Portugal occupies the western part of the Iberian Peninsula and is slightly smaller than Indiana. The country is crossed by three large rivers that rise in Spain, flow into the Atlantic, and divide the country into three geographic areas. The Minho River, part of the northern boundary, cuts through a mountainous area that extends south to the vicinity of the Douro River. South of the Douro, the mountains slope to the plains around the Tejo River. The remaining division is the southern one of Alentejo. The Azores stretch over 340 mi (547 km) in the Atlantic and consist of nine islands with a total area of 902 sq mi (2,335 sq km). Madeira, consisting of two inhabited islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and two groups of uninhabited islands, lie in the Atlantic about 535 mi (861 km) southwest of Lisbon.
Climate and Weather
The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers. In the south, summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn. High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
Population
In the 2007 census, the population was 10,642,836 of which 52% was female, 48% was male. The country is fairly homogeneous linguistically and religiously. Native Portuguese are ethnically a combination of pre-Celts, Celts, and the Lusitanians, along with some other minor contributions by Phoenicians, Romans, Germanic (Visigoths, Suebi, Buri), Alans, some Jews and Moors (mostly Berbers and some Arabs).
Transportation
The international airports are Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada (Azores). Throughout the country there are a number of small airports with limited facilities. There is the national network of "Rodoviária Nacional" (RN), and competing private operators who run quick non-stop services on the more popular routes and often to destinations not covered by train. Only the capital city Lisbon has a Metro system but one is under construction in Porto. In all major towns there are a number of companies providing rent a car service. Also, in major airports there are a selection of companies from whom to choose. The Portuguese railway system is State owned and has the name of "Caminhos de Ferro Portuguese (CP)". The system provides a very reasonably priced transport within the country. Major lines are fast, efficient and comfortable.
Top Attractions
1. Castelo de Sao Jorge.
2. Alfama.
3. Sé (Cathedral).
4. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
5. The Bairro Alto.
6. Monument to the Discoveries.
7. Tower of Belem.
8. Parque das Nacoes.
9. Fatima.
10. Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis.
Best Travel Time
The best time of year to visit Portugal is in the late spring, early summer, or early fall. Of course, it depends on what part of Portugal you are traveling to, but here are some general guidelines:
The weather in Portugal is fairly warm all year, but visiting in the height of summer will mean HOT weather, and visiting in the dead of winter will mean cooler weather and rain.
In general the north of Portugal is much cooler than the south and experiences more rainfall throughout the year. The best time of year to visit the north of Portugal is summer, while the south is best visited in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• Sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked and served with wine).
• Caldo verde (green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth).
• Bacalhau (dried cod, cooked in over 100 different ways).
• Caldeirada is a fish stew with as many as nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes.
• Carne de porco á Alentejana, in which bits of fried pork are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions.
• Puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding), Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard).
National drinks:
• Portuguese wines have changed beyond recognition over the past 10 years. Many of these new, modern wines are indigenous varieties with distinctive flavors. Sparkling rosé wines are mostly produced for export.
• Mateus Rosé is a famous lightweight rosé.
• Portuguese brandies are also good; the best are produced around Porto, where port wines originate.
Local Products/Shopping
Items include leather goods, copper, ceramics, handcrafted silver and gold, embroidery and tapestry, woodcarving, cork products, porcelain and china, crystal and glassware.
Travel Resource
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1. Castelo de Sao Jorge.
The best time of year to visit Portugal is in the late spring, early summer, or early fall. Of course, it depends on what part of Portugal you are traveling to, but here are some general guidelines: