Portuguese navigators changed the world forever. Led by Prince Enrique the Navigator (he himself had never been further than North Africa) The Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail into the Atlantic and sail along the coast of Africa. Portuguese first (fleet under the command of Vasco da Gama) reached India by sea from the west. They were the first Europeans to land on Ceylon, Sumatra - the spice islands in the Molucca Strait, they laid the foundation for trade with China and Japan. In the west, the Portuguese were the first to set foot on the soil of South America and discovered Brazil. There is evidence that the Portuguese reached the coast of North America even before the Caribbean voyage of Columbus in 1492.
The Portuguese Fernando de Magalhaes - Fernando Magellan - led the first round-the-world trip organized by the Spaniards. Although he himself did not manage to return, he nevertheless gained worldwide fame. Portuguese sailors were respected all over the world. The famous Francis Drake hired a Portuguese captain on his Golden Doe.
Manueline architectural style
The Portuguese became famous all over the world for their painted azulejo - tiles - and port wine, but they made an equally significant contribution to architecture, creating an exquisite style that made extensive use of stone carving. This style originated in Portugal at the end of the 15th century. and lasted only a few decades, coinciding with the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521) , in honor of which he received the name - "Manueline".
Apparently, Portuguese architects were inspired sea travel and discoveries. They took Gothic as a basis and enriched it with a mass of decorations, exquisite elements, mostly associated with the sea. Knotted ropes, corals, seahorses, nets and waves were carved from stone. Other decorations not related to the sea were also widely used. For the first time this style was used in the decoration of the small church of Jesus in Setubal and the Lisbon tower of Belen, as well as the monastery of the Hieronymites. The unfinished chapels of the monastery of Batalha can be considered a true masterpiece of the Manueline style.
Magnificent examples of this architectural style can also be seen in the Algarve: pay attention to the portals and windows of the churches in Silves (Church of Misericordia), Alvor and especially in Monchique. In the XVI century. the Manueline style went out of fashion. By 1540, Portugal joined the rest of Europe, where at that time a more severe Renaissance style dominated.
Purchases
Although Portugal has plenty of malls and modern stores, the greatest pleasure is to wander through the small old shops, especially in Lisbon and Porto.
Folk crafts are preserved in the country. Exquisite gold and silverware, hand-painted ceramics, wicker baskets and classic woolen carpets are sold in markets and small shops throughout the country. You will find the best craftsmanship on the ground floor of the Ribeira Market in Lisbon.
Of course, Portugal has a lot of fashion boutiques and jewelry stores. Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve are especially famous for this. Be sure to check out the cellars where port wines and other wonderful wines are stored. Many consumer products in big cities are still inexpensive.
Tax refund
Citizens of countries outside the European Union can receive a refund of value added tax included in the price of many goods. Pay attention to the blue-and-white signs "TAX FREE" and fill out special documents that can be obtained in stores upon purchase. VAT can be returned to your credit card at the airport or sent to you by mail after returning home.
What to buy
- Copper and bronze. Candlesticks, old-fashioned pots and pans, bowls and trays are sold all over Portugal. Cataplanas are wonderful, beautiful and functional souvenirs. The Moorish tradition of metal kitchen utensils is preserved in the town of Loulé, in the Algarve.
- Carpets and rugs. Beautiful and very high quality handmade carpets, mainly from the Alentejo region, have been famous for centuries. Wool rugs from Arraiolos have a rustic feel. In this small town you will find dozens of shops where you can choose a carpet to your liking.
- Ceramics and azulejos. Portugal has long been famous for its colorful ceramics and hand-painted tiles. You can buy a white and blue tile with a house number, or you can pick up a whole panel. In some stores, tiles are painted by order, including from photographs. It is heavy to transport ceramics, ask if your purchases can be delivered by mail. Each region has its own style: in Coimbra, masters prefer to depict animals, in Barcelos - cockerels, and in Chaves they make characteristic black ceramics.
- For tiles, head to the Azulejo Museum in Lisbon or shop on the N125 in the Algarve. There are two large shops in Porches: "Olaria Algarve" (ceramics from Porches), where they work in the old Moorish style, and "Casa Algarve".
- Cork. Portugal is a leading manufacturer of cork products. You will be offered rugs, curious sculptures and other products. These are light and easy to transport souvenirs.
- Embroidery. In Portugal, many embroidered products are sold - tablecloths and napkins. Especially a lot of embroidery in street markets. Pay attention to exquisite products from Madeira - they are exceptionally good and relatively inexpensive.
- Sweet gifts. Even if you are not a big fan of sweets, you will hardly be able to resist the marzipans from the Algarve, which are shaped into miniature vegetables and fruits. This is a wonderful gift that is easy to bring home.
- Jewelry. Portugal is famous for its filigree, inherited from the Moors. The quality of the products is very high. Buy silver brooches or earrings in the shape of flowers or butterflies as a gift.
- Leather Products. Everywhere you will find a large selection of fashionable and inexpensive belts, handbags and shoes, as well as jackets, wallets and gloves. In Lisbon, the main shoe stores are in Baixa.
- Music. Bring home the soul of Portugal - recordings of classical fado or other traditional music played on folk instruments.
- Wine and products. Wines from the Dau, Douro, Minho and Alentejo regions are excellent for transport, but the best gift is a Portuguese port. Buy some bottles in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. Smoked sausages or sweets made from almonds, marzipan and figs will be a good souvenir.
When and where to buy
Most shops are open Mon-Fri 9.00-13.00, 15.00-19.00, Sat 9.00-13.00. Modern shopping centers usually open from 10.00 to midnight or even later. They often work on Sundays as well. More and more shops refuse a lunch break. Markets open around 8:00 am and close in the afternoon.
street markets (feiras or mercados)- excellent entertainment. Here you can buy products of folk craftsmen, clothes and products. Lisbon's "thieves' market" (Feira da Ladra) opens behind the Sau Vicente de Fora church on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The largest market in the country operates in Barcelos. In July and August, Vila do Conde near Porto hosts the National Craft Fair. A similar fair is held in Lagos on the Algarve in August. Masters come here from all over the country.
Almost all urban stores accept credit cards, but in smaller towns the situation is different. Prices are usually fixed, you can only bargain in the markets.
Entertainment
Evening entertainment in Portugal depends on where you are. In Lisbon and Porto, you can listen to any live music, visit the theater, sit in a bar or club. There are many clubs and discos in the Algarve. Small towns are much calmer and quieter.
Fado. A classic evening in Portugal is an evening spent in a fado club (casas de fado) in Alfama or Bairro Alto. Often dinner or drinks are included in the program. The origin of this music is unknown. It may have come from sad songs about sailors lost at sea, or from the tragic days of slavery. Today these songs can be called a kind of Iberian blues. Typically, a fado troupe includes a female singer dressed in black, accompanied by men playing 12-string Portuguese guitars and "viols", i.e. Spanish guitars. Fado is sad, lingering and nostalgic music. She is too sad to dance to, so sometimes songs alternate with folk dances.
If you want to listen to fado in Lisbon, we recommend the following places: "Adega Machado" (Rua do Norte, 91); "A Parreirinha da Alfama" (Beco do Espirito Santa, 1); "A Severa" (Rua das Gaveas, 51); "Senhor Vinho" (Rua do Meio a Lapa).
In the Algarve, bars and hotels also host “fado evenings”, where you can get acquainted with this purely Portuguese musical tradition.
Live music and theatre. The easiest way is to visit the opera, listen to a classical music concert or attend a ballet in Lisbon. The city has a great Opera theatre, and the Gulbenkian Foundation finances its own symphony orchestra and ballet troupe. The National Ballet performs in the new hall in the Park of Nations. Excellent concert halls and theaters are open in Porto. The Algarve has an orchestra that tours with concerts throughout the country.
Night clubs. There are a lot of clubs and bars open until late in Porto and Lisbon.
In Lisbon, the best bars are located in the Bairro Alto quarter, as well as in the former docks of Alcantara. Fans of fun from Porto often go to Foz do Douro. The best discos and clubs in the Algarve are located in Albufeira and Praia da Roca. Lagos is a great place where the fun lasts not only in summer. Evora and Coimbra are university towns with many student bars and clubs. The rest of the cities just fall asleep in the evenings.
Gambling. The main casino of Lisbon is located in Estoril. Recently, the owners received a license to open a casino in the capital - in the trendy coastal garden Jardin do Tobaco. A new casino, Casino de Lisboa, operates in the Parque des Nations in Auditorio dos Oceanos (Tel: 218-929-000, www.casinolisboa.pt). On the Algarve, casinos operate in Monte Gordo, Vilamoura and Praia da Roca, as well as in Figueira da Foz, Espinho and Povoa de Varzim. To enter the casino, you must have a passport with you and be over 21 years old.
Sport
Portugal is a paradise for athletes. The temperate climate in the southern part of the country makes it possible to play golf and tennis all year round.
Water sports
Diving and snorkelling. On a long south coast Portugal has about 30 diving centers. This sport is especially popular in the western Algarve. (Luz, Lagos, Sagres). On the coast of Estoril and south of Lisbon, the water is very clean and calm. It is nice to snorkel and dive here.
Fishing. Along the coast of Portugal, you will constantly see fishermen on the beaches, rocks and breakwaters. Permission is required for river and lake fishing. Information can be obtained from the Portuguese National Tourist Board or the Forest Institute (Institute Florestal; Avenida Joao Crisostomo 26, 1000 Lisbon). The best time for fishing is winter, from October to mid-January.
In Portimão, Faro, Sesimbra or Setúbal you can rent a boat. The best conditions for fishing are near Sesimbra, where swordfish are found. The Algarve has the best fishing conditions in Europe.
Sailing and rowing. Most of the beaches, protected from the open ocean, have rowing boats, canoes and pedal boats - you can rent them. Experienced athletes can rent a sailing yacht. You can take a sailing course on the Algarve (Praia de Luz, Quinta do Lago, Portimao). A large sailboat can be rented at yacht clubs (Vilamoura, Carvoeiro Club). In almost any city in the Algarve, you will be offered a boat trip or a whole cruise. You can kayak along the mountain rivers and reservoirs in the north of Portugal, for example in Minho.
Swimming. With so many beaches, it's no surprise that there are so many opportunities for swimming in Portugal.
It is best to swim in the Algarve - the water is warmer here, and the beaches are better protected from the waves than on the west coast. Lifeguards are not everywhere. Most hotels have swimming pools. Since the coast of Estoril is heavily polluted, you can swim near Lisbon only in Estoril itself, the beach of which received a blue flag for the purity of the water.
Ground sports
A bike. In the north you can go mountain biking. Tour companies organize various mountain walks, especially in the Serra da Estrela National Park. The thirteen-kilometer Ecopista trail runs through picturesque places in the valley of the Minho River.
Golf. Portugal is one of the best golf destinations in the world. Many companies offer all-inclusive programs. There are excellent fields near Lisbon, especially in Estoril. The Golf do Estoril hosts a world-class tournament. There are a few good fields near Porto, but most of them are concentrated in the Algarve. The best pitches are in Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago.
All information can be found in the booklet issued by the Portuguese National Tourist Board. Passionate golfers can stay at the Golf Hotel. Typically, these hotels are located near the fields and offer free (or at a significant discount) games on fields that are very difficult to get to in any other way. They also organize tournaments for their guests.
Horseback riding. There are a lot of stables in Portugal where you can rent a horse. Many quintas hotels offer horseback riding. Many equestrian centers (centros hipicos) on the Algarve. Most of the horses are at least partly related to the famous local breed "Lusitano". Tourist centers in the north of Portugal offer horse rides, such as Campo do Geres in the Minho region.
Tennis. Large hotels have their own courts, but tennis clubs and public courts are located everywhere. Many golf clubs also have courts. The Algarve has several world-class tennis clubs - one of the best is Vale do Lobo. Two other great tennis clubs are T6nis Rocha Brava near Carvoeiro and Estoril Tennis Club.
Hiking. Many National parks in the central and northern parts of Portugal - a great place for hiking. Head to Serra da Estrela, Peneda Geres or Montecinho. An excellent hike can be made along the beaches and cliffs on the Algarve coast or the hills of Mogadoro in Trás os Montes. Local tourist offices will help you organize such a trip.
Spectator sports
Bullfighting. In Portuguese bullfighting, the bull is not killed in the arena, but later in the slaughterhouse. Bullfighting takes place in Vila Franca de Xira in Ribatejo. Bullfights are also held at the Campo Pequeno Pra^a de Touros arena in Lisbon (the season starts in May and lasts until the end of September, fights are held every Thursday and Sunday) and at the Monumental arena in Cascais. Bullfights for tourists are organized in Lagos, Quarteira and Vila Real de Santo António, as well as in Albufeira (Pay attention to the posters with the inscription "Praca de Toiros"). The season runs from Easter Sunday to October.
Football. Football in Portugal is very popular. The main teams of the country are Benfica and Sporting, as well as Porto. The Algarve team performs "Farense", which trains in the capital of the region.
Portugal for kids
Families with children prefer to relax on the beaches. Many hotels have swimming pools and special shallow pools for children.
The beaches of the Algarve are great for families with children. Toddlers can frolic on sandbanks, older children can explore rocky coves. Pay attention to the flags that signal the state of the sea.
A green flag means that the sea is calm and lifeguards are on duty on the beach. Green with checkered - the sea is calm, but there are no lifeguards, a yellow flag - swimming is not recommended, and red simply prohibits.
The main children's attraction in Lisbon is the Nations Park, where there is a wonderful aquarium, playgrounds, fountains, rowing boats and a cable car.
In Coimbra with children, you can go to the park "Portugal in miniature" (Portuguese dos Pequeninos).
In the Algarve, several amusement parks, zoos and water parks are open for children, including Aquashow near Quarteira (between Vilamoura and Loule) on the N396 highway; slide & splash (N125 Vale de Deus near Lagos) and Aqualand - The Big One (N125 near Alcantarilla), which is considered the largest in Europe. Another attraction - Zoomarine (N125, 25 km)- an amusement park where dolphins and sea lions perform, there are parrot shows, rides and pools. Near Vaqueros is the amusement park A Cova dos Mouros, a real Neolithic village built around a prehistoric copper mine. You can also ride donkeys here.
Holiday calendar
- February March. The main carnivals are held in Funchal, Lola, Nazar, Ovar, Torres Vedras. There are processions and fireworks everywhere. Fado festival is organized in Lisbon.
- March, April. The pilgrimage to the Bon Jesus church in Braga is the main event of Holy Week.
- May. Feast of the Crosses in Barcelos: concerts and fireworks on the river Cavado ( first weekend). May 13 the first pilgrimage to Fatima. A ceremonial burning of ribbons is held in Coimbra to mark the end of the school year. The Algarve hosts an international music festival for a month.
- June July. Festival of Music, Dance and Theater in Lisbon. Fairs and festivities in honor of popular saints: St. Anthony (June 13), Saint John (June 24) and Saint Peter (June 29). The Feast of Corpus Christi in Vila do Conde is accompanied by processions and flower carpets. Vila Franca de Xira hosts a bull run through the streets (first two Sundays in July).
- July August. International Music Festival in Estoril and Cascais.
- August. A three-day celebration in Guimarães with torchlight processions, folk dances, bands and a colorful parade in medieval costumes (August 4-6). In Viana do Castelo, the religious festival of Nossa Señora da Agonia is held, with participants dressed in colorful folk costumes (closest weekend to August 20).
- September. Annual pilgrimage to the baroque temple in Lamego: torchlight processions, folk dances, a fair and fireworks and a triumphal procession (September 6-9). Religious holiday in Nazar: fishermen carry the statue of the patron saint throughout the city, bullfights, fairs, concerts, folk dances and songs (second week of September).
- October. Last Pilgrimage to Fatima (October 12-13). October fair in Vila Franca de Xira - running with the bulls and bullfighting (first two weeks).
- November. Galega Horse Fair - Saint Martin's Fair (second week).
- December. Christmas markets in Lisbon open throughout the city.
