music of the Lisbon streets, consisting of a perky tram ringing, a sad fado melody and the sound of the surf? Many have seen Juliet's balcony in Verona and even left messages for her, but who has been to Alcobaça, famous for its beautiful and scary love story?

In general, what is called, if you want to stay away from the "mainstream", then you are on your way to Portugal with me.

Visa and border crossing

Obtaining a Schengen visa to Portugal is not much different from obtaining a Schengen visa to any other country, so the procedure will not seem complicated to those familiar with this system. For those who are flying to Europe for the first time, obtaining a Portuguese visa is also unlikely to be a problem. The Portuguese, either because of their good-natured nature, or because of the economic crisis, boldly and easily give visas to almost everyone.

And for this you just need:

• get a certificate from the place of work or study;
• print ticket and accommodation reservations;
• do not forget the original travel document (passport);
• fill in a visa application form in 2 copies (can be done on the spot);
• prepare 3 photographs according to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization;
• pay the visa fee (35 €);
• get health insurance;
• photocopy all completed pages of the civil passport.

Well, bring all this, of course, to the visa center or the embassy of Portugal.

It is important to remember that a certificate from the place of work or study will not be enough without confirmation of your material wealth. Also, do not forget that the package of documents for children is different from the above.

There are other conditions for applying for a visa, for example, an invitation from the country of entry or a non-tourist purpose of travel. Then you need to print and bring this invitation, as well as a copy of the documents confirming the legality of the inviting person's stay in the EU.

In my memory, it has never happened that the documents were considered longer than the due date, but personally I prefer to take care of the issue of obtaining a visa as early as possible and do this no later than 2-3 weeks before the trip.

Crossing the border directly is usually simple and painless, but once a bottle of alcohol I bought in Russian Duty Free was taken away from me, so it’s better to buy and put everything in your suitcase in advance.

How to get there

As you know, Portugal is the westernmost mainland country in Europe, and therefore, as you can guess, the way to it from Russia is not at all close. But there are several options.

Tourist regions

Portugal, like Russia, has two capitals, and, no doubt, they still compete with each other, but both of them are equally interesting and significant for the traveler.

Or rather, my conscience tells me so, but I confess that my soul is given to Lisbon, moreover, it is within easy reach of Central region, where the most (in my opinion) brightest and most significant places in Portugal are concentrated. North, I think, is interesting only for some surrounding cities (for example, Viana do Castelo), while the center of Portugal is the very color of its beauty.

Of great value to Portugal are her coastal resorts. Of course, people come here for vitamin D and swimming, but for seekers of soft sun and gentle waves, Portugal will not seem like an ideal place to relax.

Nevertheless, this country is far from being deprived of resorts in their classical sense. For those who want to relax on the beach and at the same time see some interesting places, this is perfect Lisbon Riviera. Estoril, and - cities with a rich past and a vibrant present, I highly recommend even the most couch potatoes to break away from the towels on the beach and make small trips to these places.

However, for those who want to devote themselves to resort holidays to the end, there is a region a little less rich in sights, but it is perfect for those who are fed up with the resorts of Spain and Greece. This is also for those who want to sunbathe, swim and lie on the sand. A significant center is its capital, the city of Faro. This place is quite popular among the Spaniards, with whose homeland this city has close transport links, as well as Russian tourists traveling by charter.

But if such a vacation bores you, then you should go to Leiria, Alcobasu, Fatima and neighboring areas. This is for those who are interested in the culture and history of the country. Exposure to the north winds makes the weather of these places somewhat cooler, and the water temperature rarely exceeds twenty degrees. However, a certain weather severity is not the main advantage of this area.

Personally, I love these areas for a great variety of interesting places to visit, ranging from magnificent Gothic temples, austere fortresses, and ending with secluded beaches, pine forests.

Worthy of special mention Azores and Madeira, but they require no less time than the whole of Portugal, and therefore, if you want to visit them, relax there and come back, then calculate the duration of your trip.

Such a vacation is well suited for those who have long dreamed of visiting the islands, but or can not afford it.

And here is a map that lists all the regions I have designated and some cities.

By the way, I usually book hotels in Portugal on Booking - after looking in the Travelask section for better prices. You can live not in a hotel, but in a private apartment -.

Top cities

First on the list, of course, will be the hearts of Portugal: Lisbon and .

By the way, next to Geronimos is the oldest and most famous coffee house in Lisbon, famous for its pastel de nata dessert. The name of the coffee shop is Belen, and it is not difficult to find it at all, since it is located a couple of steps from the cathedral itself and close to McDonald's, to which, as usual, many signs lead. The line in Belem always goes outside, but trust me, it's worth it, because you must not often eat in coffee houses that have been open since 1837?

However, you should not think that Lisbon is good only for churches and palaces, and therefore do not try to bypass the capital if you decide to come to Portugal.

But not only Lisbon is good Portugal, and it's time to turn north, where the ancient one awaits us. The city seems to be much calmer than Lisbon (apparently, this is the lot of all northern capitals), but it is by no means less interesting.

How can a city be boring with a Port Wine Museum? :) Surely everyone knows such an alcoholic brand as Sandeman, and if you remember that mysterious figure in a black cloak and sombrero, then you will be doubly interested to know that this image symbolizes two alcoholic drinks at the same time: Portuguese port wine (cape) and Spanish sherry ( hat).

A separate pleasure is to walk through the cellars of the museum along the huge barrels of wine dated back to the beginning of the last century. And, of course, who wouldn't want a tasting?

However, if all these alcoholic researches do not interest you at all, then you can just start walking and see what is beautiful in the city. For example, the Clerigos Tower, which offers a view of the entire city. But climbing it is very tiring :).

Also worth mentioning is the Church of Santa Clara, famous for its gilded wood carvings. Thanks to his interior decoration it may even resemble an Orthodox church, but, of course, Santa Clara is not like that.

