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COUNTRY INFO

Portugal is a country in southern Europe. The mainland is located at the extreme southwest of the Iberian Peninsula and has an area of 91.985 square kilometres. It is bounded to north and east by Spain and to west and south by the Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese territory also includes the archipelagoes of the Azores and Madeira. The Madeira archipelago lies in the Atlantic Ocean about 556 miles southwest of Lisbon and is constituted by the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and Selvagens. The Azores archipelago lies in the Atlantic Ocean 760 miles from Lisbon and 2110 from New York. It is constituted by nine islands and a few islets: Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo.

Capital City: Lisbon

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LISBON

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has approximately two million inhabitants counting those in the city's outskirts. The history of Lisbon goes back more than twenty centuries. As well as being a modern and cosmopolitan city, Lisbon also shows the typical life of the old quarters, with distinctive medieval architecture, narrow streets where the old houses stand side by side with old palaces and imposing churches.

Lisbon has been the scene for some international cultural festivals and in 1998 hosted the last World Exposition of the century - EXPO 98 (http://www.expo98.pt) - of which the subject was "The Oceans: a heritage for the future".

At the mouth of the river Douro is the country's second largest city, Porto, with an historic centre recently classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Much of the city's reputation comes from the wine that bears the same name (Port wine). Porto has strong typical characteristics and is known for the dynamic nature of its business and cultural life.

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TOPOLOGY

Portugal's terrain is mountainous north of the Tagus River, and rolling plains in the south.

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BRIEF HISTORY

The foundation of Portugal dates back to the year 1143. The stability of its continental borders, which have remained virtually unchanged since the thirteenth century, make Portugal one of the oldest nations in the world, reflecting its distinctive identity and internal unity.

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

In the third quarter of the eighteenth century Portugal began its modernization. In the light of economic interventionism and cultural enlightenment the State structures were reorganized and its trade and industry restructured.

In the transition to the nineteenth century the winds of change blowing from America and France reached Portugal putting an end to the traditional monarchy in 1820 and leading to the independence of Brazil and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Portugal.

The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by an unstable political environment which led to the establishment of the Republic in 1910. Portugal took part in the I World War alongside the Allies but by the mid-twenties the country's economic and financial situation was very serious, situation that eventually brought about the so called "New State" marked by corporatism and authoritarianism, with democratic liberties being suppressed.

In April 1974, following a military coup, Portugal again saw the establishment of a democratic regime. Firmly committed, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies in 1975. In 1985, Portugal acceded to the European Economic Community (EEC).

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POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

The government type is parliamentary democracy with the president as the chief of state, and the prime minister as the head of government. The cabinet calles the 'Council of Ministers' are appointed by the president on the rcommendation of the prime minister.

There is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president.

The legislative branch consists of the unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats); members of which are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.

The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica; the judges of which, are appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura.

Portugal has several administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu.

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CURRENCY & ECONOMICS

The currency unit is the Euro.

Currency regulations
Importation of foreign currency, gold and gold coins is free and unlimited. Banknotes more that $ 1000 (U.S.) must be declared at customs.
Economy

Portugal's accession to the European Union was an historic landmark in the development of the Portuguese economy. There has been a progressive opening of the Portuguese economy to the outside world since 1988 with the attendant increase in the average growth rate of GDP as the result of increases in consumption, investment, public expenditure and exports.

The increase in consumption is due to greater supply and greater purchasing power. Direct foreign investment contributed greatly to the increased investment. Public expenditure grew with the structural funds whilst exports increased due to the greater openness of the European markets.

Portugal is an upcoming capitalist economy with a per capita GDP two-thirds that of the four big West European economies. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and joined with 10 other European countries in launching the euro on 1 January 1999. The year 2000 was marked by moderation in growth, inflation, and unemployment. The country continues to run a sizable trade deficit. The government is working to reform the tax system, to modernize capital plant, and to increase the country's competitiveness in the increasingly integrated world markets. Growth is expected to fall off slightly in 2001. Improvement in the education sector is critical to the long-run catch-up process.

Portugal's prime agriculture products include wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes, beef and dairy products.

Export commodities include clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides to either Germany, Spain, France, UK, Netherlands, Benelux, Italy, UK, or the USA.

Import commodities include machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products to either Spain, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Netherlands, US or Japan.

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CLIMATE

Generally speaking, Portugal has a temperate climate with average daily temperatures ranging between 8 and 18 degrees centigrade in winter, and 16 and 30 degrees centigrade in summer. However, at certain times of the year there are sharp differences between north and south and the coastal and inland temperatures.

The north has a higher rainfall and lower annual average temperatures but the greater temperature ranges are to be found inland. The Mediterranean influence is clearly felt south of the Tagus with long, hot summers and short, fairly dry winters. Madeira has a Mediterranean-type climate with mild, pleasant temperatures all year round, whilst the Azores have a temperate maritime climate with heavy rainfall.

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