Portuguese cuisine
Portuguese cuisine is always good - whether it's appetizers, roasts or sweets. Herbs and spices are used (hot peppers are quite rare) and in the best restaurants, and in simple eateries, and only to emphasize, and not to interrupt the taste of the dish itself. Portuguese cuisine is quite simple and not overly sophisticated, but still delicious. The best seasoning for caldeiradas is coriander (coentros). This herb goes well with both meat and fish. Each region has its own specialties. Minho loves marinated pork (rojoes). In Boussacou and Coimbra you will be offered a baked suckling pig (leitao assado). Tripe (tripas) is a specialty of Porto. And clams or mussels baked in a cataplana deep frying pan are a favorite dish of the inhabitants of the Algarve. In Apentejo, a raw egg is added to soups and the soup is served at the end of the meal. Fish and seafood are used only the freshest, and they taste amazing. Everywhere you will see wonderful cakes, pastries and sweet puddings. They are usually made with eggs, sugar and almonds. It is impossible to resist such temptation. An ideal place to sample the best local cuisine is in the restaurants behind.
Accommodation
Portuguese hotels have from two stars to five plus. In small hotels and boarding houses, prices are lower, but there are much fewer such places. Estalagem - a small hotel, pensao - a boarding house where breakfast is also offered, residential - accommodation without food. In Lisbon, you can rent a furnished apartment, and in the countryside, it is quite possible to stay in a luxurious mansion.
Pouzada - state-owned hotels located in historical buildings, monasteries and castles, in picturesque corners country. All information can be found at www.pousadas.pt. From time to time, various promotions are arranged in the backyards, when a room can be booked at a significant discount. Discounts are often given to honeymooners and those over 55.
In Portugal, there are two state tourism schemes Turihab and Solares de Portugal. Private houses are adapted or completely converted to the needs of tourists (tel.: 258-931-750, fax: 258-931-320, www.solaresdeportugal.pt or www.turihab.pt). Such housing is divided into three groups: Casas Antigas - mansions of the XVII-XVIII centuries; Quintas e Herdades - country estates and farms, including wineries of the North; Casas Riisticas - cottages and rural houses in a typical regional style.
You can rent a villa or an apartment. In this case, we advise you to look at the websites of Owners Direct (www.ownersdirect.co.uk) Portugal Villa (www.portugalvilla.com) or Algarve Villa (www.algarvevilla.net).
In high season (mid June - mid September) Accommodation is best booked two months in advance. V low season many hotels close, others offer serious discounts - especially often in seaside resorts.
Prices in Portuguese hotels are quite reasonable, although they have risen in Lisbon in recent years and are now quite comparable to prices in most European capitals, and in the higher price segment even surpass popular cities like Barcelona.
All hotels, with the exception of the smallest apartments, accept basic credit cards. If you make a reservation by phone, the code for Portugal is 351.
Youth hostels (Hostels)
There are 36 youth hostels in Portugal. Many also offer food. Conditions are modest, but some hostels are located in beautiful historic buildings. We advise you to join the international organization Hostelling International before departure (www.hihostels.com), but it can be done in Portugal as well. Address of the Portuguese Association: Portuguese Youth Hostel Association, Movijovem, Rua Lucio de Azevedo, 27, Lisbon; men.: 217-232-100; seat reservations: tel.: 707-203-030, www.pousadasjuventude.pt.
Airports
Portugal has three international airports - in Lisbon, Faro and Porto.
Lisbon Airport is only 7 km from the city centre. The journey by car takes 11 minutes (at rush hour - 20 min). There are always many taxis near the terminal, and a trip to the city center will cost 10 euros. Alternatively, you can take bus 91. This is a shuttle that leaves every 20 minutes from 7.45 to 20.45. It goes through the city center, Rossio Square and Cais do Sodre station. With this ticket you can ride trams and buses all day (but not on the subway). Airport information: tel.: 218-413-500.
Faro International Airport serves the Algarve. The airport is located 7 km from the capital of the Faro region. By taxi you will reach Faro in 10 minutes, in half an hour - to Albufeira. Alternatively, Faro can be reached by bus. Airport information: tel.: 289-800-800.
Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport in Porto is a 20-minute drive from the city center from Matosinhos. In 45 minutes you will reach the airport on the purple metro line. You can take a taxi, it will cost you 25 euros, but you can spend a lot of time in traffic jams. Airport information: tel.: 222-432-400.
Information about the national airline "TAP Air Portugal": tel.: 702-205-700. Website of all airports in Portugal: www.ana.pt.
Travel budget
Portugal is generally cheaper than many European countries. However, the exchange rate and the season may affect the cost of your trip.
Road to Portugal. There are regular charter flights from Russia to Lisbon, Porto and Faro.
Museum tickets. From 2 to 11 euros depending on the location.
Accommodation. Prices for luxury hotels are comparable to prices in large European cities, but strongly dependent on the season. In July and August, prices in the Algarve are simply sky-high - often twice as high as in the low season. In high season, a double room with a bath per night in a 3-star hotel can cost 75-100 euros, in a 4-star hotel - 125-200 euros, in a 5-star hotel - 200-400 euros. In the rear, a double room, depending on the style, can cost from 120 to 280 euros. Remember that the price often does not include breakfast and 17% VAT.
Food. Prices in even the most luxurious restaurants can seem surprisingly affordable compared to most European countries. Portuguese wines are of good quality and attractive price (even in expensive restaurants). A three-course dinner with wine in a decent establishment usually costs 15-30 euros per person. At lunchtime, visitors are often offered set meals. (menta turistica) no more than 20 euros.
Beverages. Soft drinks cost about 1-3 euros, alcoholic drinks - 3-13 euros. It all depends on where you decide to drink.
Local transport. Buses and taxis are surprisingly inexpensive. A bus ticket costs less than 1.5 euros, and most trips within the same city usually cost between 4 and 10 euros.
Nightlife and entertainment. The prices are quite different. Entrance to the disco will have to pay 5-20 euros (usually this price includes the cost of the first drink), for the entrance to the casino - 10 euros (sometimes admission is free, for example in Estoril, although you will have to pay from 4 euros or more to enter the main gaming hall).
Camping
Camping in Portugal is very popular, and there are a lot of such places throughout the country. Buy the Roteiro Campista booklet (www.roteiro-campista.pt; 6 EUR) where all Portuguese campsites are listed. These booklets are sold in bookstores and travel agencies, as well as on the Internet. The best campsites owned by Orbitur (www.orbitur.pt). Information about campsites can also be obtained from tourist offices or the Camping Federation. (Federaicao de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal, Avenida Coronel Eduardo Galhardo 24D; men.: 218-126-890; fax: 218-126-918; www.fcmportugal.com).
Camping is only allowed in designated areas. In some natural parks camping requires a permit or membership in an international organization. In addition, you will definitely need a passport.
Car rental
V major cities and the resorts have offices of international and local firms. The driver must be at least 21 years of age and must have a driver's license with at least a year of driving experience. Most rental companies are satisfied with a national driver's license.
Economy class car rental is cheaper than in other European countries - 30-60 euros per day (including insurance and taxes). In local firms you can find more attractive offers. If you order and pay for the car before arrival, the price will be lower. Check if this price includes insurance.
VAT is added to the total amount of the invoice, but is included in the amount in case of advance payment.
Public liability insurance is mandatory and included in the price, but we advise you to take out full insurance. Many credit cards automatically take out full insurance if you pay for your car rental on them. However, make sure you get all the information in advance. There is usually an extra fee to pick up and drop off the car at the airport.
Good local car rental companies: Holiday Autos (tel.: 218-925-834; www.holidayautos.com) and Portuguese Auto Rentals (Tel: 236-218-999; www.portugal-auto-rentals.com). International companies: "Eigorsag" (tel.: 213-535-115; www.europcar.pt), Avis (Tel: 213-514-560; www.avis.com.pt), Hertz (Tel: 213-812-430; www.hertz.com.pt). Large airports always have many offices of such companies.
Climate
Portugal has a mild climate - the only exception is the sunny coast of the Algarve, where it is hot in summer and cool in winter. In Lisbon and Alentejo, it gets too hot in summer. (Always carry a bottle of water with you.) It is cold in the north in winter, especially in the mountains.
Cloth
The Algarve has a Mediterranean climate, but except in the middle of summer, you'll need something warm for the evening.
In the north, warm clothes are a must, especially if you are going to the mountains. Get ready for the rain. Restaurants don't usually enforce a dress code, but it's still a good idea to grab something fancy for the most expensive establishments.
Crime and security
Portugal is generally a safe country. Petty crime in the Algarve and in tourist centers is more common than in other parts of the country. Serious crimes against tourists are rare. The most common crime is theft from rental cars. In rural areas, this problem is not so acute, but in resorts and where cars are left unattended for a long time, the risk is quite high. Thefts from rented apartments happen, although less often than from cars, but they still happen. So beware. Take the same precautions as at home.
Report the theft at the hotel and contact the nearest police station or tourist office. Theft must be reported to the police within 24 hours. You will need an official report to receive insurance compensation. If you need help, please call: 213-180-100 from 8.30 to 18.00.
Lisbon is notorious for its pickpockets, which are especially numerous in the metro and Rossio Square. Be especially careful in the evenings in Bairro Alta and Alfama.
Car driving
If you come with your own car, you will need a driver's license, registration documents and insurance - third party liability insurance is required. Green Card is valid abroad.
Roads. Traffic rules are similar to European ones. Priority is given to those already in the roundabout, unless there is a sign to the contrary.
Seat belts are required. If you are detained for not wearing a seat belt, you will have to pay a hefty fine. Local drivers are quite careless. In cities, pedestrians theoretically have priority at crossings, but we would not advise you to rely on this rule unconditionally.
Speed limits: 120 km/h on highways, 90 km/h on other roads, 50 km/h in cities. On some lanes and suspension bridges blue numbers indicate the minimum speed. Caravan speed (trailers) limited to 50 km/h in cities and 70 km/h on roads and highways. Most of the trails are paid. Many Portuguese break speed limits, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same.
Fuel. Gasoline in Portugal is expensive. Prices are controlled by the government and are the same throughout the country. Many petrol stations are open 24/7 and all accept credit cards.
Parking. You need to park in the direction of travel. Unless otherwise stated, parking time is unlimited. In some places parking is paid. In the so-called blue zones, you need to get a receipt from machines. There are many official surface and underground parking lots in Portugal.
If you need help. If your car organization has entered into an agreement with the Automobile Club of Portugal (Automovel Clube de Portugal, Rua Rosa Araujo 24, Lisbon; men.: 213-318-0100; www.acp.pt) then you can use their services for free. Otherwise, contact any garage for help.
Road signs. Portugal uses standard international pictograms, but you may encounter local signs as well.
Embassies and consulates
Address of the Russian Embassy in Lisbon: Rua Visconde de Santarem, 59, 1000-286 Lisboa, Portugal.
Embassy: tel.: (8-10-351-21) 846-24-24, 846-25-24, 846-24-23; fax: (8-10-351-21) 846-30-08; e-mail: [email protected] embaixadarussia.pt; official website: http://www.portugal. mid.ru/
Consular department: tel.: (8-10-351-21) 846-44-76, 849-07-11; fax: (8-10-3511) 847-93-27; e-mail: [email protected]
emergency services
In an emergency, call 112. You can call the police from any blue street booth marked Policia, but you are unlikely to be answered in any language other than Portuguese.
How to get there
By plane. Aeroflot operates flights Moscow - Lisbon from Sheremetyevo-2. Air France also operates scheduled flights (with layover in Paris), fly to Lisbon and the planes of the airlines Lufthansa, Finnair and KLM. From mid-June to mid-September, charter flights are regularly organized to the Algarve resort area - Faro. The flight usually takes 2-3 hours.
Guides and excursions
Information about various excursions will be given to you at tourist offices, as well as at hotels.
All tour companies offer trips to Mafra, Queluz, Sintra, Cascais and Estoril, as well as longer trips north of Lisbon to Fatima, Alcobaça and Batalha, Obidos and Nazare. Contact Portugal Tours (Tel: 213-191-090; www.portugaltours.pt).
May to September public railways (www.cp.pt) offer rides on a historic train along the banks of the Douro River from Régua to Tua.
If you are traveling on your own, you can see all the sights at a leisurely pace, making stops for a day or two. Tours for individuals, families and groups are also organized by Tours for You (Tel: 213-904-208, www.toursforyou.pt).
Health and medical care
Hygiene standards in Portugal are very high. The main dangers that await tourists are the hot sun and alcohol. You can drink tap water, but still everyone, including local residents, prefers cheap bottled water.
Pharmacies (farmacias) open during regular business hours. Each district has a pharmacy on duty, which operates around the clock. Addresses are listed in newspapers and shop windows of all pharmacies.
In case of serious illness or injury, contact British Hospital (Rua Tomas da Fonseca Edifico BeF, Torres da Lisboa, Lisbon; tel: 217-213-400; or Campo de Ourique, tel: 213-943-100). English is spoken in these hospitals.
Under such a policy, you will be provided with free medical care in public and municipal hospitals in Portugal. Visiting private clinics is very expensive.
Language
The Portuguese language is derived from Latin. It is spoken in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Timor, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde and Macau. All these are former colonies of Portugal. Knowing Spanish will help you understand signs and menus, but it won't reveal the mysteries of spoken Portuguese. In Portugal they speak much faster than in Brazil.
Almost everyone understands Spanish. Many Portuguese speak French. In Lisbon, the Algarve and other parts of Portugal, many people speak English quite tolerably, if not fluently. English and French are taught in schools.
Cards
The tourist offices of different cities have convenient maps, including transport ones. The red, green and yellow Portuguese Touristic Maps offered by the tourist offices cover the whole country.
Mass media
A number of newspapers in Russian are published in Portugal: "Arguments and Facts" (32 pages of the most popular weekly with exclusive materials from the best Russian journalists), Slovo - a Russian weekly newspaper, Mayak Portugal - a weekly Russian newspaper, etc., and there are also sites on the Internet.
There are four main television channels in the country: two state (RTP1 and RTP2) and two independents. Films are usually shown in their original language with subtitles. Most hotels from three stars and above have satellite TV.
Currency
Currency. The Portuguese currency is the Euro. There are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1 and 2 euros, 1, 2, 5,10, 20 and 50 cents.
Currency exchange (banco, cambio). Usually banks are open Mon-Fri 8.30-15.00. In tourist areas, some banks close later and are also open on weekends for currency exchange. Exchange offices at airports operate around the clock. Cotacambios exchange office (Tel: 213-220-480; Rossio 41, Lisbon; www.cotacambios.com) open daily 8.00-22.00. There are similar exchange offices in all major cities.
Cashing traveler's checks incurs substantial fees. In addition, you will need a passport. Getting euros is much easier at ATMs. Moreover, there are more favorable exchange rate exchange.
Credit cards (cartao de credito). Credit cards are not accepted in all shops and restaurants, especially in small towns.
Traveler's checks. Checks can be cashed at any bank.
Opening hours
Most shops and offices are open on working days 9.00-13.00, 15.00-19.00, Sat 9.00-13.00. Most museums are closed on Mondays and public holidays. The palaces are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. On all other days (including Sunday) open from 10.00 or 11.00 to 17.00. However, in many places there is lunch from 12.00 to 14.00 or from 13.00 to 14.30. Some shopping malls in large cities open at 10.00 and work until 23.00 or until midnight, including on Sundays.
Police
Police with CD inscription armbands (Corpo Distrital, i.e. local police) should help tourists. These police officers usually speak some English.
Traffic is handled by the National Republican Guard (Guarda National Republicana - GNR). These police officers drive white cars or motorcycles. In an emergency, call 112.
Post offices are marked with the letters CTT (Correios, Telegraphos e Telefones). The post office in Portugal works well, although letters take a long time during the high season. Stamps can be bought at most stores (look for the Correios sign). Most mailboxes are red.
Central branches are open Mon-Fri 8.30-18.30 or 19.00. Local branches are open Mon-Fri 9.00-12.30, 14.00-18.00. Main post offices in major cities are open on Saturday mornings.
Letters to Europe take about a week. Correio Azul urgent mail is delivered in three days.
Public holidays
- January 1 - New Year
- April 23 - Freedom Day
- May 1 - Labor Day
- June 10 - National Day of Portugal
- August 15 - Assumption of the Mother of God
- October 5 - Republic Day
- November 1 - All Saints Day
- December 1 - Independence Day
- December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- December 25 - Christmas
There are holidays with variable dates, such as:
- Carnival
- Good Friday
- Corpus Christi
Check the date of these holidays in advance.
In addition, in every city at least once a year, the day of the patron saint is magnificently celebrated.
Religion
Portugal is a Catholic country. At the tourist offices you will find a list of services for English-speaking Catholics and representatives of other faiths. When visiting churches and cathedrals, dress appropriately. You should not enter churches bare-shouldered or in shorts.
Phones
The code for Portugal is 351. Local codes must be dialed before all telephone numbers, even for local calls (all numbers are nine digits).
Portugal Telecom pay phones accept phone cards and credit cards. Phone cards of various denominations from 3 euros can be bought at the post office, telephone companies and newsstands.
You can also call to Portugal and abroad from hotels, but it costs much more - use international phone cards.
To call abroad, dial 00 (international communication code both to Europe and overseas), then the country code and the subscriber's phone number with the area code without the leading "0". To call Moscow, dial 007 - 495 (499) and the subscriber's number. Most hotels can send a fax.
Mobile communications are excellent in Portugal. Main operators - "Vodafone" (www.vodafone.pt), "TMN" (www.tmn.pt) and "Optimus" (www.optimus.pt). If your GSM phone is not locked, please buy a local SIM card with upfront payment. It will be much cheaper than paying for international roaming.
Difference in time
Time in Portugal is 3 hours behind Moscow.
Tips
In hotels and restaurants, the cost of service is usually included in the bills, but in restaurants it is customary to leave a tip of 5-10%. The receptionist usually leaves 1 euro per suitcase. Tipping taxi drivers is about 10%.
toilets
There are public toilets in major cities. But you can always use the toilet in any bar or restaurant.
Tourist Information
The Portuguese National Board of Tourism (ICEP or Investimentos, Comercio e Turismo de Portugal) has branches in different countries (see website www.turismodeportugal.pt).
Representation of the Tourist Administration of Portugal in Russia: 129110, Moscow, st. Gilyarovsky, 51, building 1, tel.: +7-495-787-11-93; fax: +7-495-787-11-91. [email protected]
In Lisbon, the central tourist office is located at: Lisboa Welcome Centre, Rua do Arsenal 15, Prafa do Comercio; men.: 210-312-700. Ask Me Lisboa stalls are scattered throughout the city. Another office is located at the airport (arrivals terminal, tel.: 218-450-660). There are local tourist offices (turismo) in almost every city.
Help can be obtained by phone: 211-140-200 or 808-209-209. The cost of a call is equal to a local call. These phones provide information about places of interest, hotels, restaurants, transport, hospitals and the police.
Transport
Public transport usually operates from 6.00 or 7.00 until midnight or 1 am.
local buses (carros) and trams (electricos). In each city, bus and tram stops usually have small maps and information about which routes stop at that stop. Tickets can be bought on the bus. You can also buy travel cards or ticket books at kiosks and some shops. (if in doubt, ask the tourist office).
Metro (Metro). There are four metro lines in Lisbon (www.metrolisboa.pt). It is a convenient and fast mode of transport. There are over 70 metro stops in Porto (www.metrodoporto.pt). Tickets must be validated before boarding the train.
Taxi. Taxis in Portugal are most often black with a green roof and a "taxi" sign. City taxis have meters. On weekends, public holidays and from 23.00 to 07.00 the rates increase by 20%. In addition, there is an additional fee for each piece of luggage. Tipping is 10%. If there is no meter, then you must agree on a price before starting the trip. Most often, taxis stand at special parking lots, but some ply around the city in search of passengers. Taxis can be hired for the whole day for a fixed amount. Check with the tourist office for information on such excursions.
Intercity buses. Intercity buses are a fast, comfortable and inexpensive way to travel around Portugal (www.rede-expressos.pt). Buses belong different companies, but usually depart from the same bus station. Large cities may have several bus stations. All information will be given to you at the tourist offices. The bus route network is much more extensive than the railway network.
Trains (comboio). Trains in Portugal are owned by the state-owned company CP (Caminhos de Ferrpo Portugueses; www.cp.pt). Local trains stop at most stops. Intercity trains are more expensive and make fewer stops. Express (Rapido) go from Lisbon to Porto non-stop and are even more expensive. From Porto and Lisbon you can travel directly to the Algarve with the Blue Train (Comboio Azul).
All trains have first and second class carriages. Elderly passengers on trains that run from 6.30 to 9.30 and from 17.00 to 20.00, except weekends and holidays, as well as on suburban trains, receive a 50% discount (but you need to get free Cartao Dourada first).
Railway prices are lower than in most Western European countries. You can buy Bilhete Turisticos, which allows unlimited use of trains for 7, 14 or 21 days.
All railways in Portugal converge in Lisbon. There are four stations in the city: Santa Apolonia - international trains and trains leaving for the north of the country; Cais do Sodre - electric trains to the western suburbs, Estoril and Cascais; Rossio - trains to Sintra and to the west; from Sull e Sueste station, trains leave south (including the Algarve) and southeast (if necessary, the price of the ticket includes the cost of the ferry across the Tagus).
Ferries (barcafa). Many companies offer services for crossing the Tagus and other rivers, including the Douro and Guadiana, to the Troy Peninsula and neighboring islands. Information can be obtained from local tourist offices.
Local flights. TAP aircraft fly between Lisbon, Porto and Faro.
Visas and customs
Russian citizens need to obtain a visa at the Portuguese Embassy in their home country. The border between Spain and Portugal can hardly be called a border. You can freely visit both countries, but you need to have your passport with you.
Internet sites and Internet access
www.visitportugal.com - official website of the National Tourist Board. www.askmelisboa.com and www.pousadas.pt - information about public hotels. www.portugalvirtual.pt - general information and tourism database.
The tourist offices in Lisbon and Porto have lists of Internet cafes where tourists can, for a reasonable hourly (or per minute) fee to check your email. Outside of the major cities and tourist resorts of the Algarve, internet cafes are more difficult to find.
In Portugal, it is easy to feel at the end of the world, because you are on the westernmost cape of Europe. Further only the ocean and somewhere beyond it unexplored lands. The name "Portugal" comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Calais, which was once located at the mouth of the Douro River.
The country has a rich history. Portugal became an independent state in the 12th century. In the distant past, brave sailors set off on journeys from these shores, during which New World. In those days, little Portugal owned almost half of the world. And ahead of her were disappointments associated with the collapse of the colonial system and the long-term totalitarian regime. Despite the sad past, this country has managed to use its advantages and today become one of the most sophisticated European resorts.
Portugal has only two neighbors - Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to 90,000 m 2 in the Iberian Peninsula, it owns the Azores and the Madeira archipelago lying in the Atlantic. The capital of the country is Lisbon, other major cities are Porto, Setubal, Coimbra.
The administrative division of Portugal is 22 regions (18 of them are located on the mainland, three more in the Azores and one in Madeira).
Capital |
Lisbon |
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Population |
10,707,924 people |
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Population density |
114 people/km 2 |
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Portuguese |
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Religion |
Catholicism |
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Form of government |
parliamentary republic |
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Timezone |
UTC+0, summer UTC+1 |
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International dialing code |
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Internet domain zone |
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Electricity |
Climate and weather
Portugal has a warm sunny climate with mild winters. But note that in winter in the north, nevertheless, it is damp and cold, with snowfalls in the mountains.
And in summer there is much more precipitation than in the rest of the territory. In general, there is little rain, with an average of 500-700 mm of precipitation per year.
The average annual air temperature north of the Douro River is +10 °C, in the region between the Douro and Tagus rivers it is +16 °C, and in the Guadiana Valley it is +18 °C. In January, the average temperature in the northeast of the country is +7 °С, and in the south - +16 °С. In August, the average temperature almost coincides throughout the country - about + 25 ... + 27 ° С.
Nature
Along the shore Atlantic Ocean are the southern and western borders of Portugal. The landscape here is represented by a vast coastal valley. If you go towards the border with Spain, you can see how the lowlands give way to the foothills and mountains that occupy most of the country. Basically it is the outskirts of the plateau Meseta(height 1000-1200 m). In the east, the Portuguese lowland is framed by a plateau with separate mountain ranges(height 600-1000 m). The highest point in the country is Mt. Estrela(1993 m).
Major rivers in Portugal Tagus, Dora and Guadiana- originate in Spain, flow through the territory of Portugal and then flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
The vegetation of the country is diverse. In the south you can find olive trees and cork oaks, in the north you can walk through dense mixed forests, and in the central regions you can relax in eucalyptus groves. In the mountains, coniferous-deciduous forests, low-growing shrubs and alpine meadows alternate.
sights
People go to Portugal to see some of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and perfectly preserved impregnable fortresses of the Moors and Crusaders. Visit ancient cities and travel back in time while admiring the monuments of architecture.
Lisbon- a city of steep climbs, bridges, one-car trams, beautiful squares and famous museums.
Braga- the main religious center of the country. Henry of Burgundy, father of the first king of Portugal, is buried in the local cathedral. Another cathedral is located outside the city, but you should definitely go there. To the temple of Bon Jesus de Monti, the queue of pilgrims does not dry out. And the legacy of the Romans has been preserved in the city: the ruins of temples, an aqueduct and an amphitheater.
Porto is one of the oldest cities in the country. It was made famous by Prince Enrique, born here, who launched the era of the Great geographical discoveries; the altar of the Church of San Francisco, which took about 350 kg of gold; and, of course, port wine!
V Evora there is a Roman temple of Diana. You can not pass by the Franciscan church with a chapel, the inside of which is lined with human bones.
Nutrition
Portuguese cuisine is often referred to as "voluptuous". Why? One of its characteristic differences is the abundance of hot and spicy spices, which appeared here earlier than in the rest of Europe. What else is characteristic of Portuguese cuisine?
- First, the four main ingredients are rice, cabbage, cod and potatoes.
- Secondly, the Portuguese have a special love for soups.
- Thirdly, of course, an extensive range of fish and seafood dishes.
- Fourthly, the variety of recipes for cooking pork. And finally - it's a passion for very sweet desserts.
At the same time, each region of the country carefully preserves its traditions.
Most often offered for snacks seafood- boiled, in a light sauce or in the form of a salad. Soups are eaten both in the morning and in the evening. For Portuguese cuisine, thick mashed soups are most characteristic. Try " asorta» is a bread stew flavored with coriander and olive oil, eaten with fish, for example.
A variety of seafood is boiled or grilled and served with or without a side dish, as well as in the form of mixtures - mainly with rice.
When choosing a pork dish, do not miss " carne de porco and Alentyzhana". Alentejouan style pork is slices of meat in wine vinegar with red pepper, served with potatoes. Real jam!
And, of course, you can not pass by, the most national product - salted dried cod, in Portuguese " bacalhau". There are over 300 recipes for its preparation.
Portugal is famous for its wines and fine port wines. “Every wine would like to be port if it could” is what the English say. Be sure to visit the Port Museum in Lisbon to indulge in even more love for this drink.
Residence
The hotel chain of Portugal is well developed and includes hotels, apartments, motels, boarding houses, hostels. There are hotels in historical buildings - castles, palaces, monasteries. Prices differ depending on the season: January-March - low season; April, May and September - medium; July, August - high.
The average level of housing prices is 60 € for a double room.
In Portugal, it is quite common to rent out a room, apartment or house to tourists. As a rule, such accommodation is very comfortable. This way you can find a cheap room with a private bathroom.
Camping, as usual, is the cheapest option. True, many of them are closed out of season.
Entertainment and recreation
Favorite sport - football — locals ready to talk for hours. The three most popular clubs in Portugal are FC Porto, Sporting and Benfica.
Another favorite sight of the Portuguese - bullfight. Tourada is different from Spanish bullfighting. Here the bull is not killed in the arena, the cavaleiru (analogue of the Spanish matodor) must be excellent riders, because the tourada is only equestrian. The task of the cavalry is to stick 3-6 banderillas into the bull's scruff - small copies of different lengths.
Immerse yourself in Portuguese culture and go to a concert fado. What it is? Fado is a solo lyrical vocal piece performed to the accompaniment of a Portuguese guitar.
Don't miss your chance to indulge in amazing beaches located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Just 15 kilometers west of Lisbon are luxurious Cascais and Estoril. And yet the most popular resort area in Portugal - Algarve is an area located in the south of the country. Here, high cliffs and sand dunes frame wild, almost deserted beaches.
Each town in the province has its own characteristics:
- Faro attracts guests Old city, surrounded by Roman walls, as well as one of the largest motorcycle conventions in Europe, which takes place in mid-July.
- Olhão is famous for its fishing quarter with Moorish-style houses.
- Vilamoura-Crteira is the largest marina in the province.
- Albufeira is known for its huge number of bars, clubs and restaurants and is considered the most fun place in the Algarve.
- Portimão is a city gorgeous beaches and skyscrapers. In early May, the Formula 1 World Cup stage on scooters takes place here, and in early August, do not miss the sardine festival.
- Lagos is the starting point for the first overseas expeditions.
Purchases
In Portugal, small shops, luxury boutiques and huge shopping centers coexist everywhere. Shopping here will be very exciting.
Experience traditional crafts and bring home a little piece of this beautiful country. Many souvenirs use the motifs of "handkerchiefs of love". Previously, a girl reflected her feelings with embroidery and gave such a scarf to her lover. The ornament is clear to everyone - a heart, red carnations, lilies, roses. Why not a gift to a loved one?
A very original purchase - a piece of cork leather. What is not made of it - bags, umbrellas, hats and even fountain pens. The most popular souvenir in the country is the Barcelos red clay cockerel. You will be very pleased with the variety of ceramics.
Portugal is also famous for its gold and silver filigree work.
Walking through shopping centers and shops, do not pass by colorful and lively markets where you can buy almost everything. Here you can wander for hours. Visit the Coimbra market (open daily), Barcelos market (Thursdays) and Carcavelos market in the suburbs of Lisbon.
Shops are open from 8:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays - until 13:00. Shopping centers are open from 10:00 and wait for customers until late in the evening every day. Dine in Portugal from 12:00 to 14:30.
Transport
There are 66 airports in Portugal. International airports are open in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the Azores and Madeira. Tap Air Portugal is the national carrier.
Network length railways is 2,800 km, and automobile - 68,700 km. There are three types of trains: intercidade (IC), interregional (IR) and regional (R). Tickets for regional trains are half the price of the rest.
Bus network provides communication between most Portuguese cities. As for trains, there is a division into classes: expressos - fast and comfortable, carry out transportation between major cities; rapidas - fast regional buses; carreiras stop at every intersection.
Main seaports : Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira) Horta (Azores), Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castel.
It is advisable to use urban public transport only in Porto and Lisbon. These cities have Metro. Be sure to take a trip to tram or funicular in Lisbon, Braga and Nazar. At the stops there are information stands with information about the movement of transport, indicating the route and the exact time of arrival and departure.
Find Taxi very easy, even in the smallest towns. The cars are painted beige.
The speed limits in Portugal are 120 km/h on autobahns, 90 km/h on highways and 60 km/h within city limits. The fine for exceeding is paid on the spot. 0.5 ppm is the maximum allowed blood alcohol level for a driver. Please note that Portuguese drivers may overtake in the most dangerous places, such as around a sharp curve.
Connection
The cheapest way to call is a phone booth. Cards with a face value of 5 and 10 € are sold at newsstands and at the post office.
The mobile communication network covers the entire country. Very rarely where you can find the absence of a signal. Three main mobile operators: Optimus, TMN, Vodafone. The cost of a SIM card is about 10 €. You can buy it in official sales centers.
Free WiFi in Portugal can be found with ease. Many hotels provide this service, and look for it at airports and shopping centers. There is even a program in Lisbon " digital gardens» — 21 free access points in gardens and parks.
Safety
In Portugal, as in any other country in the world, it is necessary to monitor the safety of documents and personal belongings. Just in case, make a photocopy of your passport.
Leave cars only in guarded parking lots. Do not forget expensive things in the cabin that can attract intruders.
It is better to use ATMs that are indoors rather than outdoors.
You can drink tap water, but bottled drinking water is sold everywhere.
Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. Smoking is prohibited in public transport, educational institutions, hospitals, museums, indoor entertainment, sports centers, hotels, theaters, shops, indoor parking lots. The fine is from 50 to 70 €.
Portugal is suffering from forest fires. Fines for making a fire in a place that is not specially equipped for this are very high.
Portugal is located in an active seismic zone, on average, earthquakes of magnitude 8 or more are recorded every two years.
Business climate
Portugal hosts a large number of international exhibitions in various fields of activity. Large exhibition complexes are located in Lisbon (Centro de Congressos de Lisboa, Cordoaria Nacional, Feira Internacional de Lisboa Exhibition Fairground), Porto (Exponor - Oporto International Fair, Centro de Congressos da Alfandega do Porto) and Braga (PEB - Empresa Parque de Exposições de Braga).
The main sectors of the Portuguese economy: woodworking, clothing and footwear, metalworking, paper and cork production, oil refining and chemical, fish processing, tourism, wine and port wine production.