Near the church, there is the famous Chapel of Bones, with the optimistic greeting "Our bones are here waiting for your bones". By the way, the matter does not end there, and inside you are met by walls and columns decorated with patterns of bones and skulls. Nice, right?

However, not only port wine and bones, just like Lisbon, is worthy of your attention, and Portugal itself is not limited to two capitals.

If you miss tragic love stories worthy of Shakespeare's pen, then you simply must visit Alcobasu and touch the temple, which has become a symbol of fidelity bordering on madness.

If you want to see the grandiose monument of the victory of the Portuguese over the Spaniards (and be glad that you preferred Portugal to its eastern neighbor on this trip), then your road lies in Battle.

If you have always been attracted by the history of the Templars, then head to, if you want to see the residence of the Pope, then go to Leiria. The crown of this medieval tale is the city surrounded by a stone fortress Obidos, where a magnificent festival takes place every year, to which you can come dressed as a noble lady or a knight, a nun or a jester, an Arab woman or a Jew.

Entrance in a suit (you can try them on and choose right there, you don’t need to sew anything at night and drag it with you) costs only a euro more than usual, but you will get pleasure for a lifetime! And how much can you put on Instagram ... :).

However, for those who are not too interested in all this medieval turmoil, Portugal has something to see without the cities listed. For instance, Fatima. It is not necessary to be a believer to visit this place, but still I will say that Fatima plays a special role for Catholic pilgrims. According to legend, it was there that the Virgin Mary appeared to three children and gave them three prophecies, each of which has already come true. In less than a hundred years, Fatima has become a significant cultural attraction for the Portuguese and tourists, and for Christians - a holy city. Also not far from Fatima are the famous caves. mira deEire.

Those interested in religion will also be interested to see Busaku, once the hunting grounds of kings and now a luxury hotel. However, not only and not so much the palace is of interest to a potential traveler. All the most important is hidden in the forest. A long time ago, the Carmelites built cells there and created a path to the top of the mountain, similar to the one that the Savior walked. In each cell there is a scene from the life of Christ, and on the way up you can "read" the whole story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

If you are far from religion, like from Lisbon, then you will just be pleased to take a walk up the narrow paths of this mysterious park, see the cork trees with your own eyes and, finally, reach the top, from where an impossible view of all of Portugal opens.

So let's recap:

• Porto and Lisbon are not discussed because they are capitals.
• Alcobaça, because it is a very bright and beautiful city, famous for its love story.
• , because where without the Templars?
• Busaca, because Portugal from above is very beautiful, as well as the way to the top.
• , because goth is always good, and the victory over the Spaniards too.
• Fatima, because how can one pass by one of the most famous places pilgrimages of the Catholic world?
• because it's beautiful and sunny.
• Óbidos because medieval festivals are a very, very good idea.

Islands

Few know about Madeira something besides the fact that Princess Sisi was treated there at one time, oh, yes, well, Ronaldo, of course. Meanwhile, Madeira seems to me just an incredible place, fortunately or unfortunately, underestimated by Russian tourists. About Azores, by the way, they know even less, and therefore, like Madeira, it is worth devoting a separate article to them, but for now I will just tell you how to get to them.

The cheapest way from Russia to Madeira can be reached by low-cost airlines from the Baltic states, but affordable flights follow both through and through Frankfurt, and, of course, through. From Lisbon to Madeira, you can fly within 100 €.

As for the Azores, traveling there is complicated by the fact that this is not one island, but an archipelago, and therefore communication between the islands is necessary. From Moscow, it will be cheapest to fly to San Miguel, and from there fly or sail by ferry.

Top attractions

It seems to me that I have already mentioned enough cool places, but if I want to sum it up, I would probably name the following:

Weather

The ocean is not the sea, and its strength is so great that the weather depends on its mood. Summer in Portugal is really hot, especially if the winds suddenly start blowing from Spain. But usually the closer to the coast, the more you want to take a light jacket or at least a scarf with you.

Often before noon, the sun hides behind the clouds, which makes it very, very chilly in the presence of wind, but as soon as the sun looks out, it starts to get very hot. In general, do not disdain either sun protection or warm clothes. Portugal is fickle, like a capricious girl, and therefore you can expect anything from her. And yet, it is summer and, perhaps, autumn that can be considered the season to visit the country.

Winter in Portugal is not easy for those who live on the coast, because the all-consuming dampness is hardly something that can be pleasant for at least someone. It is much more pleasant to spend time in the interior of the country in winter, because the temperature rarely drops below zero, and the wind rarely wanders to disturb residents and guests.

The season in Portugal ends with the onset of the second half of autumn. Get ready for sleeping cities and the almost complete absence of tourists. Such silence may seem boring for those who are looking for the sun, but the dropped ticket prices can be a worthy compensation.

Money

To be honest, Portugal is in a difficult financial situation, and therefore the prices are more than tolerable and can even be safely called ridiculous.

The country's currency is the euro, and to exchange it, of course, more profitable at home than in Portugal itself. Visa and Master Cards are accepted almost everywhere. There are no specific conditions for the use of money.

Moving around the country

Let's start with the Lisbon metro. The Moscow metro is considered to be the most beautiful in the world, but there are cities in which it is no less beautiful, and this is one of them. The best artists and architects of Portugal once worked on the design of the stations, in addition, it is quite clean and tidy there, unlike many other European subways.

There are only four lines in the metro, and even the Portuguese approached them from the point of view of aesthetics, naming them simply by their colors (Red, Yellow, Green and Blue) and giving each of them their own small symbol. A graceful seagull accompanies the blue branch, a joyful sunflower accompanies the yellow branch, an elegant caravel accompanies the green branch, and a neat compass accompanies the red branch.

One trip by metro costs 1.40 €, and for a day - 6 €. By the way, the ticket also works on the surface metro, similar to our trams.

The metro has a system of cards that can be replenished as soon as they run out of trips. It is important to keep the ticket until the end, otherwise you will simply not be let out and forced to pay a fine. The subway starts at 06:30 and ends at 1:00.

