Independence Year : 1143
Population : 9997600
Life Expectancy : 75.8
Capital : 2914
GNP : 105954.00
GNP Old : 102133.00
Local Name : Portugal
Government Form : Republic
Location : Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, west of Spain, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean.
Terrain : Mountainous in the north; rolling plains in the central south.
Climate : Maritime temperate, average annual temperature is 16°C (61°F)
Ethnic Group : Homogeneous Mediterranean stock with small black African and Eastern European minorities
Religions : Roman Catholic, 97%
Official Website :
www.casarealportuguesa.org
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General Information - Portugal
Background
An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal established its continental frontiers in 1297 and is one of the oldest nations in Europe. The former world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, the occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades repressive governments ran the country.
In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is member-country of the European Union since 1986. Today the country enjoys a steady economic growth.
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