In the south, the main industrial area - Lisbon-Setubal, and in the north Porto Braga-Aveiro.
The following types of taxes are levied in Portugal: Imposto MunicipalsobreTransmissões - IMT (property transfer tax - up to 6%), Municipal sobre os Imóveis - IMI (real estate tax - for rural areas - 0.8%, within the city - from 0.2 % up to 0.5%, Imposto de selo (printing tax - a fixed amount or a certain percentage, depending on the importance of the document), Imposto Sobre o Valor Acrescentado (VAT - 21%, 12%, 5%) and others.
The property
Investing in real estate is profitable - it will always pay for itself. So why not do it in Portugal? The most attractive places to buy are the cities of Lisbon (average price for 1m 2 - 2100 €) and the adjacent Riviera (average price for 1m 2 - 1500-3000 €), Cascais, Porto (average price for 1m 2 - 800-1000 €) and the Algarve region (average price for 1m 2 - 1800-3500 €).
After choosing a suitable object for purchase, it must be registered in the property. The process has two parts. The first is the signing of the contract. The buyer must pay between 10 and 25% of the total value of the property. The seller, in turn, is obliged to remove the object from the auction. The notary checks the property - this process can take from 3 to 6 months. During this time, you can cancel the purchase, but the amount paid is not refundable. If the seller refuses, he will have to reimburse the original amount in double size.
The second part is the direct signing of the final agreement with the payment of the remaining amount. Before that, the buyer must pay the property transfer tax - the rate depends on the value of the property.
- Many people in Portugal speak Spanish, English, French or German, but they will be very pleased if you pronounce the basic formulas of politeness in their own language. Learn a few phrases in Portuguese: "Ola" - hello, "Ate Logu" - goodbye, "Obrigado (husband)", "Obrigada (wife)" - thank you, "pur favor" - please, "sim" - yes, "no" - no.
- In restaurants, bread, snacks and water are usually served at the table, but most often they are not free. They will certainly be included in your bill.
- Cigarettes in Portugal in many places are sold in vending machines that are blocked, in order to still make a purchase, you must ask a store employee or cafe waiter to unlock them.
- Leave high heels at home - most of the sidewalks here are paved with paving stones.
- You can find the toilet by clear pictures, or by signs with the letters H (Homem) - this is a men's toilet, S (Senhora) - a women's toilet.
Visa Information
Portugal is a member of the Schengen Agreement. A visa must be obtained at the embassy of that country.
Portugal is a country for people who, above all, value comfort and pleasure. Slowly strolling through the Portuguese streets, you can feel the atmosphere of France or Spain. There is no rush that is usual for large tourist cities.
The country honors traditions, rich historical and architectural heritage, the main value for the Portuguese is the family. Of course, the inhabitants of the country know how to enjoy life, surrounding themselves with comfort and creating it for travelers. If you want to see the real Europe - proud and beautiful - come to Portugal, enjoy the scent of eucalyptus and oranges, taste the famous Portuguese wine and plunge into the atmosphere of sad fado music.
General information
Portugal is the westernmost European state, located on the Iberian Peninsula. From two sides - west and south - the state is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east and north - it borders on Spain. The country occupies an area of 92.1 square kilometers and is home to 10.7 million people.
City of Porto
In addition to the mainland, the country includes the Azores and. , single official language- Portuguese.
Portugal is a unique state; during its existence, the country has experienced rapid ups and downs into a deep abyss. In the 16th century it was a powerful superpower, it included many colonies, but soon the state found itself on the outskirts of Europe. Today, Portugal is experiencing another boom.
Great discoveries
It's safe to say that sailors from Portugal changed the world forever. It was the Portuguese who were the first to venture into the waters of the Atlantic and follow the coast of Africa.
Vasco da Gama
The famous navigator Vasco da Gama was the first to reach the western shores of India. His fleet was the first to set foot on the coast of Ceylon and Sumatra. This event was the beginning of trade relations between Portugal, China and Japan.
Portuguese navigators were the first to reach the shores of South America and landed in Brazil. According to some historical data, it was the navigators from Portugal who sailed to the shores of North America before the expedition of Columbus.
The first sea voyage around the world was carried out by the Spaniards, but it was led by the Portuguese Fernando Magellan. The captain failed to triumphantly return to his homeland, but the Portuguese navigators gained worldwide fame.
Manueline style
Manueline style, Hotel Bussaco The Portuguese became famous not only because of the courage of sailors. The unique style in architecture, called Manueline, is the personal contribution of masters from Portugal to world architecture. A distinctive feature of the style is stone carving. The style first appeared in the second half of the 15th century during the reign of the monarch Manuel I, after whom the style was named. Architects drew inspiration from the achievements of navigators. The basis of the style is Gothic, complemented by a large amount of decor and decorations. Skillful craftsmen carved amazing patterns on the marine theme from stone. The first buildings designed in the style of Manueline:
- temple of Jesus in Setúbal;
- Belen tower in Lisbon;
- monastery of hieronymites;
- Chapel of the Temple of Batalha.
Interesting to know! In the 16th century, the Manueline style lost its relevance, since in the middle of the century the country became part of Europe, where the Renaissance style was revered.
Traditions and contrasts
Portugal is a state of amazing contrasts. Wanting to keep up with modern Europe, some regions of the country look European stylish. There are also regions where traditions are honored. In Portugal, settlements have survived where the land is plowed with oxen and people continue to wear black clothes.
portuguese girl The centuries-old history of the state left an indelible mark on the appearance of regions, cities and people. The Phoenicians were the first to settle in the country, then the Romans came to power, leaving new cities and high-quality roads as a legacy. Jews worked as specialists in the medical field and as artisans. The Moors were skillful builders of fortresses, growing amazing gardens and erecting settlements, where narrow streets intertwined in a bizarre way.
Interesting to know! In the north of the country live people with white skin and blue eyes - the descendants of the Celts and Germanic tribes. Residents of the southern regions are characterized by olive skin and black eyes.
In difficult times, many residents emigrated from Portugal, but today, during the period of economic prosperity, the country is getting stronger again - new residential buildings appear (mainly in the northern regions). The state attracts many immigrants. This is the best proof that Portugal has become a truly democratic, European, stable country.
Short story
The first ancestors of the Portuguese settled on the territory of the modern state in the 4th century BC. Later, the Romans conquered the land. The name Portugal comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Calais. In the 5th century, the state was under the control of the Visigoths. Two centuries later, power in the territory of the state was assigned to the Arabs.
Antonio Salazar At the beginning of the 12th century, the country received the status of an independent kingdom. After 30 years, the independence of Portugal was recognized by the Pope. The following years were a great test for the Portuguese, as the country fought fierce battles with the Moors.
Since the 15th century, the state has been actively expanding its territory and strengthening its borders - Madeira and Brazil have also become part of it.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Methuen Agreement was signed, in accordance with this provision, Portugal became completely dependent on England. 100 years later, Napoleon's troops invaded Portuguese territory. However, a year later, the invaders left Portugal.
The 19th and 20th centuries were revolutionary for the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, a revolution took place that changed the form of government - Portugal received the status of a republic.
Antonio Salazar ruled the country from 1932 and for forty years. His dictatorial regime was overthrown during the April Revolution. Since then, the country has been moving along the path of democratic reforms.
Economy
In the second half of the 20th century, Portugal was on the list of underdeveloped industrial-agrarian states. In 1986, the state became a member of the EU, after which its economy stabilized.
solar farm The share of the country in the gross domestic product of the EU is about 2%. Portugal has the lowest rates of unemployment and inflation.
Interesting Facts:
- in the production of copper concentrate, the country occupies a leading position in the EU;
- the country produces almost 5% more electricity than it actually consumes;
- most of the electricity is generated through hydropower;
- a specific industrial sector, characteristic only for Portugal, is the production of cork;
- the country confidently occupies the first lines in the list of European countries for the extraction and processing of seafood, the production of wine, port wine and olive oil.
Most industrial enterprises are located between the capital and Porto. The most important for the country is water transport. There are also 67 airports in the country, the length of roads is 60,000 km, and the length of railways is only 3,000 km.
It is interesting! In terms of living standards, Portugal is included in the list of the top thirty countries in the world.
Regions, cities and resorts
Regions of Portugal Many tourists are completely in vain limited to visiting only Lisbon and a beach holiday in the Algarve. The brightest and most memorable sights are located next to the usual tourist trails, it is enough to move away from the usual route.
Despite the fact that the area of Portugal is half the size of the area of Britain, hundreds of historical and architectural sights have been preserved here. In addition, the country surprises with a variety of landscapes.
In Portugal, you can visit about 200 palaces and fortresses that were built for the ruling monarchs to protect possessions from enemy attacks from the sea and land. Each castle is a luxurious, majestic building, many of them are now hotels and host guests in chic rooms decorated in a historical style.
Street in Lisbon Of course the most beautiful city in the country - this is the capital, Lisbon. After an earthquake in 1755, it was completely restored, turning it into a luxurious European capital.
Algarve beaches are located 160 km from Lisbon. Europeans love to come here, accustomed to comfort and mild climate. lovers a relaxing holiday on the sandy coast under the warm sun, the southern regions of the country are chosen, where you can find secluded beaches with golden sand, the clearest ocean, picturesque bays surrounded by steep cliffs.
One of the Algarve beaches North of the Algarve is the province of Alentejo, known for its agricultural land.
University of Evora The main administrative city of the province is one of the oldest. The city is ideal for exploring the original national cuisine. The region is borderline, ancient castles have been preserved here, many wheat fields, olive groves, oaks grow - the raw material for the production of cork.
North of the capital, along the Atlantic coast, there are two regions - Extremadura and Ribatejo. Fishing families live here, the coast is comfortable for a beach holiday, and there is a lot of agricultural land. Tourists come here to visit religious monuments and sights.
Coimbra in the evening Further north is the region of forests and mountains - Beiras. It is here that tourists come to conquer the highest point of continental Portugal. Beiras is known for the unique variety of Serra cheese, which is produced only here. Travelers are attracted by fortified cities, amazing lagoons and one of the oldest European universities - the university.
Northern part The state is fundamentally different from the provinces located in the south and in the center. The north of the country is covered with hills where traditions are revered, on the banks of the Douro River grapes are grown, from which the world-famous port wine is produced.
Madeira Island 
Golf course in the Algarve Portugal attracts sports fans; there are comfortable golf courses in the country. You can also go horseback riding, tennis, water sports sports.
Excellent conditions for surfing and fishing are created in the west of Portugal.
Portugal is a country of festivals and various holidays. A distinctive feature of Portuguese festive events is street markets. In large tourist cities there are night clubs, luxurious restaurants, casinos.
Wine Vault If you are planning a gastronomic tour of the country, choose the western regions. Here you will be served tasty and satisfying meals in any restaurant and small cafe. Tourists are offered to try wines right in the vineyards.
The most spectacular sports are bullfighting and football. The main difference between the Portuguese bullfight is that the animal remains alive. Fights take place from May to October.
Portugal is a favorite travel destination for the whole family. Children's pools are equipped on the territory of the hotels, and shallows can be found on the beaches. Older children enjoy exploring the rocky bays with great pleasure.
Interesting to know! The beaches have a flag that indicates the state of the sea. A green flag means that the beach is safe and the water is suitable for swimming. The yellow flag warns against swimming. The red flag forbids swimming.
Cork products Shoppers come to Portugal to buy unique things presented in old souvenir shops. Crafts have been preserved in many regions; local craftsmen make beautiful jewelry and ceramics. You can buy carpets made of natural wool, handmade baskets and, of course, cork products.
Street markets are a special place with a colorful atmosphere. Visiting such a market will be a real entertainment. Street markets operate in many Portuguese cities.
It is important! Residents of countries that are not members of the EU are entitled to a VAT refund.
To do this, in a store where there is a Tax Free sign, you need to fill out the documents. The amount is returned to the card in the airport building or after the tourist returns from the trip.
Azulejo tiles - articles made of copper and bronze;
- handmade carpets;
- ceramics and azulejos;
- cork products;
- embroidery;
- famous sweets from the Algarve;
- Jewelry;
- leather products;
- music – if you are a real connoisseur of music and want to bring a piece of the soul of Portugal from your trip, be sure to buy a recording of classical fado;
- wine, port, products.
Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 19:00, on Saturday only until 13:00. During the day, all shops are closed from 13-00 to 15-00. Sunday is a day off. Large shopping centers are open every day, open at 10-00 and close around midnight. Markets open at 8:00 am and trade ends at 12:00 pm.
culture
The culture of Portugal was formed under the influence of many nations. In what is now Portugal, different times Arabs, Romans, Moors, Spaniards ruled. The Portuguese language originated from a mixture of Arabic and Latin.
The diversity of peoples and traditions left an imprint on the appearance of the provinces and regions of the country. Many cities have retained their original, ancient atmosphere. The northern provinces have a traditional appearance for Portugal. The southern part of Portugal is warm, sunny, and attracts with a mild Mediterranean climate.
Women's national costume Part of the local color, of course, is the national costume, each region has its own. In Portugal, it is customary to wear national clothes on holidays. For women, this is a striped or plaid skirt with a brightly colored apron, as well as a snow-white blouse. Men wear cropped trousers, leggings, a wide belt, a loose shirt and a vest.
Religion and the Catholic faith are especially revered in the country. The facades of many buildings are decorated with faces of saints and crucifixes. Religion for local residents is a way of life, most holidays and celebrations are religious in nature, but this does not prevent residents from having fun, which is why all events are accompanied by cheerful music, fireworks, theatrical performances and dances.
The family is treated with special respect in the country. For every Portuguese, the family is not only parents and children, but also all relatives. Until recently, a large family for Portugal was common, but today, parents, as a rule, bring up no more than two children. The whole family often gathers for lunch and dinner. Family traditions are honored here - the man is the head of the family, and the woman is the keeper of the hearth.
Interesting features of the Portuguese character:
- locals like to talk a lot and emotionally, they accompany the conversation with gestures;
- there is a certain slowness in the character of the Portuguese, they are often late, however, the meal time is sacred for them;
- every meal is a kind of ritual during which you can drink a glass of wine and discuss the news;
- coffee is the national drink of the Portuguese;
- the country sincerely loves football, there are many women among the fans of this sport;
- A distinctive feature of the Portuguese is responsiveness and politeness; it is customary to say hello in every store.
Kitchen
Portuguese cuisine is wonderful in every sense, no matter where and what you want to eat. Delicious dishes are prepared for you in a luxurious restaurant and a rustic cafe.
National dish of tuna Spices are used sparingly in dishes, only to emphasize the taste of the main ingredients. Hot pepper is practically not added. In two words, Portuguese cuisine can be described as simple and delicious.
In each province, tourists are treated to specialties. You can safely order fish and seafood, because the freshest products are used for cooking. Sweet lovers, of course, will not be able to resist the abundance of various desserts.
Of course, it is impossible to visit Portugal and not taste wine and port. Port is considered calling card countries, white varieties are served as an aperitif, and red varieties are great with desserts.
If you're on holiday in Madeira, be sure to try their swordfish dishes.
There are as many wines in Portugal as there are dishes in the national cuisine. It produces red, white and green varieties. Green wines are young, dry drinks produced in the province of Minho.
Geography
Mountain range in Portugal From the point of view of the landscape, the state is visually divided into two zones - northern and southern. The ancient massif Meseta dominates in the north. Mountain regions rise above the sea to a height of up to 1200 meters. The highest point on the mainland of the country is Mount Estrela (1993 meters).
The south is dominated by low hills and plains. In the east, you can find a hill up to 1000 meters high.
The two major rivers are the Douro and the Tagus. The Douro flows through fertile lands, where grapes are grown for the world-famous port wine. On the banks of the calm Tejo you can see numerous herds of horses.
There are protected areas in Portugal. Most of it is located near the Spanish border, along the coast, also in the north. The authorities strictly protect bird colonies and nesting areas located in river deltas and swamps.
Climate and weather
The landscape of Portugal is heterogeneous, but the country has a typical Mediterranean climate. The exception is the Algarve coast, it is hot here in summer, and warm clothes are required in winter, because it can be cold.
Useful advice! Lisbon and Alentejo are quite hot in summer, so always take water with you. For travel in the mountains (north of the country), stock up on warm clothes.
Weather in the north:
- in summer the weather is clear, there is practically no precipitation, the temperature does not rise above +27 ° C, in the mountains - +18, the average water temperature is +17 ° C;
- in winter the temperature varies from +7 to +14 °С, the probability of precipitation is high.
