Portugal country profile

Portugal, a country with a rich history of seafaring and discovery, looks out from the Iberian Peninsula onto the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal became a member of the European Community, now the EU, in 1986.

República Portuguesa

Portugal, a country with a rich history of seafaring and discovery, looks out from the Iberian Peninsula onto the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal's history has had a lasting impact on the culture of the country: Moorish and Oriental influences in architecture and the arts are prominent.

During the past 3 000 years, Portugal has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of civilisations. Phoenician, Greek, Celt, Carthaginian, Roman and Arabic cultures have all left their imprint. In the 15th century, Portugal’s intrepid maritime explorers led by Vasco da Gama discovered new territories, leading to the accumulation of an overseas empire.

The President, elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage, has limited powers. The parliament has 230 members, whose mandate is for four years.

The university of Coimbra, established in 1290, is one of the oldest in Europe. Among the best-known Portuguese poets are Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa.

During the summer, in the month of June, festivities dedicated to three saints known as Santos Populares (Popular saints) take place all over Portugal. Folk dance and music, particularly the melancholy fado, remain vibrant.

Each region of Portugal has its traditional dishes with various kinds of meat and seafood, including the hundred ways of cooking cod, the national dish.

Official name: Portuguese Republic

Area (km²): 92 072

Population: 10.61 million (2008)

Capital: Lisbon

National holiday: 10 June

Currency: Euro (€)

Date of joining: 01 January 1986

Head of state: Aníbal Cavaco Silva, since March 2006

Head of government: José Sócrates, since March 2005 when his Socialist Party (PS) won the election with an outright majority.

GDP (millions €): 166 226.6 (2008)

GDP per capita in PPS: € 18 900 (2008)

Real growth rate of GDP: 0% (2008)

Unemployment rate: 10,2% (October 2009)

National debt as % of GDP: 66.4% (2008)

Inflation: -1,6% (October 2009)

Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -2.6% (2008)

Source: Eurostat

http://www.presidenciarepublica.pt

http://www.portugal.gov.pt

http://www.min-nestrangeiros.pt

http://www.parlamento.pt

 Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency