PORTUGAL

Situated in south-eastern Europe, Portugal stretches in the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America, and is bordered only by Spain. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.

It covers a total area of 92,389 square kilometres, islands included.

About 10,500,000 inhabitants, mainly living in big cities such as Lisbon and Porto.

The capital city is Lisbon. It is an hospitable city of the sea with about two millions inhabitants, considering also the people residing in the nearby areas.

Coimbra, Lisbon, Porto and Lagos.

International Airport of Porto Santo - Porto Santo.

Due to its peculiar geographic position, the westernmost country of the old continent developed quite slowly and with difficulties because of economical problems and a constant political unsteadiness. Portugal remained for many years under the Arab and Roman rule and could finally achieve its independence only during the XII century. In the course of the centuries, the Portuguese realized the importance of the sea and started their explorations, resulting in the discovery of the Indian trade route. In 1497 Vasco de Gama finally reached the southern part of India throwing lustre on the crown of Manuel I. Such a discovery was a real turning point for Portugal, which became one of the richest, wealthiest and most respected country in the world. The following settlements in Timor Island, China and Japan further consolidated the power of the Portuguese monarchy. But fame and prosperity soon faded away. By the end of the XVI century and in the beginning of the XVII century the Portuguese colonial empire started inexorably to decline. In the late 1700 Portugal supported England in its battle against France, thus starting its course toward democracy and to its current form. Its political unsteadiness culminated in a 48-year-long dictatorship and in the 1974 revolution. But after such an uncertain period Portugal succeeded in achieving a political and economical stability and in 1986 joined the European Community.

The 5th of October, Anniversary of the Republic - It was declared in 1910.

Sovereign Republic since 1910.

The official language is Portuguese.

Portugal is a laic country with no state religion, where freedom of worship is constitutionally guaranteed. The most professed faith is Roman Catholicism (95%) but Anglicans, Evangelists, Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses are present, too.

The time zone is one hour behind Italy, while in the Azores archipelago it is two hours behind.

Portugal is a member state of the European Union and joined the Schengen Treaty for the free movement of persons. EU citizens may therefore visit the country just producing their identity card valid for expatriation.

The country's monetary unit is the Euro.

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The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

No vaccination is required to visit Portugal.

Due to its geographic position, the Portuguese climate may be classified as Atlantic in the north, featured by abundant rainfalls, and Mediterranean in the south, where the climate is milder and with less precipitations thanks to the low latitude. 
 
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The voltage is 220v.

To call Italy from Portugal just dial the country code for Italy 0039, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call (for example: to call a fixed net telephone number in Milan just dial 0039 02 12 .... ; to call a mobile phone number just dial 0039 393 92...).
To call Portugal from Italy, dial the country code for Portugal 00351, followed by the number you wish to call. Since in Portugal there are no interurban area codes, the number you wish to call could start with 2. The GSM network works perfectly in the whole country, therefore our mobile phones may be used here. As phone tariffs vary according to the service provider, it is advisable to get informed about costs before the departure, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises at home.
Checking or sending e-mails will not be a problem. Each hotel is supplied with internet points which can also be found outside the hotels in the main cities.

There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. As in any other country, it is advisable to politely ask local people for their permission before taking pictures of them.

Uncontrolled shopping may be a very interesting activity. If you cannot go back home without buying anything, Portugal is a real paradise: you can realize it by stopping at one of the several local markets held both in small and big urban centres. The best souvenirs are the wooden and ceramic objects and the Arraiolos carpets, but all the local handicraft in general is worth buying, since the objects are really beautiful and are reasonably priced. But you can choose also one of the well-known wicker or bamboo baskets and the hand-embroidered fabrics, that you can find anywhere in the country. The most important event for those who like the Portuguese traditional handicraft is the exhibition that takes place every year in July in Vila do Conde, a town situated in the north.

The gastronomic tradition in Portugal is simple but at the same time refined and tasty. The mainly used ingredients are meat, fish and rice, but also potatoes and vegetables are present. The Portuguese love starting lunch or dinner with a soup. The most famous soup is "Caldo Verde" (Green soup), made with potatoes and cabbage and served with cornmeal bread and a dish of olives. Wonderful! As for the following courses, if you love fish you will have a lot to choose from: the "arroz de marasco", a sort of paella with shell-fish or the delightful "linguada e lulasgrelhado", better known as grilled sole and calamaries. Those with a delicate palate can taste the stewed fish or the dried salted cod, which is highly appreciated in this area.