Trains and buses are well established between cities, but to travel around the country, of course, you need to take a car. Renting usually costs a little less than 50 € per day. How much are different models of cars for rent, you can see by. And don't let the toll highways stop you! You can save money by purchasing a Via Verde card, in addition, separate lanes on the road for its owners can be a nice bonus. A tenant can be a person not younger than 21 years old and not older than 75, whose experience is not less than a year. Of the documents required foreign, rights and a bank card.

It is most convenient to pay on the roads using bank cards, since not all highways have operators. Usually the calculation procedure does not take much time and does not slow down the movement. The cost depends on the distance covered, for example, from Lisbon to the road will cost less than 1.5 €, and already from Lisbon to - a little more than 20 €.

Be careful with parking: they are strictly prohibited near bus and tram stops, moreover, most often they do not work around the clock.

Don't forget about alcohol restrictions. Permissible blood alcohol level - 0.49 % . I also remind you of the need to have seats for children under 12 years of age and the inadmissibility of driving without seat belts (even in the back seats). Talking on the phone and exceeding the number of passengers in the car are no less severely punished.

If you decide to rent a car in Portugal, take all the rules with attention and caution, because the Portuguese police do not let you relax, and I personally know many stories that ended in huge fines and disqualification.

Finally, I’ll tell you about bicycles, in case there are enthusiasts among the readers. It will be difficult to move around Lisbon on a bicycle because of its hilly nature, and therefore it’s better not to even try, but outside the cities there are a lot of people highways are accompanied by cycle paths, and riding them is not only pleasant, but also safe. When I lived in, I quite often made a bike outing in the neighborhood. I hope you share this joy with me :).

Connection

If you plan to stay in Portugal not for a couple of days, but a little longer, then I recommend that you purchase a local SIM card. The cheapest operator for communication with Russia is Lycamobile, but I personally did not use it.

There is, of course, the well-known Vodafone, but I am most familiar with MEO. I don’t know if there is something similar in Portugal now, but the company had a promotion last summer. They gave away SIM cards with unlimited Internet for free (honestly) to anyone under the age of 25. It is, of course, difficult to believe in this, but it turned out to be not a scam, and indeed the Internet worked without any restrictions. Of course, there is no money on the SIM card, and you should replenish the account balance yourself. But if you only needed the Internet, then it was generally perfect :).

You can, however, purchase a card for 9.9 € (and this money will already be on your SIM card). MEO provides several tourist-friendly rates, for example, for 10 € per month you can get unlimited calls and SMS within Portugal and 1 GB of internet. I think it's quite good if you need to communicate with your fellow travelers.

In Lisbon and other major cities, Internet and Wi-Fi are available in almost all intercity trains and buses, as well as catering, hotels, and sometimes found next to small stalls selling lemonade and ice cream. But already in less tourist places the situation is more complicated.

Language and communication

The official language of the country is Portuguese, but if suddenly you have knowledge of Spanish or French lying around, then it will help you out very, very much.

Yes, by the way, about Spanish :). Don't try to speak Portuguese by using [w] instead of [c], because phonetic differences aren't everything. However, most Portuguese do understand the language of the neighboring country quite well, and if they answer you in Portuguese, it is highly likely that if you speak Spanish, you will understand them.

The same goes for French. A lot of texts in public places are duplicated not only in Spanish, but also in French, and therefore, with knowledge of this language, you definitely will not be lost. And my friend Maria, who is fluent in Italian, spoke it in Portugal that year, and she was also answered in Portuguese, but everyone understood each other.

The situation with English is a little more difficult. The Portuguese speak it, but rather uncertainly, and therefore trying, for example, to communicate on it with a generation over 60 years old is usually pointless. English-speaking Portuguese are more common among middle-aged people, and young people, of course, speak the language almost fluently.

However, the Portuguese "fluency in English" is very different from, for example, Scandinavian, and not in favor of the first.

As for the Russian language, I have not met any Portuguese at all who even know “hello” or “thank you”. Although I'm lying. I know. But this Portuguese has a Russian wife, so it doesn't count.

In general, save our great and mighty one for traveling to other countries, and learn a few words in Portuguese yourself. They will be pleased :).

• Sim (sim) - Yes.
• Nao (nau) - No.
• Ola (olA) - Hello / Hello.
• Me chamo [name] (mi shamu) - My name is [name].
• Adeus (adezh) - Goodbye.
• Tchao (chow) - Bye.
• Por favor (porfavor) - Please.
• Obrigado (obrigado) / w.f. obrigada (obrigada) - Thank you.
• Desculpe (dishkUlpe) - Sorry.
• Nao falo portugues (Eu nau falu portugues) - I don't speak Portuguese.
• Quanto custa (kuAnta kUshta)? - How much is?

Features of the mentality

The Portuguese are friendly, welcoming and cheerful. It is easy to confuse them with the Spaniards, and those who have met the latter will easily imagine their western neighbors.

Not in the habits of the Portuguese to pass by someone's misfortune or show disrespect.

The Portuguese are those guys who will patiently stand at the traffic lights and wait until you decide to cross your path or not, or they will definitely ask what happened if your knee is broken or your face is crying. They are generally quite responsive and friendly, like most residents of the southern countries of Europe. Only here are very noisy :).

Food and drink

You do not need to be seven spans in your forehead to guess that the main supplier of food for Portugal was and remains the ocean. If you want to eat plenty of seafood, then you definitely need to take tickets to Portugal, and soon you will be satisfied with them for two lives ahead.

However, you should start from the beginning, that is, with snacks. In Portugal, as, for example, in Italy, the restaurant business is often a family business, and therefore the chef can easily come to you, advise the best dish for his taste and return to the kitchen with a satisfied look to fulfill your order.

By the way, the work of a waiter is also treated differently here: many have been in this position for many years and do not consider it something shameful, on the contrary, they like to please people, entertain them with conversations and take care of their convenience.

