June 28, 2003

Official name: Portuguese Republic
Area: 92,000 sq km
Population: 9,869,000
Capital: Lisbon
Currency: Escudo
Language: Portuguese
Major cities: Porto, Coimbra, Amadora, Setzbal, Guarde, Portalegre
Independence Day: October 5, 1910

Major exports: Textiles, clothing, footwear, pulp and waste paper, wood and cork manufactures, tinned fish, electrical equipment, wine, refined petroleum.

The country is situated in southwestern Europe, with the Atlantic Ocean towards the north and Spain towards the east.

Physical features
Mountains and rivers form the borders of Portugal. Serra da Estrela in Central Portugal rising to 6,500 feet is the highest range of the country. Three rivers namely the Tagus, the Douro and the Guadiana cross the country. They arise in Spain and empty into Atlantic Ocean. River Minho forms part of the northern border with Spain.

Climate
The mean annual temperature in most parts of the country lies between 10 to 18°C. High temperatures occur in the low south regions. Average annual rainfall is about 1,400mm and as low as 500mm in the coastal areas.

People
Portugal is one of the most homogeneous countries in Europe, having physical characteristics common to circum-Mediterranean people. Portuguese in general have brown eyes, dark wavy hair, and pallid or brunet skin.

Religion
Freedom of religion is guaranteed. More than 95 per cent of Portugal’s population is Roman Catholic. Jews and the Muslims form the major minorities.

Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport. Roller-skating, hockey, and horseback riding are also enjoyed. Water sports, golf courses and leisure complexes offering tennis and other sports draws quite a number of players. Bullfights draw a large number of spectators.

Wildlife
The animals constituting the wild life of Portugal are grey wolf, fallow deer, Eurasian badger, red squirrel, small spotted genet, wild boar, Pardel lynx, red fox, wildcat and Eurasian otter.

The wild birds found here are European robin, song thrush, hoopoe, osprey, long-eared owl, peregrine falcon, blue tit, golden oriole, European nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker.

Government
The constitution revised in 1982, provides for a president, elected for a five-year term, and a single-chamber 230-member assembly, elected through a party list system of proportional representation and serving a four-year term. The president, an active politician rather than a figurehead, appoints a prime minister who chooses a council of ministers. The prime minister and council of ministers are answerable to the assembly.

Diet
The staple foods in Portugal include fish, vegetables, and fruits. Bacalhau, one of the national dishes, can be cooked in 365 different ways. It is made up of dried, salted cod served with potatoes and green vegetables. Grilled or barbecued Sardhinas (Sardines) are another favourite. A popular dish is cozido a portuguesa, a stew that contains potatoes, many vegetables, rice, and various meats. Other favourites are frango na pucara (chicken cooked in a pot), or cabidela, which is chicken with rice cooked in chicken blood. Other common meats include pork, partridge, quail, and rabbit.

Agriculture
The main crops grown in Portugal are cereals (wheat, barley, corn and rice), potatoes, grapes (for wine), olives, and tomatoes. Portugal is the world’s largest exporter of tomato paste. Most of the mountainous areas are well suited to forestry, and forest products (cork, resins, and pine and eucalyptus timber).

History
2nd century BC: Romans conquered Iberian Peninsula.

5th century AD: Iberia overrun by Vandals and Visigoths.

711: Visigoth kingdom overthrown by Muslims.

997-1064: Christians resettled in northern area.

1139: Afonso I, son of Henry of Burgundy, defeated Muslims; the area became an independent kingdom.

1340: Final Muslim invasion crushed.

1373: Anglo-Portuguese alliance signed.

15th century: Age of exploration; Portuguese mariners surveyed coast of Africa, opened sea route to India (Vasco da Gama), and reached Brazil (Pedro Cabral).

16th century: Golden Age; Portugal flourished as a commercial and colonial power.

1580: Philip II of Spain took over the throne of Portugal.

1640: Spanish rule overthrown in a bloodless coup; Duke of Braganza proclaimed as King John IV.

1668: Spain recognized Portuguese independence.

1755: Lisbon devastated by earthquake.

1807: Napoleonic France invaded Portugal; Portuguese court fled to Brazil.

1807-11: In the Peninsular War British forces played a leading role in liberating Portugal from the French.

1820: Liberal revolution forced King John VI to return from Brazil and accept a constitutional government.

1822: Brazil declared independence; first Portuguese constitution adopted.

1826: First constitution replaced by a more conservative one.

1828: Dom Miguel blocked succession of his niece, Queen Maria, and declared himself absolute monarch; civil war ensued between liberals and conservatives.

1834: Queen Maria regained throne with British, French, and Brazilian help; constitutional government restored.

Late 19th century: Government faced severe financial difficulties; rise of socialist, anarchist, and republican parties.

1908: Assassination of King Carlos I.

1910: Portugal became a republic after a three-day insurrection forced King Manuel II to flee.

1911: New regime adopted liberal constitution, but the republic proved unstable and corrupt.

1916-18: Portugal fought in World War I on the allied side.

1926-51: Popular military coup installed Gen Antsnio de Fragoso as president.

1928: Antsnio de Salazar became finance minister and introduced successful reforms.

1932: Salazar became prime minister with dictatorial powers.

1949: Portugal became founding member of NATO.

1968: Salazar retired; succeeded by Marcello Caetano.

1974: Army seized power to end stalemate situation in African colonial wars; Gen Ants Ribeiro de Spmnola became president; succeeded by Gen Francisco da Costa Gomes.

1975: Portuguese colonies achieved independence; Gomes narrowly averted communist coup.

1976: First free elections in 50 years resulted in minority government under socialist leader Mario Soares; Gen Antsnio Ramahlo Eanes won presidency.

1980: Francisco Balsemao (PSD) formed centre-party coalition.

1986: Soares became first civilian president in 60 years; Portugal joined European Community.

1989: Social Democrat government started to dismantle socialist economy and privatize major industries.

1996: Jorge Sampaio (PS) elected president.

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