The Portuguese can not live without music. From the most ancient times music has represented a fundamental element of their everyday life. Popular songs, for example, are one of the most significant musical expression of the country; they are constantly present during the popular festivals held in the small towns. Such songs are usually accompanied by violins, harmonicas and percussions. "Fado" is for sure the most famous Portuguese music, whose ancient sound is still appreciated in modern times. The songs are usually melancholic and are interpreted by a sole singer accompanied by the unfailing 12-stringed Portuguese guitar. Amalia Rodrigues was the artist who brought this music around the world; she died in 1999.

Entertainment in Portugal is very diversified, above all because these people like having fun. Around the country, sometimes even in the most unexpected places, it is common to see the most varied forms of entertainment, mainly in spring and summer. In the big cities such as Lisbon you will find everything, pubs where to drink a beer and discos for night birds, theatres and "cool" pubs. You will have to much to choose from.

The events and the attractions scheduled in Portugal are many. The most typical events are those linked to religious festivals. If you are visiting the country around Christmas or Easter, you can get some information about the scheduled events either in the hotels or in the tourist offices.

...the Portuguese were the first Westerners to come to Australia? Many historians think that such an hypothesis is much reliable. In their opinion the Australian continent was not discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770, as everybody knows, but by the Portuguese sailors 205 years before. The Australian historian Kenneth McIntyre believes that already in 1536 the Portuguese had drawn a map which identified a good portion of Australia. Such a theory seems to be supported by a Portuguese coin of the XVI century which was found in 1996 in the State of Victoria, and more precisely in the Mornington peninsula.

1) The old city of Lisbon - Lisbon
2) The Barrio Alto - Lisbon
3) The Museum of Contemporary Art - Porto
4) The Azulejos of the Station of Sao Bento - Porto
5) The upper city of Coimbra - Coimbra
6) The National Parks and the Natural Biological Reserves - Island of Madeira
7) Natural Reserve of Garajau - Island of Madeira
8) The Natural Reserve of the of the Islands of Desertas and Selvagens - Islands of Desertas and Selvagens
9) The golden beach of the Island of Porto Santo - Island of Porto Santo
10) The uncontaminated nature and the sunsets on the Island of Porto Santo - Island of Porto Santo.

1) The Island of Porto Santo - Here it is possible to play golf in the new 18 hole golf course in the area of Baxio.
2) The Island of Porto Santo -Here it is possible to practice surf, windsurf and snorkelling.
3) The Island of Madeira - Water sport lovers will have lots of fun. It is perfect for surf, windsurf and diving, both for beginners and expert.
4) The Island of Madeira - Lovers of long walks will find their ideal place here. The island is famous for its luxuriant vegetation and its trekking routes.
5) The Island of Madeira - It is the best place for Whale watching. Dolphins and different forms of cetaceans are among the species to be admired. If you are lucky you will be able to see the rare mesoplodont whale.

- Not to forget - A sweater may be useful especially during windy evenings and a k-way in case of sudden rainfalls. Do not forget a cap, your sunglasses and high-protection solar creams.
- Tip - Tips are not compulsory but beyond being highly appreciated, tipping the waiter is quite a common habit. In elegant restaurants a 10% tip for the service is normally required. Taxi drivers usually expect to be tipped.

- Safety - Portugal is not a dangerous country. Its crime rate is quite low, even though it has been increasing in the last period. It is anyway advisable to adopt the usual precautions in order to avoid being involved in dangerous situations.

Largo Augusto 3 - Milan (Italy)
Phone: 0039 02 794 573
Fax: 0039 02 794 622
www.portugal-insite.pt

Viale Liegi, 21 - Rome (Italy)
Phone: 0039 06 844 801
Fax: 0039 06 8417 404
www.embportroma.itl

Largo Conde Pombeiro, 6 - Lisbon
Phone: 0035 1 213 515 320
Fax: 0035 1 213 154 926
E-mail: ambasciata.lisbona@esteri.it
www.amblisbona.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Lisbona