The least precipitation falls in July, while the rainiest month is January.
Weather in the south:
In the southern provinces throughout the year it remains warm, without precipitation:
- in summer, the average temperature varies from +25 to +29 °С;
- in winter the temperature does not fall below +5 and does not rise above +17 °C.
From June to August, rains are extremely rare, they almost never happen. Most precipitation falls in November.
- the best period for travel is from May to October, the weather is warm and comfortable enough for relaxing on the beach and for educational excursions, there is no rain;
- you need to swim carefully, because cool ocean currents pass near the coast;
- the best place for swimming is south of the capital of Portugal, where the water temperature is several degrees higher;
- surfers traditionally come to Portugal in spring.
Currency
The currency of Portugal is the euro. You can exchange currency at the points that are marked - banco or cambio.
Almost all bank branches are open from Monday to Friday from 8-30 to 15-00. Some branches are open on weekends for money exchange transactions.
Exchange offices are located in airport buildings and in large settlements, work around the clock.
It is important! To receive money by traveler's checks at any exchange office, you need to pay a commission (up to 13%). It is more profitable to use an ATM (multibancos) - in this case, you do not need a passport and the exchange rate is the most favorable.
- credit cards are not accepted in all stores, as a rule, a non-cash form of payment is possible only in big cities;
- traveler's checks are cashed by each branch of the bank;
- it is better to come to Portugal with the euro, or exchange currency at the airport building;
- the exchange rate in different banking organizations differs significantly;
- it is strongly not recommended to change money on city streets;
- in some cases, you can pay in dollars.
Transport
Metro in Porto Buses and trams
All stops are equipped with a route map and a complete list of routes that pass through this stop. The ticket is bought directly from the driver, in kiosks or at the tourist office you can buy a travel card.
There are 4 metro lines in Lisbon. In Porto, the metro has about 70 stops. Travel is allowed only on condition of a validated ticket.
This is what a taxi looks like Portuguese taxis are black cars with a bright, green roof and traditional markings - Taxi. Meters are installed in cars that run in cities. In the period from 23-00 to 7-00 the tariff increases by an average of 20%. You will also have to pay extra for luggage. Do not forget to tip the driver - 10% of the trip amount. If there is no meter in the car, the fare will be fixed, it is important to agree on it before the trip.
Good to know! In many travel companies offer special excursions in a taxi, a car with a driver can be taken for the whole day for a fixed fee.
Intercity buses
Transport links between cities in Portugal are well established. In addition, the fare is quite affordable. Several carrier companies operate in the country, but all flights depart from the bus station. It should be borne in mind that in large settlements, as a rule, there are several bus stations. The bus route network is more extensive and comfortable than the railway network.
The state-owned company is in charge of rail transportation in the country. Local trains make all stops along the route. Intercity trains are more expensive and do not stop at all stops. Express trains run from Lisbon to Porto. On any train, you can buy a ticket in a first or second class carriage.
To cross the Douro and Tagus, you can use ferry crossing. This is one of the most convenient ways get to Troy and other islands.
Important! You can rent a bike in all major cities, but keep in mind that it is quite difficult to drive along the streets of Portugal - there are many narrow streets, climbs, and sharp turns.
You can rent a car, driving experience must be more than one year and the age of the client is not less than 21 years.
It should be noted that quite often there are no markings on the roads. There are toll roads, as a rule, these are new, high-speed routes.
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Visas
Residents of Ukraine who have a biometric passport do not need a visa to visit Portugal. Other citizens of the CIS countries need to apply for a Schengen visa. Documents are accepted by visa centers. Package of required documents:
- the passport;
- three photos;
- questionnaire;
- the standard fee is 35 euros.
You will also need to be fingerprinted. All data is valid for five years, after which the procedure is repeated. As a rule, a visa is issued within 5 working days.
On a note! The Portuguese-Spanish border is rather conditional, with a passport you can easily visit the two countries.
Communication and Wi-Fi
There are three mobile operators in the country that provide mobile services:
- Vodafone;
- Optimus;
The card costs an average of 10 euros, it can be purchased in specialized mobile phone stores or in ordinary stores. On the streets there are special machines for paying for telephone communications. To do this, you need a Creditofone card.
A free Wi-Fi zone is available in all hotels, cafes, large shopping malls, railway stations and airport buildings. In the capital, free Wi-Fi is available in parks. Mobile Internet costs an average of 15 euros per month.
The Age of Discovery, when the Portuguese discovered India and America, ended in the middle of the 17th century. Perhaps now, in the 21st century, the time has come for tourists to discover Portugal itself. Indeed, in Portugal there is not only football, but also ancient monuments of architecture, medieval fortresses and palaces, excellent wines, beautiful nature and beach resorts, many of which are popular with European aristocratic families.
Geography of Portugal
Portugal is located on the famous Iberian Peninsula, in the south-west of Europe. In the north and east, Portugal borders on Spain, and in the west and south it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal includes the Azores and the Madeira archipelago. The total area of this country is 301,338 sq. km.
The northern part of Portugal is occupied by mountains, and the southern part by plains and lowlands. The most high peak- Mount Estrela, whose height reaches 1,993 meters.
Several rivers flow through the territory of Portugal, the largest of them are Tajo and Duero.
Capital of Portugal
The capital of Portugal is Lisbon, which is now home to more than 550 thousand people. Archaeologists claim that a human settlement on the site of modern Lisbon existed as early as 1200 BC.
Official language
The official language in Portugal is Portuguese, which belongs to the Romance group of the Indo-European language family. The second official language in Portugal is Mirandese, which also belongs to the Romance group of languages. This language is spoken in the northeast of the country.
Religion
More than 91% of the population of Portugal are Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Another 3.2% of Portuguese consider themselves Protestants or Orthodox Christians.
State structure
According to the Constitution of 1976, Portugal is a parliamentary constitutional republic. The President is elected for 5 years. The country's parliament is the Assembleia da República, consisting of 230 deputies elected for a 4-year term.
The main political parties in Portugal are the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the coalition of the Portuguese Communist Party and the Greens.
Climate and weather
The climate in mainland Portugal varies considerably from region to region, depending on the topography and proximity to the sea. Winters are cold, especially in the hinterland of Portugal, while summers are hot and dry. In the coastal regions of the country, the air temperature is slightly lower, due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean.
The climate of the Azores is strongly influenced by the current of the Gulf Stream, and is characterized by hot summers and warm winter. In Madeira, the climate is subtropical, the average temperature in summer is + 24C, and in winter - + 19C.
Ocean off Portugal
Portugal is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal includes the Azores and the Madeira archipelago (they are located in the Atlantic Ocean). The coast of continental Portugal is 943 km.
The average temperature of the Atlantic Ocean in the south of Portugal in the Algarve:
- January - +14С
- February - +14С
- March - +16С
- April - +16C
- May - +17C
- June - +19C
- July - +20C
- August - +21C
- september - +21C
- october - +19C
- November - +17С
- December - +15С
Rivers and lakes of Portugal
Most of the rivers in Portugal originate in the Mesete mountains. The largest of them are Tajo, Duero, Minho and Guadiana. Another large Portuguese river originates in the Serra da Estrela mountains.
There are no large natural lakes in continental Portugal (there are only artificial reservoirs). However, there are several large lagoons here.
Story
The history of Portugal dates back to the Celtic tribes who settled the Iberian Peninsula around 700 BC. Later, the territory of modern Portugal was conquered by the Romans, and then the Moors (Arabs). Portugal (together with Spain) remained under Moorish rule for over 400 years.
Only in 1143 did Portugal become an independent state led by King Alfonso Enrique. In the 15th century, the expansion of Portugal abroad began, and the Portuguese built a huge colonial empire, which included Africa, South America, India and Far East. However, Spain conquered Portugal in the 16th century.
During the era of the Napoleonic Wars, Portugal was captured by the French armies of Napoleon Bonaparte, but the rule of the French was short-lived. England intervened in the war and, in the end, the Napoleonic soldiers left Portugal.
Throughout the 19th century, the decline of Portugal continues, and, in the end, at the beginning of the 20th century, a revolution took place in this country. The monarchy was dissolved in 1910, King Manuel II went into exile, and Portugal was proclaimed a democratic republic.
In 1928, a military coup took place in Portugal, and António de Oliveira Salazar came to power for many years. His reign lasted until 1968.
During World War II, Portugal declared its neutrality. After a military coup in 1974, Portugal recognized the independence of its African colonies.
In 1949, Portugal joined the NATO military bloc, and in 1986 it was admitted to the European Union. In 1999, Portugal handed over its Chinese colony of Macau to communist China.
Culture of Portugal
Portuguese culture takes its traditions from the era of the Celts, who big influence to local folklore. In turn, Portuguese culture during the Great Geographical Discoveries had a great influence on the culture of some countries in Africa and South America.
Traditional Portuguese fado music has been influenced by Arabic, Greek, and Spanish musical traditions.
Portugal is a country of fairs, festivals and festivities. The most grandiose holiday is St. Anthony's Day, celebrated on June 13 every year in Lisbon. Saint Anthony was a Franciscan friar. He is considered the patron saint of sailors and poor people. On the night of June 12-13, Lisbon turns into one big fair.
June 23-24 in Porto celebrates the Day of St. John, who is the patron saint of this city. On the night of June 23-24, literally all the inhabitants of Porto take to the streets, and the city turns into one big carnival. The celebration of Saint John's Day has pagan roots, when the Celts celebrated the summer solstice.
If you are in Portugal in August, be sure to visit the village of Santa Maria da Feira. This village hosts a jousting tournament every year, during which knights in heavy armor and with swords fight each other.
Kitchen
In the 15th century, the Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator ordered all Portuguese sailors, merchants and travelers to bring exotic fruits, vegetables and plants that they would meet on their way to Portugal without fail. Therefore, as a result of the Great geographical discoveries, Portuguese cuisine was enriched with new products, as well as spices.
It was the Portuguese navigators who brought potatoes, tomatoes and tea to Europe. However, the Romans and the Moors also had a great influence on Portuguese cuisine.
Fresh fish and shellfish are on the menu of every regional Portuguese cuisine. The traditional national Portuguese dish is "bacalhau" (dried cod). The Portuguese claim that there are 365 ways to cook dried cod.
Other traditional Portuguese dishes include "caldeirada" (stewed fish or squid stew), "cozido à Portuguesa" (stewed vegetables with meat), "tripeiros" (pork sausages), "tripeiros" (meat dish), soup " caldo verde" (with potatoes, cabbage and sausage), and "pastel de nata" biscuits.
Portugal is famous for its wines. Tourists in this country are advised to try the local "Port" and "Madeira".
Sights of Portugal
The Portuguese have always carefully preserved their historical monuments, so it is not surprising that there are so many attractions in this country. The top ten Portuguese attractions in our opinion include the following:
Cities and resorts
The largest Portuguese cities are Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Amadora, Funchal and Setubal.
Portuguese Republic, a state in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. The capital is the city of Lisbon. The area, together with the islands, is 92.3 thousand square meters. km. From the south and west, the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the north and east it borders on Spain. In addition, Portugal includes the Azores, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,450 km west of Lisbon, and the Madeira archipelago, 970 km southwest of Lisbon.
The name of the country comes from the name of the Roman settlement Portus Cale at the mouth of the Douro River. In 1139 Portugal became a kingdom independent of Spain. At that time, it occupied only the northern third of its modern territory. In 1249, the last Muslim ruler in the south of the country was expelled, and since then its borders have changed little. In the 15th century Portugal was the leading maritime power in Europe, and in the next century the first of the European countries to create a huge empire with overseas possessions in South America, Africa, India and the East Indies. In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown in Portugal, and in 1974 a democratically minded military junta put an end to the dictatorial regime that had existed since 1926. The constitution adopted in 1976 proclaimed Portugal a parliamentary republic with direct elections and universal suffrage for the adult population. In addition to modern administrative divisions, districts, division into 11 historical provinces is often used in Portugal.
NATURE
Terrain relief.
On the territory of Portugal, the valleys of the Douro (Duero) and Tejo (Tajo) rivers are clearly distinguished. In the upper reaches, they are narrow and deeply incised; downstream, they expand and, near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, pass into flat lowlands. These rivers are the natural boundaries of five of the six geographic regions of the country. At the same time, the border between Portugal and Spain is almost never associated with natural boundaries.
The relief of the provinces of Minho in the west and Traz-os-Montes and Alto-Douro in the east, located north of the Douro river, is rugged, mountainous. The province of Beira, extending from the river Douro to the upper part of the river Tejo, except for the coastal plain, is also occupied by mountains. In its central part there is the highest point of Portugal - Mount Estrela (1993 m above sea level). The fertile plains in the lower reaches of the Tagus River (Ribatejo province) and in the coastal zone north and south of the country's capital, Lisbon, belong to the province of Extremadura. To the east and south of it stretches the province of Alentejo, with a soft hilly terrain, and the whole southern part Portugal is occupied by the plains of the Algarve province, which are similar in natural conditions to the Mediterranean zone of North Africa.
The soils of Portugal are mostly sandy, acidic, formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The exception is the fertile loamy soils of the alluvial plain in the lower reaches of the Tejo River. Several seismically active zones are distinguished on the territory of Portugal, the largest of them are located in the Algarve, Minho and near Lisbon.
Climate.
Portugal, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, has a temperate Mediterranean climate. Several climatic regions can be distinguished: northwestern with abundant rains, mild winters and short summers; northeastern with longer, cold, snowy winters and hot summers, and southern with a deficit of precipitation, long hot, dry summer and mild winters. In Lisbon, air humidity is low and average temperatures range from 10°C in January to 23°C in August. The average annual rainfall here is 700 mm.
vegetable and animal world.
The natural vegetation of Portugal, although heavily modified by man, reflects the climatic features listed. Where oceanic influence predominates, pine grows in abundance. On the northern and central coasts, it forms significant forests, in the tree layer of which there is also Portuguese oak (Quercus lusitanica), and in the shrub layer - broom. In areas with long, hot and dry summers, cork and holm oaks are common.
Forests cover 1/5 of the territory of Portugal; almost half of them are coniferous, mostly pine. Approximately 607 thousand hectares are occupied by cork oak plantations. Portugal supplies half of the world's cork production. The area of eucalyptus plantations, characterized by rapid growth, is rapidly expanding; it is the most important source of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. Forests are essential to the economy and foreign trade of Portugal.
Of the animals in the country, there are species typical of Central Europe (lynx, wild forest cat, wolf, fox, wild boar, bear, various rodents), as well as representatives of the North African fauna (genet, chameleon, etc.). Portugal is located on one of the main migration routes of migratory birds, so many species of birds are found here. More than 200 species of fish are found in coastal waters, including commercial ones, including sardines, anchovies and tuna.
POPULATION
Ethnic composition.
The population of the country is mono-ethnic, 99% are Portuguese. Many peoples have long settled on the Iberian Peninsula. The most ancient inhabitants - the Iberians - were undersized and swarthy. Over the centuries, the appearance of the Portuguese was formed under the influence of the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, as well as Germanic tribes, in particular the Visigoths and Alemanni.
Demography.
For a century and a half, the population of Portugal has grown from 3.4 million people in 1841 to 10.10 million people in 2003. Per 1000 inhabitants, the birth rate was approx. 11.45, and mortality 10.21. Natural population growth was partly offset by emigration. Throughout the 20th century the largest number of emigrants went to America. However, in the 1960s, many Portuguese left in search of work in France, Germany and other countries. Western Europe. From 1960 to 1972 almost 1.5 million Portuguese emigrated. In the late 1970s, emigration declined sharply, and after the Portuguese colonies in Africa gained independence, several hundred thousand Portuguese returned to their homeland.
Cities.
The largest and most important city in Portugal is Lisbon (2.1 million inhabitants with suburbs, 1996). It is the capital and main port of the country, an industrial center, a junction of roads and railways, as well as air traffic. The growth of the suburbs was so rapid that by the 1990s, almost 2.3 million people lived in the Lisbon metropolitan area, i.e. nearly a quarter of the country's population. Petrochemical plants, shipyards and enterprises of many other industries form a powerful industrial complex, covering suburbs such as Amadora (140 thousand people in 1991), Barreiro (59.5 thousand) and Almada (22.6 thousand). Porto - main city The north is the second most populous in the country (302.5 thousand in 1991; in the entire agglomeration, about 1.2 million people). Porto, located on the right bank of the Douro river, former capital Portugal and major port country, famous for its port wine. On the opposite bank of the Douro River is the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (31.5 thousand inhabitants in 1991), where many warehouses of wine companies are concentrated. To the north of Porto is its suburb, Matosinhos (29.8 thousand), the center of fishing and canning sardines.