So, as you already understood, Portuguese restaurants are hospitable in and of themselves. As soon as you enter, as soon as you lie down on the table with paper tablecloths, you will already find a basket of hot bread next to you, a saucer of olives and black olives, a couple of jars of pate and something else that tastes like a restaurant. You have the right not to touch anything from the offer, and then you will not be included in the price of lunch, but be careful and honest: you have to pay for any pleasure, including a couple of olives eaten. However, the cost of these snacks is usually so low that it is not of particular importance for the total bill.

The menu usually looks quite simple, and this is a good introduction to the dishes themselves, because the main quality of Portuguese cuisine is simplicity. Where is the sophistication of France and Italy before what happens in the restaurants of Portugal.

Extremely simple food, but this does not make it less tasty, believe me. The side dishes of the Portuguese are quite monotonous and are more often a variation of cooking potatoes or rice.

The presence of vegetables on the plate is obligatory, and their Portuguese prefer not to serve them in salads (although it is worth paying tribute to the popular tuna salad), but separately. Fruits are usually not on the table at all, but, as you know, they should be eaten separately, so the Portuguese are certainly right here. As for the main dishes, then ... fried sardines, oysters in lemon juice, crab croquettes ... If you are already salivating at the mention of these dishes, then I do not understand what else you are doing at home.

However, for those who do not like fish (or are simply tired of it), there is always meat or poultry. Speaking of the latter, one cannot fail to mention the famous piri-piri. Chicken pieces are marinated in the sauce that gave the dish its name, and then fried or baked. The dish is quite spicy, so be careful :). The Portuguese love beef, goat meat, and pork. The latter even has its own special dairy pig restaurant in the Leiria district, a monument to which stands in the courtyard of the establishment.

Separately, it is worth mentioning desserts, because for me personally, indifferent to fish (in such quantity!) And meat, it was a real outlet. I absolutely dislike cardboard cakes, battered tiramisu and other popular desserts, and Portugal pleasantly surprised me.

The heavy summer heat has served as an excellent breeding ground for creating a wide variety of mousses and puddings, which are usually served cold. The Portuguese have them for all tastes: chocolate, lemon, mango, strawberry…

A special place in the heart of the Portuguese is occupied by the already mentioned pastel de nata. This is a very tasty and satisfying flour dish that can be eaten both hot and cold. Outwardly, it resembles neat bird nests filled with something from the inside. For me personally, this is one of the best desserts in the world :).

As for drinks, the Portuguese prefer all sorts of wines, ranging from the lightest and youngest, ending with dessert port. Alcohol in Portugal is inexpensive and tasty, and therefore, if you are not afraid to get drunk, you can safely taste and partake.

And, of course, the Portuguese, like all Europeans, are very fond of coffee and almost never drink tea. Usually this is my personal pain, because I just do not favor coffee, and tea is not even available everywhere.

I will finish the story about food with tips. Yes, it is customary in Portugal, but it is up to you. Usually the waiters are really friendly and polite, and therefore it is even nice to encourage their work.

Oh yes! And the last. The Portuguese serve everything in some fantastically huge portions, so do not rush, even if you are very hungry, to order more than one dish. Don't go. I'm sure. And if, nevertheless, you did something stupid and took so much that it no longer fits into you, or you just don’t want to eat too much, but you liked the dish, do not hesitate to ask to wrap it with you. Portugal is a simple country, and here it is completely normal.

shopping

Shopping in Portugal is just what the doctor ordered. Do you want to stock up properly for the coming season, but prices bite in Russia? Portugal will heal your wounds and dress you for life ahead. Majority famous brands in Portugal is much cheaper than what we see on the Moscow price tags.

It is best, of course, to buy clothes in Lisbon (although, while living in, I went to Leiria, and there I found everything I needed in the main shopping center).

Vacation with children

Frankly, it always seemed to me that for children of a more or less conscious age, any trip should be a great adventure, and therefore I even get lost when they ask me where it is best to relax in Portugal with children. Yes... everywhere! Children get the same impressions as adults, and in this country they will be in abundance.

However, I will try to remember a few places where you can have a good time for both children and their parents. Let me start with the oceanariums, of which, as I said, there are two in Portugal. The older one is located in Lisbon, and a few years ago another one opened in. Despite my ardent love for the capital of Portugal, for the first time I will give the palm. The Lisbon Oceanarium is good on its own, but it's interactive and fun for kids.

But there is a cool zoo in Lisbon (I already mentioned it above when I talked about the Set Rios bus station), and it is definitely worth a visit.

Of course, how can you avoid water parks. The most popular of them are in the Algarve, but one cannot help but recall the panoramic water park near Pombal and the water parks in Amarante and Peniche.

Many beaches in Portugal have animation, playgrounds, trampolines and unpretentious carousels.

Safety

I've heard rumors that there are people who confuse Brazil and Portugal a bit, who are sure that Portugal is some kind of criminal nest. So, I hasten to debunk such a myth, if anyone else has it. Portugal - ordinary southern European country. This is not with her phenomenal level of theft, but I do not recommend neglecting the standard security rules.

No need to carry precious things with you large sums money and, moreover, somewhere to leave them. Do not take anything beyond the bare necessities to the beach, lest you suddenly find that you cannot find your golden rings after building a sandcastle or swimming in the ocean.

No matter how ridiculous it sounds, do not get very close to the ocean with documents or equipment. I know at least one person who inadvertently left a bag with passports, his family's money on the shore and lost them in the blink of an eye, and in my case, for example, a sea wave attacked the phone in my hands and, of course, damaged its fine technical organization.

As for crime, big cities are big cities, and therefore one should always be careful there, but in small towns no one has heard of murders, robberies and violence for a long time. My friends, who have been living in Portugal for a long time, say that they easily let their children go late at night to visit friends and do not call a hundred times if they are late, because there is simply nothing to be afraid of.

