The shrine of Fátima is a popular pilgrimage spot for Christian worshippers. One of the most interesting facts about Portugal is that it is home to the world’s largest cork forest and produces over 70% of its cork exports. 6. Lisbon wasn’t always the capital of Portugal. Visiting Portugal is life changing in 2017. Here are 10 fun facts about Portugal for kids. Portuguese academics established the University of Coimbra in 1290, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. Its exterior façade is a spectacular display of mosaic tiles, worth admiring in their own right. 7. The chilli that is the sauce’s main ingredient hails from South America, and it was from here that the Portuguese then took the chillis to Africa. For further information, contact the Embassy Services or the Portuguese Consulates. Portugal travel facts Geography : Including the perimeter of its islands, Portugal boasts 1793 kilometres of coastline. Lourenço, Nelson. So much so, that in 2016 the entire country ran for almost five consecutive days entirely on renewable energy powered by wind, sun and water. If you require more information please view our Cookie policy. Another one of those Portugal trivia is that Portugal is one of the founding members of NATO. 9. There are 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal (ranking it 8th in Europe and 17th in the world)… … Portugal villas, hotels and B and B listings in our holiday accommodation section Site by Ready to Blog Designs. In fact, Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe (right after Athens). Portugal immigration can still lead you through a bureaucratic process, but worth it in most cases. The Dolphin Interaction Program (the only one of its kind in Europe) gets you up close and personal with the dolphins. Have you discovered any fun facts about Portugal not on this list? The most popular sport in Portugal is football (soccer). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From “swallowing frogs” so you bite your tongue to “breaking the coconut laughing” because you’re laughing so hard you lose control, the Portuguese have a naturally descriptive and colourful way of telling a story. Winter in Portugal is a very pleasant season, with plenty of sunshine up and down the country and temperatures rarely falling below 10ºC. Portugal is a party to the Schengen Agreement and part of the European Union. portugalPortugal factsPortugal guidePortugal travel tips. The largest community of Portuguese outside Portugal is inRio de Janeiro. Here’s how…. Portugal Facts & Figures | PortugalVisitor - Travel Guide To Portugal Skip to main content Population: 10,287,563. Words such as pan (from the Portuguese pão meaning bread) and sabato (from the Portuguese sabado meaning Saturday) are all good examples. One of the interesting facts about Portugal is that the country is investing heavily in renewable energy. While Portugal is set on the edge of the Iberian peninsula in south-western Europe, its archipelago of the Azores in the Atlantic ocean officially holds the title of being the westernmost point of Europe. These play an important role in tourism and are one of the reasons Portugal has become one of the top 20 most-visited countries in the world. Although most people don’t know a lot about Portugal, there are at least 10 things that almost everybody thinks of when they think about it. U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Portugal has many natural parks but one of them stands out the most. The University achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2013. Portugal has one of the oldest universities in the entire of Europe, named as the University of Coimbra. Tajo) gebaut wurde. Among the most fun facts about Portugal is that the family has kept the original recipe a secret since the 19th century. Produced exclusively in Portugal’s UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, Port Wine is a sweet, red fortified wine. Portugal is one of the best outdoor destinations in Europe. The book store was established in 1732. Read my top 10 fun facts about Portuguese people to find out!. 16. 6. Herr, Richard, ed. 8. Portuguese people were a key factor to the Age of Exploration.They helped discover several lands unknown to the Europeans in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Your email address will not be published. Portugal is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. © Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. Let us know in the comments! Due to its excellent trading location, the Phoenicians settled in Lisbon around 1200 BC. It was here in 1917 that the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three young shepherds. 18. One of the interesting facts about Portugal is that the country is investing heavily in renewable energy. I had to find 20 facts about the cultural aspects and traditional things on this country. Amazing Portugal Facts & History. 3. The area is the third-oldest protected wine region in the world and its produce became very popular with the English in the 18th century. Fast eine Milliarde Euro kostete das Projekt, das Lissabon mit den südlich des Tajo liegenden Städten verbindet und die Route weiter in Richtung Süden für Autofahrer schneller gemacht hat. The Portuguese won’t let a little thing like work keep them from enjoying a coffee break or two during their day. So much so, that in 2016 the entire country ran for almost five consecutive days entirely on renewable energy powered by wind, sun and water. But let’s talk about numbers, shall we? A post shared by Toronto Portuguese (@torontoportuguese) on Feb 6, 2017 at 9:48pm PST. View Images The art of tile painting and glazing, known as azulejos , is one of the most popular art forms in Portugal. Portugal is … It was here that the melange of chilli, garlic and lemon resulted in this famous sauce. 17,2 Kilometer lang ist die Ponte Vasco da Gama, die zwischen 1995 und 1998 anlässlich der Expo ’98 über den Fluss Tejo (z. Dt. With the exception of only one, these are all cultural sites. 17. Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, is said to have led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Portugal once owned half of the “New World”. Joe. When the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, Portugal was given the eastern half of the New World, including Brazil, Asia and Africa. Portugal is also known to be a founding member … Portugal Facts & Figures: see a selection of Portugal statistics regarding Portugal's population, economy and services. Madeira Day is celebrated every year on July 1st. The Portugal Guide - Portugal holiday information, accommodation, sections on towns, maps, photos, tourist attractions, beaches, history and weather. So, here are just a few of our favourite fun facts about Portugal you would never have guessed: And the award for oldest nation-state in Europe goes to… Portugal. When claimed in 1419, the island was covered with laurel forest, leading to its name. Portugal sits on the edge of Europe in relative obscurity, especially when compared to neighbouring Spain and France. RELATED CONTENT: Where to drink port wine in Portugal. Portugal: A Twentieth Century Interpretation, 1983. Their preference is a quick espresso-sized bica served in a tiny cup. Today, it is open to tourists who can visit its Royal Palace and the Joanine Library. Lisbon holds the famous Stadium of Light, one of the Europe’s largest football venue. Although they are located about 850 miles west of continental Portugal, the Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, ... Portuguese pilgrims travel to Ponta Delgada to participate in an afternoon procession behind the image of Christ along the flower-decorated streets of the city. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), A post shared by Toronto Portuguese (@torontoportuguese), Essential items to pack when travelling to Italy during the summer, 12 necessary items to pack when visiting Germany’s Christmas markets, What people want from guided touring in the future looks very different. The New Portugal: Democracy in Europe , 1992. In 1139, Portugal appointed King Afonso Henriques as its king. Time Zone: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Location: Southwestern Europe, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, and west of Spain. 8. Henrique of Portugal was the king of Portugal for more than 73 years. On this blog, we share travel inspiration and planning information so that you can go on a worry-free trip. If Portugal has piqued your interest, check out our Best of Portugal trip for all the highlights. Its only neighbour is Spain, and it shares the same time zone as the UK. Capital City: Lisbon. Book lovers will delight in a visit to Bertrand Bookstore in Lisbon’s Chiado district. As the home of fado music and colorful cobbled streets, Lisbon has a plethora of secrets and fun facts that are unknown to most people. Travelers over 17 years old, may bring in the following items, duty free: 2 bottles of table wine, 1 bottle of hard liquor, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 1.75 ounces of perfume, and small quantities of tea or coffee for personal use. Knowing a little about local customs, especially in restaurants, will help you feel more confident and avoid that nasty suspicion that you’ve been ripped off. If you’re coming to Portugal, you’re probably wondering what are the Portuguese like! They left their linguistic mark on this Asian nation. Despite the fact that it is a public transport, hundreds of tourists find it very exciting to take a tram ride around the city. Portugal holds the record for the shortest and longest-reigning monarchs. Small in size but large in stature, Portugal has given rise to a medley of firsts and greats. Great Barrier Reef tours: all you need to know + review, Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park. The country may be small compared to its European neighbours, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in sheer tenacity, hard work and a sense of adventure. In terms of the number of visiting pilgrims, it is second only to Rome in Europe. Portugal is one of the leading travel destinations in Europe. You will also find a few activity suggestions and further resources at the bottom of this article. International tourism is consequently one of the main contributors to the Portuguese economy. Portugal is the westernmost point of Europe and lies on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Lisbon is said to be four centuries older than Rome. Most people have not only heard of Spain and France, but could easily list a few facts about each country and its culture. The settings are historic and jaw-dropping: clifftop mansions, 300-year-old castles and former monasteries – like the one in the Convento dos Lóios – are among the 40 pousadas sprinkled across the country. Madeira island is mountainous with peaks reaching 6,100 feet. Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Brianna L. Centaurus High School. Crispy, creamy and sweet – there’s nothing like the original Pastéis de Nata (custard tart) from its home in Lisbon’s Belém district. Your email address will not be published. Luis Filipe, on the other hand, was king for only 20 minutes. Fun and Interesting Facts about Portugal . The world has Portugal to thank for piri-piri, the chilli sauce quite often liberally poured over the nation’s favourite churrasco chicken. Hi! Yes, Portugal has maintained its borders since 1279. Portugal hat die längste Brücke Europas. Slightly smaller than Indiana. Portugal, or the Portuguese Republic, as it is officially known, is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, being bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. Based on forecasts, by 2028 the It may not be Hawaii, but one of our favourite fun facts about Portugal is that it’s 800km Atlantic coastline and temperate climate makes it a year-round surfing hotspot. Thanks for helping me understand the country more and helping me get an A on this assignment!!!