The main city of central Portugal, Coimbra (118.9 thousand), is known for its university, founded in 1290. It is also a trade and transport center. Braga (102.7 thousand) - the residence of the Roman Catholic primate of Portugal, there are small factories and handicraft workshops. Setubal (85.3 thousand) is the center of the fish processing industry, fruit processing and car assembly.
Language.
Portugal is a monolingual country. The official language is Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken approx. 184 million people on three continents. This language has similarities with Spanish, both of them are derived from Latin. However, Portuguese differs significantly from Spanish in terms of pronunciation and grammar. The vocabulary of the Portuguese language was enriched by Arabic and German words, as well as a dictionary of the languages of the Asian peoples, with whom the Portuguese explorers and traders came into contact. The most significant work of medieval Portuguese literature is the epic poem Lusiada (1572), written by Luis de Camões. It tells of the Portuguese geographical discoveries and glorifies Portugal and its people.
Religion.
Portugal in its history and traditions is a Roman Catholic country; almost 94% of its inhabitants profess Catholicism. However, the church is separated from the state and does not receive direct financial support from it. Less than 1% of the inhabitants are Protestants. There are Jewish communities in Lisbon and Porto (200 thousand people). About 5% of the country's inhabitants recognize themselves as atheists.
GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
From 1926 to 1974 in Portugal there was a conservative dictatorial regime of the so-called. "new state". In fact, the country was ruled for 36 years by António de Oliveira Salazar, who served as prime minister. He banned all political organizations except the National Union he founded, and sought to control the entire population through a network of youth organizations, veterans' associations, and other institutions officially supported by the state. Salazar made extensive use of propaganda and censorship, and suppressed dissent with the help of the secret police.
During the dictatorship of Salazar and the six-year rule of his successor, Marcel Caetano, the ever-increasing costs of maintaining power in the recalcitrant African colonies led to the impoverishment of most workers and peasants in Portugal itself. At the same time, the profits from the colonies went to a small trading, industrial and landowning oligarchy. By many measures, Portugal was the poorest country in Western Europe. On April 25, 1974, a group of young officers who made up the Movement of the Armed Forces (ICE) and opposed the endless wars in Africa and the repressive policies at home, overthrew the Cayetana regime and formed an interim government. The officers demanded negotiations with representatives of the liberation movements, an end to the existence of the police state and censorship, the formation of political parties, and the holding of elections to the Constituent Assembly within a year after the transition to civilian government.
The initial two-year transition period was accompanied by political instability. During this time, six interim governments were replaced, attempts were made to carry out two coups d'état (one was inspired by the right forces, the other by the left); The country was engulfed in strikes and demonstrations. Nevertheless, on the first anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the Portuguese elected a Constituent Assembly, which drafted a constitution that came into force on April 2, 1976.
State device.
In contrast to Salazar's corporate regime, the state system provided for by the 1976 constitution was based on democratic principles with elements of socialism.
The legislature is a unicameral parliament (Assembly of the Republic), consisting of 250 deputies, elected in general elections for a four-year term. The Assembly adopts laws and approves the budget. Executive power is divided between the president and the government headed by the prime minister. The president is elected in a general election for a term of five years and cannot be re-elected for a third term. The president's powers include the appointment and removal of the prime minister and other ministers, and he can veto bills passed by parliament. The government determines the policy of the country, forms the budget and exercises control over public administration.
From 1976 to 1982, there was a State Council under the President, which was subsequently replaced by three new bodies: the Constitutional Court, the Advisory State Council, headed by the President and staffed by political and public figures, and the Supreme Council of National Defense.
In 1989, a series of amendments to the 1976 constitution were adopted: the goal was to build a "free and just society that cares for others," instead of the previous wording - "building a classless society." A clause was introduced to allow the sale of previously nationalized companies and a new course of agricultural reform was set. Some articles of the constitution were revised in 1992.
Portugal has a centralized system of government. The continental part of the country is subdivided into 18 administrative districts. Smaller administrative units are municipalities and parishes.
Local government.
The representative organizations of the parish are the assembly and the junta of the parish. The Assembly is elected by all the citizens of the parish. The junta is the executive body of the parish and is elected by secret ballot of the assemblies from among its members. The chairman of the junta is the citizen who leads the list of candidates and who has received the largest number votes in assembly elections.
Municipalities are governed by municipal assemblies and chambers. The municipal assemblies consist of the presidents of the juntas (executive bodies) of the parishes and at least the same number of elected deputies. The Municipal Chamber is the executive branch of government and is chaired by the candidate of the leading party that receives the most votes. Municipalities can create associations and federations to solve economic, social, cultural and other issues.
The representative bodies of the administrative districts are the assembly and the junta of the district. The Assembly consists of members elected by direct universal suffrage and members chosen by an electoral college composed of members of the municipal assemblies. The executive collegial body, the junta, is elected by secret ballot by the district assembly from among its members. The county junta has a government representative.
The Azores and Madeira enjoy self-government and have the status of autonomous regions. They are also divided into municipalities and parishes. Regional assemblies are elected in direct general and secret elections in accordance with the principle of proportional representation.
Political parties.
With the establishment of the dictatorship of Salazar in the early 1930s and until the April Revolution of 1974, political parties were banned. Nevertheless, the communist and socialist parties, as well as small political groups of the left, operated underground. After 1974, a number of new parties emerged. The largest of them - the People's Democratic (later renamed the Social Democratic, SDP) and the Social Democratic Center (SDC) - were formed by politicians who played an active role under the previous regime. Most major parties have received significant financial assistance from foreign political partners.
During the first few months after the revolution, approx. 80 political groups. By the time the first ballots were distributed, the political spectrum had narrowed to 12 parties. In the elections, the following parties received the largest number of votes: Socialist (SP, 35%), PSD (24%), SDC (16%) and Portuguese Communist (PCP, 14%).
The more conservative North of Portugal favored the SDP or NP, while the SP and PKP had support in the south. In recent years, the PKP's influence has waned, its electorate formerly consisting of industrial workers in the Lisbon region and poor agricultural workers in the South (Alentejo). About a million returnees from Angola and Mozambique are hostile to the left-wing politicians who granted independence to these African colonies.
Political instability shook Portugal in the first decade after the revolution. From 1974 to 1976, six provisional governments were replaced. General António Ramalho Eanis, a moderate member of the Armed Forces Movement (EMF), provided some social stability during his presidency from 1976-1986. Mario Soares was the prime minister during the same years. He led the first SP minority government and then led an unstable government coalition. In 1979 the president was forced to hold by-elections.
From 1979 to 1983, most parties grouped into three coalitions, which were center right, center left, and extreme left; while the SDP dominated. This situation changed in 1983, when a centrist coalition came to power, led by the Socialists, who received the majority of votes, and the Social Democrats. This coalition government collapsed in 1985, after the weakening of the position of the SDP.
Although the Socialist candidate Soares was elected president in 1986 (the first civilian head of state in 60 years) with the support of the revolutionary democratic party DVS Eanis and the Communist-led United People's Union, the Social Democrats continued to lead the parliament in the mid-1980s. In 1987, after the abolition of censorship and the holding of new elections, the SDP won the majority of seats in parliament for the first time in 13 years. The socialists won the 1989 municipal elections, and Soarish was elected president in the January 13, 1991 elections, receiving 70.4% of the vote. Nevertheless, the SDP again received an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections on October 6, 1991.
In 1995, the Socialists managed to win the presidential election and get the majority of seats in parliament. The government was headed by the leader of the joint venture, António Guteres. In January 1996, Jorge Sampaio, the former socialist mayor of Lisbon, won the presidential election. The Socialists also won the 1997 municipal elections.
The 2002 elections led to a new change of power in the country. Having suffered a defeat, the socialists were forced to go into opposition. The new government was led by PSD leader José Manuel Duran Barroso.
Currently, there are parties and organizations in Portugal that represent the entire spectrum of political and ideological forces.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) after the elections in March 2002 became the largest in the country, winning 102 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. The SDP was created in May 1974 under the name of the People's Democratic Party. The program adopted at that time was of a centrist nature. The main goal of the NDP was proclaimed to be the building of a "society of equal opportunities" and a pluralistic democracy; anyone who spoke in support of the "basic values of democratic and humane socialism" could become a member of the party. In October 1976, the NDP was renamed the SDP.
Over time, the SDP abandoned its "social democratic" image. Under the leadership of its general secretary, Francisco sa Carneiro, the party has increasingly shifted to the right and is now in positions similar to European liberal parties. She advocates the predominant development of private initiative.
After the adoption of a democratic constitution in 1976, the SDP led the right-wing opposition to the socialist government. In 1979, under the leadership of the Social Democratic Party, a center-right bloc arose - the Democratic Alliance, in which the Social Democratic Center (SDC), the People's Monarchist Party, and others also took part. Having won the elections in December 1979, the alliance formed a government headed by the leader of the PSD, Sa Carneiro who died in a plane crash in December 1980. According to a later parliamentary inquiry, the cause of the accident was terrorist act. Until December 1982, the country was ruled by a cabinet headed by the new leader of the PSD, Francisco Pinto Balcemão. He was replaced at first by a coalition of the SP and the SDP, and from November 1985 by the one-party government of the head of the SDP, Anibal Cavaco Silva, who held out in power until October 1995, again giving way to the socialists. In 2002, the SDP returned to power in a coalition with the People's Party (former SDC). She received 40.1% of the vote and 105 out of 230 seats in the Assembly of the Republic.
The People's Party (until the end of the 1990s it was called the Social Democratic Center) was founded in July 1974 as an organization of a Christian democratic orientation. According to its first program (1975), the SDC was "a center party advocating a rotation of parties in government." In his activities, he intended to be guided by an "exclusively Christian spirit", the desire to ensure the "freedom and security of Portuguese citizens." In the economic field, the party advocated the priority development of a "planned private initiative" "supported and controlled by the state." The SDC was considered the most right-wing of the major parties in the country, which did not prevent it from entering into a coalition with the socialists in 1978. This government did not last long, and the SDC, led by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, became the PSD's junior partner in the Democratic Alliance and participated in center-right cabinets from 1980-1985. In 2002, the party, transformed in the 1990s into the People's Party, campaigned under the slogan of "firm hand" and called for decisive action to limit immigration. Having received 8.8% of the vote and 14 seats in the Assembly of the Republic, the People's Party entered the coalition government led by the PSD.
The Socialist Party was formed in May 1973 in exile. The founding congress of the party was held in the FRG with the support and assistance of the German Social Democracy. The SP continued the tradition of the Portuguese Socialist Action that existed since 1964. In its first program, the party proclaimed its goal to be "the building of socialism" in conditions of "political and ideological pluralism". The SP of Portugal is part of the Socialist International.
Various internal currents acted in the joint venture from the very beginning. The founder and first leader of the party, Mario Soares, belonged to the "right" wing. Having won the first parliamentary elections in accordance with a democratic constitution in 1976, the socialists formed a government headed by Soarish, which, first as a minority cabinet, and then in coalition with the SDC, lasted until July 1978. In December 1979, the SP went into opposition and remained there until December 1982. In 1983-1985 Soares led a coalition government of representatives of his own party and the PSD. In the 1985 elections, the SP came out with demands for strengthening relations with the European Community, an early revision of the 1976 constitution (including the elimination of provisions on the nationalization of key sectors of the economy, as well as a review of agrarian reform and parliamentary powers), but suffered a heavy defeat. After that, she again found herself in opposition. In 1995, having won the parliamentary elections, the SP returned to the government of the country (the government of António Guterres), which lasted until 2002, when it won only 37.9% of the vote and lost to the PSD. It currently has 96 seats in parliament.
The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) was founded at a founding conference in March 1921. From 1926-1974 it operated illegally. Unlike other major communist parties in Western Europe, the PKP has never leaned towards "Eurocommunism". Under the leadership of her long-term general secretary, Alvaro Cunhal, she sought to maintain close ties with the CPSU. During the revolution of 1974-1975, the Portuguese communists tried several times to achieve a predominant influence in society, but they did not succeed. Since 1976, the PKP has focused primarily on defending the revolutionary provisions of the 1976 constitution, the nationalization of a number of sectors of the economy, and agrarian reform. Under the leadership of the party, the Union for the Unity of the People bloc was created, which also included the Greens and a small left-wing organization, the Portuguese Democratic Movement. In 1987, the union was transformed into the Coalition for Democratic Unity (with the participation of the Communists, the Greens and the Association for Democratic Action). However, the influence of the communists gradually fell: if in the 1980s they collected, together with the allies, from 12 to 19% of the votes, then in the 1990s their support fell to 9%. In the 2002 elections, the PKP and Green bloc suffered a major defeat: it won only 7% of the vote, losing 5 out of 17 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. The coalition lost the status of the country's third political force (yielding to the NP). After Kunyal's resignation in 1992, internal divisions began to intensify within the PKP. By 2002, some 500 prominent members, including most of the PKP deputies, demanded that an emergency congress be called and join the bloc with the socialists. But leadership remains in the hands of hardliners.
The Left Bloc (LB) is a coalition of a number of radical left organizations. The bloc emerged on the eve of the 1999 general elections in an attempt to reorganize the fragmented camp of the Portuguese ultra-left, popular in the 1970s but then lost influence. The LB included the Trotskyist Revolutionary Socialist Party (Chairman Francisco Lousa), the former Maoist People's Democratic Union (General Secretary Luis Fazenda), the small left-wing group Politika XXI (Chairman Miguel Portas), a splinter group from the PCP, and independent leftists. . In 1999, the LB collected 2.5% of the vote and brought 2 deputies to the Assembly of the Republic, breaking the monopoly of the four main political forces on parliamentary representation for the first time in many years. The block went to the 2002 elections under the slogans of social reforms in the field of education and health care, the fight against drug addiction, the tax system, the administrative sphere, and the right to abortion. The LB managed to get 2.8% of the votes and increase its representation in the Assembly to 3 deputies.
The heirs of the once powerful anarchist movement in Portugal are the Portuguese sections of the Federation of Anarchists of Iberia and the International Workers' Association (anarcho-syndicalist International).
Judicial system.
Under the Salazar regime, freedom of the press and the right to associate, assemble, protest or strike were severely restricted. In the 1976 constitution, these restrictions were lifted. The provision for the inviolability of the person was introduced into both civil and military laws. The criminal law system is organized at the national level under the Ministry of Justice in 217 judicial districts. In a number of cases, the prosecution or the defense has the right to demand a trial by jury.
In Portugal, the courts are independent and subject only to the law. The Constitutional Court exists completely independently. The highest body in the hierarchy of courts is the Supreme Court. In addition, the system of courts includes courts of general jurisdiction of the first and second instances, the Supreme Administrative Court and other administrative and fiscal courts, the Accounts Chamber, military tribunals, maritime courts, arbitration courts.
Military establishment.
The regime of Salazar - Cayetano constantly increased the military power of Portugal. Under Cayetano, almost 2/5 of the total amount of government spending was directed to the armed forces. After the revolution of 1974, in connection with the liquidation of the colonial system, there was no need for a large army. In 1990, 44 thousand people served in the army, 16 thousand people in the navy. The air force consisted of approx. 15 thousand personnel.
Foreign policy.
Portugal has long had particularly close relations with England. This tradition dates back to a trade treaty signed in 1373. In 1386, both countries signed a treaty of mutual cooperation at Windsor, and close economic ties were secured by the Treaty of Methuen in 1703. British support helped Portugal assert its independence after 1640 and retain a large part of its overseas empire . However, this ancient alliance did not affect the Portuguese policy of neutrality in World War II, although the UK and the US were given bases in the Azores. Subsequently, the American air base at Lajes was taken over by NATO, which Portugal joined in 1949.
Due to the Soviet veto in the UN Security Council, Portugal was not admitted to this organization until 1955. From 1960 to 1986, Portugal was a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Portuguese colonies in 1970 occupied an area of over 2 million square meters. km. The largest of these were Angola and Mozambique in Africa. In Asia, Portugal owned the colonies of Macau in southeast China and East Timor in the Malay Archipelago. In 1974-1975 all African colonies became independent.
After the liquidation of the Portuguese colonial system in Africa, relations were restored with the USSR, the countries of Eastern Europe and many countries in Africa and Asia.
Relations with Indonesia escalated after it occupied East Timor in 1975 and facts of ill-treatment of the inhabitants of this former Portuguese colony became known. In 1999, Indonesia, under public pressure, withdrew its troops from East Timor.