5 things to do in this country

1. Firstly, you just need to fill up on seafood, because if you don’t live in the Far East, then we don’t have the ocean at hand, and all this is quite expensive. Once. And two - fresh seafood is much tastier than frozen :).
2. Secondly, get off the shore into the water and swim in order to be able to say: “And I swam in the ocean!”
3. In addition, go to Cape Roca (Cabo de Roca) and feel at the end of the world. After all, further is only the ocean and.
4. Oh yes. Well, listen to the fado. No, to be honest, I'm not personally a fan, but it's kind of like a standard minimum for any guest in Portugal.
5. And of course, go to Obidos, visit its medieval carnival, dress up as a gallant knight or his lady, eat rough and simple food, listen to cheerful folk music and drink ginji with a chocolate cup.

Nearby countries

Portugal has one neighbor, and her name is. Since ancient times, these two countries have had no easier relations than those of Germany and France, but it is all the more interesting to compare. Moreover, if you are cold in Portugal and want warm waves, then you should definitely rush to Spain for a couple of days.

From Lisbon to Barcelona some 1,259 kilometers, and therefore you can safely take a car and go east. Even faster you can get from Lisbon to Valencia. But it's faster to get to Madrid from. As I said before, traveling along the roads of Portugal along the coast and forests is pleasant in itself, and when another adventure lies ahead ...

But if this does not appeal to you, then the prices for a plane from Lisbon to Barcelona are quite adequate, and therefore you can save time by choosing an air flight. If you take tickets in advance, then you can fly there and back a little more than 60 €.

Have something to add?

Portugal is a charming country that can be called a quiet European province, where virgin nature serenely coexists with a developed tourist infrastructure, and respect for national customs coexists peacefully with pan-European traditions. Hospitality is one of the features of the national character of the Portuguese. Arriving here, you immediately feel that you are really welcome here. In addition, guests will be pleasantly surprised by the willingness of local residents to help in any situation, combined with the calm dignity, courtesy and restraint inherent in the style of communication of the Portuguese. Vast sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs against which the waves of the Atlantic Ocean break, gently sloping hills covered with greenery and mountain peaks, an abundance of flowers and red earth ...
Portugal is that rare land where everyone can find something for themselves: untouched landscapes, striking with amazing diversity, so atypical for a state with a small territory, and majestic monuments of the past - witnesses of the country's eight centuries of history.

Geography

A state in southwestern Europe, located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. In the north and east it borders with Spain. In the west and south it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira and the Azores are autonomous regions of Portugal. The total area of ​​Portugal, including the Azores (2335 sq. km) and Madeira Islands (794 sq. km) is 92082 sq. km. Portugal also owns an overseas territory - Macau in East Asia, located near Hong Kong. Most of the country's territory is mountainous, in the west and south the mountains turn into a vast coastal plain. The highest mountain range in Portugal, Serra da Estrela, reaches a height of up to 2000 m. The country is crossed by three large rivers that originate in Spain and flow into the Atlantic Ocean: Tagus (Tajo), at the mouth of which Lisbon is located; Douro (Duero) and Guardiana, which forms part of the country's eastern border. Capital Lisbon.

Time

Behind Moscow for 3 hours.

Climate

Portugal belongs to the subtropical climate zone. The nature of the weather is determined by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, which keeps the temperature in the country lower than at the same latitudes in the Mediterranean. The cold Canary Current also has a cooling effect. To a large extent, weather conditions are determined by relief. Several climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the country: northwestern with abundant rains, mild winters and short summers; the northeast with longer, cold, snowy winters and hot summers, and the south with a deficit of precipitation, long hot, dry summers and mild winters. Every year in all regions of Portugal, snow can fall, but a stable snow cover is not formed.

The coldest month is January. Its average temperature varies from +3 in the northeast of the country to +11.9 in the south. At the same time, the characteristic temperatures for night and day are +0.5 and +8 for the northern regions and +8 and +16 for the southernmost.

The average monthly temperature of the hottest months, July and August, varies from north to south from +19 to +23.4. During these months, the daily temperature in all regions exceeds +24 degrees, reaching +28.8 in the south. At night, the thermometer drops to +10 in the north and up to +16..18 in the south.

Most of the precipitation falls during the cold season. In the mountains in the north, almost everywhere, more than 1000 mm of precipitation falls annually. Their greatest number is noted on the slopes of the Serra da Estrela, the top of which is covered with snow in November-May. On the plains of Central and Southern Portugal, the annual precipitation is 400-800 mm, and along the southern coast in some places it drops to 300 mm. The driest months are July and August. Portugal is the country with the largest number of sunny days in Europe. In the southern regions, the number of sunny hours per year reaches 3000.

The swimming season on the west coast lasts only three months, but even during this period swimming is not for everyone - the water temperature is about +18. The water warms up more near the southern coast (up to +21), where the bulk of the resort towns are concentrated. The best time for a beach holiday on the mainland of Portugal is from July to September, when the water temperature reaches +19...21. In general, the climate of Portugal is very favorable, and it can be visited at any time. It is interesting to visit the country in February, when the Carnival takes place.

Language

The official language is Portuguese, but Spanish and English are also spoken.

Religion

Most of the population of Portugal (94%) professes Catholicism, and various areas of Protestantism are also represented. There are Jewish communities in Lisbon and Porto (200 thousand people). About 5% of the country's inhabitants recognize themselves as atheists.

Population

The population of the country, including the Azores and Madeira, is 10.56 million people. About 70% of the country's population is concentrated in the coastal zone. The urban population predominates. The most typical for Portugal are small towns with a population of no more than 10 thousand people. Nationally, the population of Portugal is homogeneous. 99% are Portuguese, whose language belongs to the Romance group. The basis of the Portuguese ethnic group are the Lusitans, one of the ancient Iberian tribes.

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz.

Emergency Phones

In case of emergency - 115 (from anywhere in the country, at any time of the day). In the event of a traffic accident, use the nearest (orange) telephone 308, ambulance, police, fire brigade - 112, help desk - 118.

