Portugal

Information about Portugal Capital = Lisbon (largest city)

Official language = Portuguese Recognised regional language =

Mirandese

Government = republic President = Aníbal Cavaco Silva Prime Minister = Pedro Passos

Coelho Assembly President = Assunção

Esteves

Population 2011 estimate = 10,647,763

Population 2011 census = 10,555,853

Information about Portugal1. Lisbon 2,761 km2 2,244,984

2. Santarém 6,747 km2 454,456

3. Setúbal 5,064 km2 849,842

4. Beja 10,225 km2 152,706

5. Évora 7,393 km2 167,434

6. Faro 4,960 km2 450,484

7. Évora 7,393 km2 167,434

8. Portalegre 6,065 km2 118,952

9. Castelo Branco 6,675 km2 195,949

10. Guarda 5,518 km2 160,931

11. Coimbra 3,947 km2 429,714

12. Aveiro 2,808 km2 714,351

13. Viseu 5,007 km2 378,166

14. Bragança 6,608 km2 136,459

15. Vila Real 4,328 km2 207,184

16. Porto 2,395 km2 1,816,045

17. Braga 2,673 km2 848,444

18. Viana do Castelo 2,255 km2 244,947

Holidays.Most Portuguese holidays are centered around the Christian calendar . Many include Easter, Good Friday, All Saints’ Day and New Year’s; only a handful are the most important to mention.

The most important holiday celebrated by the Portuguese is Christmas on December 25th, called Christmas in Vila Vehla. The ceremony in the church is concluded when the priest holds up an image of the baby Jesus so the congregation can kiss him.

Holidays are not the only recognized traditions in Portugal. The Portuguese are also very religious and superstitious, believing and taking part in magical practices and witchcraft. These ceremonies are usually performed when dealing with illnesses and healing.

Interaction traditionsWhen you interact with people from Portugal there is some things you should know about:Some of these examples can occur on our own place but does surely belongs to common sense.

1. Every time you greet or meet somebody, show them a smile. It will show that you are a cheerful person and therefore, when people talk to you next, they know they will have a pleasant time.

2. Start a conversation with somebody using the polite form (0 senhor / A senhora)

3. If you are invited over to someone's house you mustn't take off your jacket unless the host suggests you to do so.

4. If you are wearing a hat, you should take it off when you enter someone's house.

Portuguese history

Vasco da GamaPortuguese empire Portuguese explorers

Early architectureMegaliths

Anta (dolmen) in Cabeção, near Mora, in the Alentejo

Early architecturePre-Roman villages

Iron age house in Citânia de Briteiros

Early architectureRoman period

Roman Temple of Évora

Early architectureRoman period

Roman Temple of Évora

Early architectureRoman period

Roman bridge of Aquae Flaviae, today's Chaves

Early architecturePre-Romanesque

Saint Frutuoso Chapel near Braga, a Greek cross building of Byzantine

influence (7th century)

Early architectureMoorish period

Main gate (Porta de Loulé) of the old Moorish city centre (Almedina)

of Silves.

Early architectureCastles

View of Mértola; the Main Church, formerly a mosque, is on the

foreground.

Early architectureRomanesque style (1100-c. 1230)

West façade of the church of the Benedictine Monastery of Rates

(façade built in the second half of the 12th century).

Early architectureRomanesque style (1100-c. 1230)

Façade of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra (begun 1162).

Early architectureRomanesque style (1100-c. 1230)

Almourol Castle, built c. 1171 on an island of the Tagus by the Templar Knights. The highest tower is the square-shaped keep of the castle

Early architectureGothic (c. 1200 - c.1450)

Central aisle of the church of Alcobaça Monastery (12th-13th

century).

Early architectureGothic (c. 1200 - c.1450)

Flamboyant Gothic in the Monastery of Batalha: church

façade (left) and Founder's Chapel (right).

Early architectureGothic (c. 1200 - c.1450)

View of Bragança Castle. The large keep tower was built in the 15th

century

Early architectureManueline style (c.1490 - c.1520)

Manueline nave of Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

Early architectureRenaissance and Mannerism

(c.1520 - c.1650)

Nave of Church of São Roque in Lisbon (1565-1587).

Early architecturePlain style (1580-1640)

View of the Monastery of Tibães with the church façade, near Braga

Early architectureRestoration architecture

(1640-1717)

Church of Santa Engracia, Lisbon

Early architectureBaroque style (1717-1755)

Palace of Queluz

Early architectureBaroque style (1717-1755)

Intricately worked façade of the Palácio do Raio in Braga

Early architecturePombaline style (1755-1860)

Praça do Comércio with the arch leading to Augusta street, in Lisbon

Early architectureModern Architecture

Portuguese modern architecture: buildings at Parque das Nações, Lisbon