In accordance with the 1987 agreement, the administration of the Portuguese colony of Macao (Macao) was to pass to China in December 1999.
In the late 1970s, Portugal's ties with NATO strengthened. January 1, 1986 Portugal joined the European Community (EU). Portugal is part of the union of Portuguese-speaking countries, which also includes Brazil and the former Portuguese colonies - Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde.
ECONOMY
The gross domestic product (GDP) of Portugal in 2002 was 195.2 billion dollars. The national income per capita was 19,400 thousand dollars.
In 2008, GDP amounted to 236.5 billion dollars. By sectors of GDP - agriculture 3.6%, industry 28.7%, other services 67.7%.
Economic history.
Two events influenced the economy of Portugal - the overthrow of the Salazar-Caetano regime in 1974 and accession to the EU in 1986. Under the previous regime (from 1926 to 1974), capital was concentrated in the hands of several industrial and financial family groups. Moving up was only possible for members of the educated middle class. The industry and agriculture of Portugal remained inefficient, and labor productivity was low. Investments were directed mainly to the African colonies. The profits received in the colonies were used to maintain a positive balance of trade and budgetary balances.
The revolutionary government first weakened the economic base of the former elite by granting independence to the African colonies. After the failure of the right-wing putsch in 1975, large landholdings in the southern and central regions were expropriated. Banks were nationalized and Insurance companies, followed by the nationalization of most large and medium-sized industrial enterprises. Most of the new state-owned enterprises faced extremely difficult organizational and financial problems. As a result, the overall state budget deficit and external public debt increased. Foreign investment in Portugal was withdrawn from the process of nationalization, subsidiaries of foreign corporations became important in the country's economy.
As a member of the EU, Portugal had to adopt a common EU customs tariff on imports from non-member countries and pursue a common agricultural policy. Portugal also promised to remove all barriers to the movement of both goods and capital between it and other EU members, as well as remove tax subsidies from state-owned enterprises. Membership in the EU became the driving force that stimulated changes in the country's economy in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The tax structure in Portugal has been revised.
Economical geography.
Industry is concentrated in two areas, around Lisbon and Setúbal in the south and around Porto, Aveiro and Braga in the north. The Lisbon area is dominated by heavy industry, producing steel, petroleum products, machine tools, automobiles, chemicals and cement. Lishnavi shipbuilding docks are known all over the world. The Lisbon district also manufactures electronic equipment. Porto has the country's largest oil refinery, but northern cities specialize in goods such as fabrics, shoes, furniture, wines and food. The old center of the cotton industry is located in the northwest (Porto, Guimarães and Braga), the main centers of the woolen industry are in the mountainous region around the cities of Guarda and Covilhã. Many industrial enterprises of the chemical, pulp and paper, cement and food industries are concentrated in coastal strip between Porto and Lisbon. Both mentioned cities are centers of metallurgy and mechanical engineering.
Portugal is divided by the Tagus River into two agricultural regions with different types of land use. The northern region is dominated by small-scale intensive agriculture. Here, in conditions of high population density and the predominance of archaic farming methods, tiny farms are common, producing little more food than is necessary for the consumption of one family. The southern region is dominated by large landholdings, which employ sharecroppers and landless wage laborers. A significant part of the land expropriation program in 1974-1975 was carried out in this area. Many large landholdings that belonged to landowners who lived in cities became the property of cooperatives.
The economy of the Azores and Madeira is based on agriculture. Vineyards, citrus plantations and dairy farms play an important role. The Azores also grow corn, sugar cane, sugar beets, tobacco, wheat, vegetables and tea. Lace and Madeira wine are exported from Madeira.
Energy.
Portugal is highly dependent on imported fuel (accounting for 80% of total energy consumption). Low-grade anthracite is mined near Porto. Portugal's hydropower potential is well developed, and hydroelectric power plants provide half of the electricity consumed in the country.
Mineral resources and mining industry.
The mineral resources of Portugal are very diverse, but small deposits predominate. The largest mines are located in the north of the country; tungsten, tin, chromium and other non-ferrous metals, as well as uranium are mined in significant volumes. Iron ore deposits are being developed in the eastern part of the Douro valley.
Manufacturing industry gives ok. 40% of GDP, it accounts for 32.6% of all employed. Traditional industries - textile, clothing, footwear, ceramics, shipbuilding. They are characterized by low labor productivity and outdated technologies. New industries - automotive, electronic, electrical, chemical. The level of labor productivity in the Portuguese industry is lower than in other EU countries.
Agriculture and forestry provide only 6.5% of Portugal's GDP, and account for 11.5% of employment. Gross agricultural output per worker is significantly lower than in other EU countries; the exceptions are the fertile valley of the Tagus River and the irrigated areas of the province of Alentejo. To meet its food needs, Portugal is forced to import many agricultural products, especially grains, sunflower seeds and meat.
The main cereal crop in Portugal is wheat, followed by corn. Wheat is grown mainly in the south of the country, corn - in the north. In addition, legumes, oats, rye, barley and rice are of commercial importance. The potato is an important food crop. Portugal is one of the main exporters of ketchup. Olives are used in large quantities for food, but mainly serve as a raw material for the production of olive oil.
Viticulture and winemaking play a huge role in agriculture. Portugal is one of the leading Western European wine exporting countries. The most important areas of viticulture are the valleys of the northern rivers Douro, Mondego and Lima. Vineyards are also located in the Algarve and on the Setúbal Peninsula, directly south of Lisbon. Portuguese dessert wines, especially port and muscat, as well as rosé table wines, are world famous.
Sheep, pigs, cattle and goats are the most numerous domestic animals that are raised in Portugal. Cattle breeding is most developed in Ribatejo; dairy farming - in the north. Demand for meat and meat products is 90% satisfied by local products.
Forestry plays a significant role in the Portuguese economy. Commercially valuable species are pine and cork oak. Portugal annually produces more raw cork oak than the rest of the world. Eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are the main source of raw materials for pulp production.
Fishing.
In Portugal, with its long coastline and long seafaring tradition, fishing is an important economic activity, but in the early 1990s, incomes and jobs in this industry declined. The catch is dominated by sardines. The main fishing ports and fish processing centers are Lisbon, Setúbal, Matosinhos and Portimão.
Transport.
The length of the railway network is 3.7 thousand km, automobile - 42 thousand km. According to Western European standards transport network underdeveloped. Extensive investment in roads and railways has come from EU subsidies and loans. Lisbon and Porto have modern port facilities. International airports operate in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the Azores and Madeira.
Foreign trade and payments.
After the revolution of 1974, Portugal's trade balance had a cyclic structure: years with a positive balance alternated with years with a deficit. Trade deficits were usually made up by tourism revenues and remittances from Portuguese emigrant workers. In 1995, foreign tourism revenues amounted to 4.8% of GDP. The main types of export goods are textiles, clothing, footwear, timber (including cork), ships, electrical equipment, and chemical products. They mainly import energy carriers, raw materials for a number of industries and foodstuffs. The main trading partners of Portugal are the EU countries (Germany, France and Great Britain).
Portugal remits significant interest and dividend payments annually in line with international debt and growth in foreign direct investment. Portugal's external debt in 1997 was 63.2% of GDP.
Integration with the EU.
Participation in the EU (since 1986) required the abolition of protectionist policies. In 1991, Portugal remained the poorest of the EU countries, but membership in this organization allowed new capital to be injected into the country's economy. The amount of foreign direct investment has doubled annually since 1986.
Financial and banking systems.
The Bank of Portugal, as a central bank, participates in the implementation of monetary and financial policy and has the exclusive right to issue money. Until 2002, the monetary unit of Portugal was the escudo. Since January 1, 2002, the currency of Portugal has been the Euro (EURO). Although a number of Portuguese banks were sold to private investors in the early 1990s, over 80% of all monetary transactions were carried out by state-owned banks. The tax system is based on the value added tax (introduced in 1986) and the new income tax (introduced in 1989). The state budget deficit in 1997 was 2.9% of GDP.
SOCIETY
Lifestyle.
The population of Portugal is quite homogeneous in terms of ethnic, confessional and linguistic composition. Regional differences were mainly determined by economic factors. Wealthy families, middle-class professionals and industrial workers were concentrated in the main industrial centers- Lisbon and Porto. In coastal areas, the population was mainly engaged in fishing and fish processing. The hinterland was dominated by agriculture, although there was a significant regional specification.
To the north of the Tejo River, small landholdings dominated - the so-called. minifundia. Family farms were often fragmented as a result of inheritance of property: each plot of land was divided among several heirs. Most of the Portuguese emigrant workers came from the northern regions. The population of this region was distinguished by conservatism in the field of religion, social views and politics. Southern Portugal was dominated by latifundia, mostly owned by landowners. In 1974-1975 peasants expropriated many land holdings, especially in Alentejo, where cooperative peasant farms were organized.
Religion.
Although nearly 94% of Portuguese are Catholic, church attendance has declined, especially in the cities and south of the country. Catholicism in Portugal has always been associated with local traditions, the population worshiped many popular local saints. Solemnly, like church holidays, the memorable days of these saints are celebrated. Even long-dead famous doctors and healers are revered as saints. The village of Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917, has become a popular place of pilgrimage. The church of Nossa Señora do Remedios near Lamego, built in the Baroque style, is also a shrine.
Labor movement and trade unions.
During the years of the dictatorship, the government regulated relations between workers and entrepreneurs. Strikes were prohibited. Collective agreements were established in 1974, mainly with the leadership of the united trade unions. The trade union federation Intersyndical, which was led by the PKP, quickly became the largest trade union organization in the country, the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers - National Intersyndicate (GTU-NI). She enjoyed influence among industrial workers. Another trade union federation - the General Union of Workers (GTU), associated with the SP and the SDP, is even more authoritative. In 1990, an agreement was reached between the government, employers, and union leaders to increase the minimum monthly wage for agricultural and industrial workers by 15%, to the equivalent of approximately $275.
CULTURE
Education.
In 1990, the illiterate rate in Portugal was almost 20%, the highest in Western Europe. The government allocated significant funds for education, and as a result the number of illiterates has decreased by one-third since 1974. In Portugal, primary education is universal, compulsory and free. However, the country lacks teachers, teaching aids, school equipment, classrooms are overburdened, and curricula are outdated. Considerable difficulties arise as a result of the deterioration in the quality of life in cities, the spread of drugs, and the influx of students from former colonies.
When entering universities and other higher educational institutions, the state guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens. There are 16 universities in Portugal, among them the largest in Porto (founded in 1911), Lisbon (1930) and Coimbra (1307); there is also a large technical university in Lisbon (1930).
Literature.
Portugal has a rich literary tradition, especially in poetry. Among the Portuguese poets, the best known are Luis de Camões (1524-1580), author of the epic poem Lusiada (1572), and Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935), author of the poetry collections Anthony and 35 Sonnets (1918), English Poems (1921), Interregnum ( 1928), etc.
During the years of the dictatorship, literature was under strict control. The leaders of the revolution in 1974 announced the abolition of censorship. Shortly thereafter, Maria Velho di Costa, Maria Teresa Horta and Maria Isabel Barreno accused of violating public morals were acquitted. These "three Marys", as they were called, wrote the feminist erotic novel New Portuguese Letters (1972), which became a great success in the country.
Of the modern Portuguese writers who have won worldwide recognition, José Saramago (b.1922), author of the novels Monument to the Convention (1982) and The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis (1984) and António Lubo Antunis, author of the novels South of Nothing (1979) and Fado Alexandrino (1990).
Museums.
The National Museum of Ancient Art (founded in 1884) in Lisbon exhibits Portuguese art from the 12th to the 19th centuries. The capital also houses the Museum of K. Gulbenkian (1969) and the Center for Contemporary Art associated with it (1979). National Museum carriages (1905) has a collection of royal carriages, some of them over 300 years old. There are also other famous museums in Lisbon: ancient art, archeology, ethnology, theatrical, naval. The historic district of Belem with the famous Bethlehem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery (Jeronimos) is a masterpiece of the Manueline architectural style (Gothic of the 15th-16th centuries), declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Among the monuments of church architecture stand out Cathedral, churches of St. Vicente di Fora, Conceição Velha (Manueline style), St. Roque and the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art. In the vicinity of Lisbon, the Baroque architectural complex of Mafra with the royal palace of the 18th century, the summer royal residence of Queluz of the 18th century deserve special attention. and the National Palace in Sintra. The largest monument of ancient Roman architecture in Portugal - the ruins of Conimbriga - is located 16 km south of the university city of Coimbra.
Mass media, sports, folk culture.
Thanks to the media, in particular radio and television, it was possible to overcome the isolation of Portugal. Several radio companies are owned by the state, and there are also more than 280 private radio stations. There are two state television channels and private television broadcasters have been operating since 1990. Brazilian soap operas are very popular. Despite high levels of illiteracy, in the early 1990s, approx. 30 daily newspapers, the leading ones being Publica, Diario de noticias and Journal de noticias. The privatization of the print media, which ended in 1991, promoted diversity in the media.
Football remains the most popular sport in Portugal. Radio and television coverage has increased the popularity of athletics, cycling and other sports.
Bullfights are popular, especially in Ribatejo, where bulls are bred. In Portugal, riders on horseback take part in these competitions, aiming spears at the bull's neck and, protecting the horse, dodge the horns. Bulls are not killed in the arena, but are pacified by special wrestlers - furkadush.
Fado, folk songs still popular in the big cities, are famous for their Saudadi melodies. Fado originated in the poorest quarters of Lisbon; they are performed by male or female fadis, accompanied by two guitarists.
STORY
Ancient period.
Although numerous traces of human activity of the Paleolithic era have been found on the territory of present-day Portugal, the cultures of the western and southwestern parts of the Iberian Peninsula began to form only in the last 10 thousand years. Primitive people who ate mammals, fish and edible shellfish settled in the 8th millennium BC. in the valleys of the Tagus and other rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The Neolithic civilization arose in the 3rd millennium BC, when polished stone tools and pottery, as well as agriculture and metalworking, came here, apparently from Andalusia and other areas of the Mediterranean.
After 1000 BC Indo-European peoples, mostly Celts, crossed the Pyrenees in several successive waves and mingled with the local tribes. In the south, the Phoenicians and Greeks began to trade with the peoples of Andalusia and Portugal. The Phoenicians were forced out by the Carthaginians, who closed the Strait of Gibraltar to their rivals. Subsequently, the inhabitants of Portugal were influenced by the Andalusians, Carthaginians and Celts, possibly coming from Brittany and Britain. Hamilcar and Hannibal captured the southern part of Portugal and annexed it to the Carthaginian Empire that existed in the Iberian Peninsula in 240-220 BC.
Roman period.
At this time, Lusitanian tribes of Celtic origin, engaged in cattle breeding, dominated the central part of Portugal. Their leader Viriatus for a long time offered stubborn resistance to the Romans. After his treacherous assassination in 139 AD. resistance was crushed, the Roman army passed through central part Portugal and entered the current Galicia, in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans pushed part of the Lusitanians to the lowlands south of the Tagus River and founded the city of Emerita (Merida) on the Guadiana River in what is now Spain. It became the capital of the large province of Lusitania. Julius Caesar gave the city the name Pax Iulia (now Beja) and supported the cities of Olisippo (now Lisbon) and Ebora (Evora); Olisippo was the residence of the Roman governor. The Romans built roads, their customs took root in the country, and the local languages disappeared. The remote area north of the Douro River was the separate province of Gallaecia, which included present-day Galicia in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. The main city of southern Gallaecia (now northern Portugal) was Bracara (now Braga). Under the emperor Vespasian (68-79 AD), the main cities received Latin rights, and in 212 AD. under the edict of Caracalla, their inhabitants became full Roman citizens. Christianity appears to have entered Portugal in the 2nd century. In the 3rd century Christian communities existed in the cities of Osonobe, Merida and Evora.
In the 5th c. The Roman Empire was conquered by barbarians who crossed Gaul, invaded Spain, and from there headed west. Two tribes - the Suebi and the Vandals - seized lands in Gallaecia and Lusitania. They fought among themselves and raided neighboring territories. In 415 AD the Romans used the larger Visigoth tribe to restore order and drove the Vandals into Africa. The Suevi remained and made Braga their capital, while the Visigoths occupied the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and eventually overthrew the Romans in 468. In 585, the Visigoths subjugated the Suebi, giving them, however, local autonomy. Some traces of the Suebi language have survived in the Portuguese language, and some agricultural techniques that have survived to this day are attributed to this tribe.