Connection

For automatic telephone communication with Portugal, the country code (351) is dialed, then the city (area) code and the number of the called party. When calling from Portugal itself to the islands, "0" is added to the local code. There are many Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the country. GPRS-roaming is offered by the main Russian operators. Regular access can be obtained from Internet cafes in major cities. Some post offices also provide access. The easiest way is to call from a pay phone that works with "CREDITOFONE" cards, a call from a bar, restaurant or hotel will cost 3-4 times more. Tariffs are reduced after 22.00, and for international calls - after 20.00.

Currency exchange

The local currency is Escudo. 1 escudo = 100 centavos. There are coins in denominations from 1 (there are even 2.50) centavos to 200. Banknotes - from 500 to 10,000. The exchange rate is approximately $ 1 = 188 PTE.
It is more convenient to exchange money at the Lisbon airport, where the exchange rate is always high. In banks and hotels, the exchange rate is lower, and they will charge more for the exchange. Hand trading in dollars is not practiced. In many stores, payment can be made in dollars. Almost everywhere you can pay with credit cards. At every step, even in small towns, there are ATMs, however, as a rule, $50 and $100 bills are not exchanged, and the exchange rate is not favorable. Banks are open on weekdays until 15-17 hours.

Visa

A Schengen visa is required to enter Portugal. The usual time for processing documents at the embassy is up to 2 weeks.

Customs regulations

The import of foreign and national currency in cash and traveler's checks is not limited. However, if the amount of imported foreign currency exceeds EUR 4987.98, it must be declared. The export of the national currency from the country is limited - the amount should not exceed 498.80 euros. There are no restrictions on the export of foreign currency, however, if the amount exceeds 4987.98 euros, a certificate from the exchange office may be required. Duty-free importation of personal belongings and food is allowed in Portugal, in the amount necessary for personal consumption; cigarettes - 200 pcs., strong drinks - 1 l, strong wine - 2 l, dry - 2 l. It is forbidden to import drugs, gold in the form of ingots, coins, plates without the permission of the country's bank, illegally published printed materials. Upon import, weapons, antiquities and art, items made of precious metals are subject to mandatory customs inspection.

Holidays and non-working days

New Year - January 1
Carnival Tuesday - February/March - the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent
Good Friday - March/April - Holy Week Friday
Freedom Day - April 25 - anniversary of the 1974 revolution
Labor Day - May 1
Corpus Christi - May/June - ninth Thursday after Easter
Portugal Day - June 10
Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin - August 15
Republic Day - October 5 - the anniversary of the proclamation in 1910 of the Republic of Portugal
All Saints Day - November 1
Independence Day - December 1 - the anniversary of the declaration of independence from Spain in 1640
Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8
Christmas - December 25

Transport

The main urban modes of transport are buses and trams, there is a metro in Lisbon and Porto, and several lifts operate in the capital. Bus and tram fares vary depending on the distance. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the kiosk or from the driver (which is more expensive). A city bus ticket is valid for two trips and costs about 50 cents. The fare on the subway will cost 45 cents if you buy a ticket from the cashier, and 40 cents if you take a ticket from a machine. Portugal has a system of tourist passes for urban transport (bus, tram and metro, also valid for funiculars), which are available at many railway stations and metro stations. When traveling by taxi in the city, the fee is charged by the meter, and outside it - by mileage, including the return trip to the place of departure. All cities are connected by excellent bus service (comfortable and inexpensive). You can also travel by plane of one of the domestic airlines - TAP Air Portugal or Portugalia. There is also an airline Azores SATA.

Tips

Portugal is one of the few countries where taking and giving tips is not customary.

The shops

Shops in Portugal are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturday most of them close at 13:00. There are no lunch breaks in supermarkets. Shopping centers large cities also work on weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 22:00 - 23:00. TAX FREE system operates in Portuguese stores. If you take a receipt for the goods, then the value added tax will be refunded at the airport. This service is valid if your stay in the country does not exceed 3 months.

National cuisine

Favorite dishes of the Portuguese are sardines, tuna (although it is too expensive for the layman), salted cod, crab croquettes and other seafood. Portuguese cuisine is rich in sauces. Rice is widely used in Portuguese cuisine, not only as a side dish for second courses, but also as a dessert - with milk and eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon or lemon peel. Portuguese cabbage soup is interesting - almost the same as Russian ones, they are called "caldo verde" (caldo verde). It can also be translated as "hot green", which is home to the foothills near the Minho River. Known for its cheeses, fruits and olive oils, Beira Baixa (lower coast) offers travelers a simple but very tasty menu, such as pumpkin soup with beaten egg and "coelho com carqueja", which is eaten for dessert "tijolada" ( sweet cream) and migas doses. In Cuimbra, among the typical dishes, you can find soup with broccoli, soup with eels (ensopada de enguias), suckling pig and among the richest selection of sweets - "ovos moles", the famous dessert from Aveiro, based on sugar, eggs and cinnamon.

As a rule, the menu of a Portuguese restaurant includes the main local dish: "Tripesh a moda do Porto" or "Beef giblets from Porto". The most delicious Atlantic fish served on the table on the Portuguese coast is robalo - wolf perch. Very popular is caldeirada - a thick stew like soup made from different types of fish and other seafood, which is cooked in a cataplana - a special copper dish.

Of the fruits, pineapples from the Azores and bananas from Madeira are especially tasty. Portugal serves a wide variety of desserts, among which the unique almond cake - bolo de amendoa stands out. In Portugal, inexpensive wines are traditionally served for dinner. It is especially worth trying the famous Portuguese port wine.

sights

Monastery of Hieronymites(Hieronymites) (Mosteiro Jeronimos), located in the Belem district of Lisbon, Portugal. This magnificent monastery is considered one of the most important monuments of Lisbon and is certainly one of the most successful achievements of the Manueline architectural style in Portugal. In 1983, the monastery was classified by UNESCO, with its neighboring Torre de Belem, as a World Heritage Site.

Queluz National Palace(Portuguese: Nacional de Queluz Palacio), an 18th century Portuguese palace located in Queluz, in the modern municipality of Sintra, in the Lisbon region. One of the last large Rococo buildings to be developed in Europe. The palace was conceived as a summer residence for Don Pedro Braganza (Dom Pedro Braganza). One wing of the palace, the Dona Maria Pavilion, built between 1785 and 1792 by architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa, is now a small hotel that houses foreign heads of state visiting Portugal.

Monastery of Alcobaça(Portuguese: Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaca) is a medieval monastery located in the city of Alcobaça, in central Portugal. The monastery was founded by the first Portuguese King, Alfonso Henriques, in 1153, and has maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout the history of the country. The church and monastery were the first Gothic buildings in Portugal, and, together with Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, it was one of the most important medieval monasteries in Portugal. Due to its artistic and historical importance, the monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1989.

No visitor misses tower of bethlehem St. Vincent - the original fortification, recognizable at first sight. Named after a saint who is considered the patron saint of Lisbon, the tower has long been a symbol of the city. Like a mighty galleon, she stands in the waters of the Tagus River, facing the Atlantic Ocean, whose endless waters begin very close by.

Mafra National Palace- a monumental palace - a monastery in the style of Baroque and Italianized Neoclassicism, located in the suburbs of Lisbon, Mafra, in Portugal. Its size is so huge that it overshadows the city. The palace-monastery is said to be Portugal's original attempt to compete with Spain's Escorial Palace, located on the outskirts of Madrid, in Spain. The palace, which also served as a Franciscan monastery, was built during the reign of King John V (1707-1750). This sprawling complex is one of the most striking examples of palatial Baroque buildings in Portugal. The palace was built symmetrically to the central axis occupied by the basilica and continues longitudinally through the main façade to the two main towers. The buildings of the convent are located behind the main facade. The building also includes the main library, with approximately 40,000 rare books. The basilica is adorned with several Italian statues and includes six historic organs and two sets of 92 bells.

Magnificent St. George's castle- one of the symbols of Portugal. The castle is more than a thousand years old, and many historical events are associated with it. The castle is very ancient and has a long history. More than once he was a witness and participant in many historical events. The castle played the role of not only an important fortress, but also a port, due to its favorable location.

Resorts

lisbon riviera Costa do Sol("Sunny Beach") is a whole strip of resorts stretching from the mouth of the Tagus River to the north along the Atlantic coast. Starting from Carcavelos, sandy beaches in the Cascais region give way to sheer rocky shores surrounded by pine groves. This is an aristocratic area with numerous green villas, hotels and well-groomed golf courses, small secluded beaches and many small picturesque villages.

World famous Cascais is the largest center of tourism and shopping on the coast. Attractive is the "old town" with a lively pedestrian zone, numerous cafes and restaurants, an autodrome, a beautiful city park and the castle of the Aristocrat, the Condes de Castro Guimaraes Museum, the Maritime Museum, the churches of the Assumption and Nossa Señora doug Navegantes (XVIII century BC). ), the chapels of Nossa Senhora da Guia (XV century) and San Sebastian (XVI-XVII centuries), the fortress of the XVII century, as well as the area of ​​​​the sand dunes of Guinsha with Praia do Guincho beach - this is a real paradise for windsurfers.

The main resort area of ​​Portugal - Algarve. This is an almost continuous strip of beaches, stretching from east to west from Monte Gordo to Lagos (about 150 km.) And protected from the north winds by mountain ranges. The western part of the coast is famous for its amazingly beautiful rocky beaches, while the eastern part is quite flat and has excellent sandy coasts. Algarve - perfect place for active and beach recreation, there are all conditions for sports throughout the year. The most popular are golf, lawn tennis and all water sports, as well as horse riding and athletics.

Madeira("forest", port.) - an archipelago of volcanic origin. Mountain terraces ("balconies") rise from the coast to the central peak of Santana (1861 m.), which creates a unique landscape of the island. Sheer ocean cliffs, rock pools, levada irrigation canals, tiny beaches and eucalyptus groves, almost untouched flora and fauna, extinct volcano craters and lava fields, an abundance of waterfalls, mountain rivers and streams make Madeira's landscape even more picturesque. Here expanse for lovers of fishing and hunting (from September to December), golf and trekking, windsurfing and diving. Tuna and pygmy shark hunting, tennis and horseback riding, the world-famous Madeira and excellent cuisine are very popular, but the most important thing in Madeira is nature, beaches and unusually clean air.

On the Azores The recreation infrastructure is still rather poorly developed, but every year more and more guests visit these rocky islands in search of peace and solitude.

Portimao, the second largest city in the province, is proud of its famous beaches of Alvor, Tres Irmaos and Praia da Rocha with the fortress of Santa Catarina de Ribamar, as well as the cathedral (XIV century), the Colegio church, the Roman ruins of the Villa Abicada (IV c.), numerous fish restaurants and the Algarve casino. 66 km. from Faro, halfway to Portimão, lie the ruins of the ancient necropolis of Alcalar (1600 BC) and the ruins of Roman settlements. Amazing landscapes of the resort Carvoeiro(60 km. from Faro) with bizarre rocks, grottoes and caves entered many advertising brochures about the country.

Founded by the Romans Estoril From time immemorial it has been a place of exile for crowned persons, and now it is a fashionable resort with many beaches, ancient churches, a lot of restaurants, shops and one of the largest casinos in Europe. Estoril is famous for its ancient fortresses on the rocks washed by the waters of the Atlantic - the Citadel and Boca de Inferno (Devil's fortress) are considered the hallmark of the Costa do Sol. Halfway from Cascais to Sintra lies the westernmost point of Europe - Cape Roca (Cabo da Roca), having visited which you can get a certificate of visiting the westernmost point of the mainland and see the famous stele at an altitude of 140 m above sea level. In a storm, huge waves rise above the rocks, scattering into hundreds of rainbows and creating an unforgettable picture of these legendary places.

The Republic of Portugal is a small state with a warm climate, picturesque nature and rich history. This is the westernmost country in Europe, on the territory of which one of extreme points mainland Eurasia. What is the geographic location of Portugal? You will find photos and descriptions of the main features of the country in our article.

"Warm port"

Portugal covers an area of ​​only 92.151 km 2 and ranks 109th in the world in terms of size. As an integral and independent country, it appeared on the world stage in 1143, turning from a county into a kingdom.

Due to the peculiarities of the geographical position of Portugal, its territory has never been empty and has been inhabited since before our era. At various times, Lusitanians, Romans, Visigoths and even Arabs lived within it. The location on the coast contributed to the development of the state as an important seaport at the crossroads of trade routes between continents. Even the name of the country comes from the Roman name of the settlement Portus Cale, which is translated from Latin as “Warm Port”.

In the era of the great geographical discoveries, it was from Portugal that the first trade and research expeditions went towards Africa, Asia, North and South America. The navigators of this country discovered Brazil, and Saint Helena, Mauritius, the Tristan de Cunha archipelago, Madagascar, opened the sea route to Japan. Later, the Portuguese kingdom owned dozens of colonies in Africa, the North Atlantic, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf.

Today the country is a parliamentary republic. It is home to 10.3 million people. In terms of the number of inhabitants, Portugal surpasses Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, but is inferior to them in economic development. It is part of the Schengen area, is a member of NATO, the UN, the EU, the OECD and the Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Geographic location of Portugal (briefly)

Portugal is located in the southwestern part of Eurasia, occupying one sixth of the Iberian Peninsula. It also includes several islands located in the waters of the Atlantic. Madeira Island is 600 km away, and the Azores - 1500 km.

The geographical position of the country of Portugal on the mainland is characterized by isolation. Of all European states on land, it borders only on Spain, which occupies the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. From the west and south, Portugal is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and related to it. On the other side of the gulf, about 250-300 kilometers from the country, is Morocco.

Portugal is strongly elongated from north to south. In this direction, its length is 550 kilometers. From west to east, it is much more compact and, on average, its width reaches 180 kilometers. About 40 kilometers from Lisbon is Cape Roca - the westernmost point of Eurasia.

Due to its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar and Portugal, it has always been considered strategically important. That is why its territory is used as a springboard for NATO military bases, in particular on one of the Azores - Terceira. The city of Oyeres, near Lisbon, hosts the headquarters of the NATO Allied Forces.

1. Portugal is considered a mono-ethnic country, almost 90% of its inhabitants are ethnic Portuguese.
2. There are Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, Buddhists in the country, but 90% of its inhabitants profess the Catholic religion.
3. Colonial times have not gone unnoticed. Today, 8 more countries speak Portuguese: Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, East Timor, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe.
4. American surfer Garret McNamare in 2011 conquered the biggest wave in Portugal with a height of 23.77 meters. The achievement is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
5. According to international law in marketing, the title "port wine" can only refer to those drinks that are produced using a special technology in the Douro Valley near the city of Porto.
6. Lisbon is home to the oldest bookstore in the world, Livraria Bertrand, which opened in 1732.

Climate

The geographical position of Portugal is one of the most significant factors affecting its natural and weather conditions. Its entire territory lies within the subtropical zone, an area of ​​the Mediterranean type of climate.

Canary runs along the whole west coast country. It makes the climate cooler and the weather more unpredictable than in the rest of the Mediterranean. Despite this, the average temperature of the coast of Portugal is +20 ˚С.

In winter, a lot of snow falls on the territory of the country. However, the lack of significant disadvantages does not allow him to linger for a long time. Most precipitation falls in the mountains and mainly in the winter months. Summer is quite dry. The driest months of the year are August and July.

Nature of Portugal

The marginal, frontier geographical position of Portugal is fully reflected in its natural complexes. Two worlds seem to have merged in the country: Central European and North African. This is expressed both in landscapes and in representatives of the local fauna.

In the north and in the central parts of Portugal there are mountains and forests, consisting mainly of conifers. It grows mainly pines, but there are oaks and eucalyptus plantations. Animals are represented by wild boars, Iberian lynxes and wolves, foxes, bears, wild forest cats.

The south of Portugal is dominated by rolling plains covered with evergreen hard-leaved shrubs. In this part, there are desert and semi-desert species close to African ones, for example, lizards, chameleons, vivers, genets, and various snakes.

The coast of Portugal is slightly indented and disturbed only by the estuaries of the rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. In the north, mountains come close to low-lying sandy beaches, in the south there are many lagoons and small bays. Many water birds live on the shores of the country, and the waters washing them are inhabited by dolphins, sperm whales, mollusks, shrimps, anchovies and sardines.

Economy

Traditionally, Portugal is an industrial-agrarian country, the main focus of which is on the clothing, cotton, wool industries, the production of port wine, olive oil and canned fish. Recently, tourism and the service sector have gained great importance.

The country has about 600 thousand hectares of oak plantations - the source of almost half of the world's cork bark. The eucalyptus groves of Portugal are an important source of raw materials for the paper industry. In addition, uranium, tungsten, pyrites, coal are mined in the country, cement, facing tiles, petrochemical products are produced, and ships are built.

Despite the advantage, Portugal in 2017 was about 43rd in terms of GDP at PPP among the countries of the world. In Europe, it is inferior not only to Switzerland and Austria, but also to Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Estonia. The local market is closely connected with the Spanish state in the transport, banking and energy sectors. The development of business and the inflow of investments are largely hindered by strict regulation by the state.

Cities

Due to the peculiarities of the geographical position of Portugal, its largest cities are located on the coast. The country's largest population centers are Lisbon and Porto. Both of them are included in the list of global cities and are key elements of world trade and economy.

Approximately 550,000 people live in Lisbon (about 2.3 million in the agglomeration). It is the capital of Portugal, as well as the largest port, transport and economic hub of the state. It is one of the oldest European cities and was first mentioned as early as 205 BC.

About 220,000 people live in Porto (about 2 million in the agglomeration). In the past, it was he who was the capital of Portugal, but now the city is simply a major industrial center and port. It is best known for the production of port wine. The old city center is a cultural treasure and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.