Muslim period.
In 711, the Muslims, who by that time had already conquered North Africa, invaded the Iberian Peninsula and conquered the state of the Visigoths. They made Córdoba in Andalusia their capital, and Arabs from Yemen settled in southern Portugal. The caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba, who ruled from 756 to 1031, appointed military governors in cities along the northern border of the state and stationed their garrisons there; southern cities were ruled by local clans. Mozarabs - Christians who recognized the caliph and received the right to adhere to their faith - retained their religious communities.
There were few Muslim settlers in the north. The Christians, who maintained their independence in Asturias, were protected by the mountain ranges that bordered north coast the Iberian Peninsula, and formed an independent state headed by a Visigothic ruler. They soon retook Galicia in the northwest, massacring many of the inhabitants in the border regions and leaving behind a devastated territory. In the 9th century Christians moved to southern Galicia, and the border region of Portucale (Portugal), located between the Minho and Douro rivers, protected against Muslim raids from the south, and the line of defense ran along the Douro river. The ruler of the Cordoba Caliphate Mansur (Almansor) in 997 plundered these areas. After his death, the Caliphate of Cordoba fell into a state of anarchy and small Muslim states were formed in its place, which were more and more attacked by Christians.
Founding of the Portuguese Kingdom.
During the Asturian Monarchy, the Counts of Portugal had wide powers. The situation changed after the Christian north came under the rule of the rulers of Navarre and Castile. The first king of Castile Ferdinand I in 1064 conquered Coimbra from the Muslims and made it a separate principality. His son Alfonso VI imposed tribute on the Muslim cities of Santarém and Lisbon, but their rulers turned for help to the Almoravides, who owned North Africa, who in 1086 defeated the troops of Alfonso. The latter turned to the French knights for help, who were well aware of the skirmishes with Muslims beyond the Pyrenees from pilgrims who visited the tomb of the Apostle St. James from Compostela in Galicia, one of the main shrines of the Christian world. The knights began a holy war with the Muslims. Following the knights, the French clergy appeared, who wanted to carry out religious reforms. Under their influence, religious rituals common to Western Europe were adopted in the Iberian Peninsula, and the spirit of tolerance that Alphonse VI showed towards his Muslim subjects was eradicated. Among the knights was Count Enrique of Burgundy, who married Teresa, daughter of Alphonse VI. Enrique and Teresa were given Portugal, including Coimbra and the borderlands. From this time begins the history of Portugal.
After the death of Count Enrique in 1112, Teresa failed to defend the independence of the country. In 1128 the barons took the side of her younger son Alphonse I Enriques and defeated his mother's troops at San Mamedi. Alphonse chose Coimbra as his residence. In 1139 he defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Oriki and assumed the title of king. In 1147, Alphonse captured Santarém, and then, after a long siege, in which he was aided by crusaders from England, Flanders, and Germany, took Lisbon. Alphonse I received the support of Archbishop John the Strange of Braga and in 1179 was recognized by the pope as king, and his kingdom was taken under the protection of the papal throne. As the founder of the monarchy, and in fact the country, Alphonse I the Conqueror (Enriques) is considered a national hero of Portugal.
Portugal now consisted of the northern part, between the rivers Minho and Douro, where the nobles exercised feudal power; the northeastern part, or Traz-os-Montes, sparsely populated by border tribes who preserved communal traditions; the counties of Coimbra, where Mosarabs and Muslims lived at the same time, and the recently conquered border region along the Tagus River, which was defended by detachments of crusader knights who had taken a monastic vow. Here were the knights of the Knights Templar, Calatrava and Avis, who owned vast estates and castles. The Cistercian monks from Alcobaza moved closer to the southern border strip and cultivated the land there. In order to encourage the settlement of this strip, the king granted many communities privileges enshrined in charters. The Muslim influence of that time is embodied in tools, textile designs, architecture and some customs.
The strengthening of the Almohad dynasty prevented Alfonso I from conquering Seville. He himself was wounded while trying to capture the cities of Badajoz, and power passed to his son, Sancho I (1185-1211), who amassed great wealth by collecting tribute from Muslims and residents of eastern Portugal. In an effort to assert his absolute power in the north, King Alphonse II (1211-1223) appointed officials to take land from the nobles and clergy. He was the first king of Portugal to seek advice from the Cortes (Royal Council) convened in the first year of his reign. The Cortes consisted of representatives of the privileged classes - the clergy and the nobility. The son of Alfonso II, Sancho II (1223-1248), fell under the influence of a clique of nobles and was deposed. The Pope gave the crown to his younger brother Alphonse III (1248-1279). This king, supported by the citizens of Lisbon, vigorously defended the royal property and encouraged internal and external trade. The growth of the exchange of goods expanded the money turnover, the quitrent in kind was replaced by a cash tax. In Leiria in 1254, for the first time, persons of humble origin were admitted to the meeting of the Cortes. In connection with the capture of the Algarve during the reign of Alfonso III, the southern border of Portugal was moved, taking current position; thus completed the territorial formation of the country.
King Dinis I (1279-1325) was a poet and legislator, he managed to limit the influence of the clergy and nobles. He founded a university in Lisbon, which was subsequently transferred to Coimbra. Dinis encouraged the development of agriculture and planted a royal pine forest in Leiria in order to use it later in shipbuilding. Portuguese merchants traded with France, England and Flanders, and Italian ships often called in Lisbon.
Alphonse IV (1325-1357) participated in the defeat of the last major Muslim invasion in 1340, but avoided involvement in the civil conflict in Spain. However, his heir, Pedro, fell under the influence of the Galician Ines de Castro and her brothers, and Alphonse facilitated her assassination. The drama of Inés became a favorite subject of Portuguese literature, as well as Western European opera, poems and novels. Having inherited the throne, Pedro I (1357-1367) began to travel around the country and administer justice. Pedro I, like his father, did not interfere in the affairs of Spain, but his son Ferdinand I (1367-1383) led the Spanish legitimists who opposed the dictator Henry II. Henry attacked Portugal and forced Ferdinand to accept humiliating peace terms. Henry's son married the daughter of Ferdinand and after the death of the latter began to claim the Portuguese throne. The townspeople and merchants of Lisbon rejected the claims of the foreign king and declared the illegitimate son of Pedro I, João of Avis, the heir to the throne. The Cortes, who gathered in Coimbra in 1385, proclaimed him king. The Castilians attacked Portugal, but João I (1385-1433) won the battle of Aljubarrota (August 14, 1385) and defended the independence of Portugal. To commemorate this victory, a large church was erected in Batalha. Since that time, the era of royal absolutism began, marked by the emergence of a new noble class and the strengthening of the bourgeoisie.
João I renewed the alliance with England pledged by Ferdinand and married Philip of Lancashire, daughter of John of Gaunt. The customs of the Plantagenet dynasty took root in the Portuguese royal court, and the union of both countries was confirmed by subsequent monarchs. At this time, the philosophical treatises of Juan Duarte and the historical writings of Fernand Lopes were written.
The era of geographical discoveries.
For a long time, the main goal of Portugal's policy was to conduct crusades against Muslims in Africa. At the same time, the strengthening of the monarchy and the confirmation of the independence of the country awakened the national spirit of the Portuguese. In 1415, Juan I captured Ceuta, located opposite Gibraltar; this victory was seen as the starting point for expansion in Africa. Juan's son, Prince Henry the Navigator, became famous as the organizer of sea expeditions to the northwestern shores of Africa. In the city of Sagrish in the extreme south of the country, he founded the famous school of navigators, where the captains of the Portuguese caravels were trained, who later became famous for their geographical discoveries in Africa and Asia.
Portugal took possession of the Madeira Islands in 1418-1420, and the Azores a few years later. João's heir, King Duarte I (Edward, 1433-1438), supported an expedition against Tangier planned by his brother Prince Henry, but it ended in defeat. After the death of Duarti, his second brother Pedro, a famous traveler, became regent for the young Alfonso V (1438-1481). Pedro was challenged by Alphonse's half-brother, the Count of Barcelos, who killed him in 1449 at Alfarrobeire. The young Alphonse V then fell under the influence of the Barcelos faction, which acquired large estates and power. Meanwhile, Prince Henry (the Navigator) continued to vigorously organize sea expeditions. By the time of his death (1460), the Portuguese had discovered the African coast as far as Sierra Leone.
Alphonse V undertook several expeditions to Morocco, captured Tangier in 1471 and began to lay claim to the Spanish throne. Rebuffed by Ferdinand and Isabella, he unsuccessfully appealed to France for help and was forced to conclude a humiliating peace treaty at Alkasovash. His son, João II (1481-1495), one of the most capable rulers of Portugal, achieved the annulment of this treaty, convicted the Barcelos family of treachery and imposed his power on the nobles. Juan II continued the course to encourage geographical discoveries. In 1482, Fort Mina was built on the Gold Coast, and in the same year Diego Kan reached the mouth of the Congo River. Juan then sent Pedra da Covilha and Alfonso de Paiva by land to get acquainted with India and Ethiopia. None of them returned, and Covilhã's reports of his travels do not appear to have reached Lisbon. In 1488 Bartolomeu Dias rounded the cape Good Hope and discovered that India can be reached by sea. The expedition of Vasco da Gama 1497-1498 ended with the achievement of the desired goal - the sea route to India was opened. Five years earlier, Christopher Columbus had reached the New World and claimed Spain for it. Juan II disputed this claim, and, according to the treaty concluded in Tordesillas in 1494, an agreement was reached between Spain and Portugal on the division of the still unexplored world. Spain was given dominion over all lands to the west of the conditional line, which ran 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands, and Portugal received dominion over all lands located east of this line. The treaty made it possible for Pedro Alvaris Cabral in 1500 to lay claim to Portugal for Brazil.
During the reign of Manuel I (1495-1521), Portugal reaped the fruits of the activities of Prince Henry the Navigator and experienced a golden age. The Portuguese fortified their citadels in Morocco even earlier, settled on the islands of the Atlantic Ocean and created trading centers on the coast. West Africa. They then opened the coast of Brazil, seized strategically important positions in East Africa, discovered Madagascar, and acquired outposts in India. The Portuguese succeeded in blowing up maritime trade Muslims in the Indian Ocean and establish control over the sea routes to the East Indies. Portugal monopolized the lucrative spice trade and in just a few short years became Europe's leading maritime power. Viceroy in India, Francisco de Almeida, established his residence in Cochin in 1505, and his successor, Afonso de Albuquerque, one of the great figures of the Portuguese Empire, moved this residence to Goa, which later became the capital of Portuguese India. Albuquerque in 1511 captured a large trade market in Malacca, sent expeditions to the Moluccas, established links with Bengal, Burma, Siam, Java and Sumatra, and in 1515 established control over the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. His successors established ties with Japan in 1542, and in 1557 acquired Macau's stronghold in China.
During the reign of Manuel I, Portuguese architecture flourished in the opulent "Manueliano" style, with maritime and floral themes and Asian motifs, and students were sent to study in France and Italy. Gil Vicenti, the founder of the Portuguese theatre, invented entertainment for the royal court, while Sa di Miranda and other poets introduced Italian poetic forms. The judicial system was unified; the influence of the Cortes began to weaken, and after the death of João I, they met less and less. Lisbon was one of the richest cities in Europe, and the king kept a luxurious court.
Under João III (1521-1557), the country began to feel a shortage of public funds. The cost of annually equipping a fleet to India and manning military strongholds and bases from Brazil to China, the falling prices of oriental goods, and the provision of numerous privileges saddled the country with debt. Under these conditions, the Portuguese monopoly on trade with the East was challenged by French and then by English merchants. It became necessary to occupy the whole of Brazil, allocating captaincies along the coast, and in 1549 a government was established in Bahia (now Salvador), which quickly became a center for the sugar trade. The profligate wealth of the Portuguese Renaissance and the glories of colonial expansion and enterprise were left behind. They were immortalized in Luis de Camões's heroic epic Lusiada (1572), considered a masterpiece of Portuguese literature. The time has come for a return to economy and discipline. The Inquisition was introduced, and the Jesuits began to influence the royal family and the educational system, taking control of the university in Coimbra and founding a university in Évora.
João III's minor grandson, Sebastian (1557-1578), inherited the throne, and the regency was given first to João's widow, Caterina, and then to his brother, Cardinal Enrique. When Sebastian came of age, he quarreled with both of them. Strongly fascinated by the ideas of knight-errant, he dreamed of a crusade against the Muslims in North Africa. When the deposed prince of Morocco approached him for help, he raised an army, landed in Africa, and faced a stronger army at Alcazarquivir (El Ksar el Kebir). Sebastian, his protégé as Prince and Emperor of Morocco died in battle on August 4, 1578, and many Portuguese soldiers were killed or taken prisoner. Sebastian's successor, Cardinal Enrique, died in 1580. The Council of Governors had to decide on the succession to the throne. The Spanish King Philip II, himself half-Portuguese, began to claim the throne, using bribery and power. His opponents sat for some time in the Azores and asked for help from France and England. The British attack on Lisbon in 1589 led by Francis Drake ended in failure. Nevertheless, faith in the restoration of Portuguese independence was not lost, and no less than four impostors posed as the murdered Sebastian.
Three Philips.
Philip II, recognized in Portugal by King Philip I (1580-1598), promised that Portuguese national institutions would be preserved. He attended the meetings of the Portuguese Cortes, and in all the highest state institutions it was customary to use the native language. However, the unification of the two states deprived Portugal of its own foreign policy, and the enemies of Spain became the enemies of Portugal. Due to the war between Spain and Holland and England, the port of Lisbon had to be closed to Portugal's former trading partners. The Dutch then launched attacks on Portuguese settlements in Brazil, as well as in Africa and Asia.
During the reign of Philip's son, Philip III (1598-1621), Spain made a truce with the Dutch. Dutch and English merchants again frequented Lisbon, trade with Brazil also expanded, but Portuguese autonomy suffered as a result. During the reign of Philip IV (1621-1640), his favorite, the Count-Duke of Olivares, resumed the war with the Dutch, who attacked Bahia in 1624, and in 1630 occupied Pernambuco (Recife) and its neighboring plantations. Meanwhile, the Portuguese possessions in Asia were lost due to the invasion of the Dutch and the British. The Portuguese were now unwilling to deal with Olivares, who was trying to destroy their independent institutions and impose new taxes in order to increase Spanish influence in Portugal and use her resources in the war with France. In 1640, after Catalonia revolted and turned to France for help, a general uprising broke out in Portugal. The Spaniards were expelled almost without bloodshed, and Duke João of Braganza was proclaimed King of Portugal under the name of João IV (1640-1656).
Restoration.
João IV was Sebastian's closest collateral descendant of Portugal and the largest landowner in Portugal, but he had no army and the treasury was empty. Since Spain was at that time embroiled in a war with France and occupied with an uprising in Catalonia, he managed to organize the defense of the country and find allies. The union of Portugal with England was restored in 1642. The French, who were pushing Portugal to restore independence, refused to enter into an official union. The Dutch, despite their hostile attitude towards Spain, continued to occupy Portuguese possessions in Brazil until the Brazilians raised an armed uprising against them. Brazilian governor Salvador Correa de Sa organized an expedition to Africa to expel the Dutch from Angola. The papacy, under the influence of Spain, refused to recognize João IV. In this difficult environment, efforts were made to expand Brazilian trade. After significant concessions to the Dutch, peace was concluded with them. In 1654, an agreement was signed with England, according to which privileges in Lisbon were returned to English merchants, the trading post located there was recognized, and freedom of religion was granted.
After the death of João IV, his eldest son Alphonse VI (1656-1683) was still a minor, and João IV's widow Louise exercised the regency. She fought in vain for a treaty with France, but entered into an alliance with England, according to which Charles II married her daughter Catherine of Braganza, receiving as a dowry not only a large sum of money, but also Tangier and Bombay. In return, he undertook to defend Portugal "as if she were England herself". Charles II sent soldiers to strengthen the protection of the borders of Portugal, and English diplomats in 1668 made sure that Spain recognized the independence of Portugal.
Meanwhile, it turned out that Alphonse VI was not able to govern the country, and Count Castelo Melur did this on his behalf. He organized the marriage of Alphonse to the French princess Marie-Francoise-Isabella of Savoy, who provoked the resignation of Castelo Melura and obtained a divorce due to Alphonse's impotence. Then she married his younger brother Pedro, who in 1667 was approved as regent, and after the death of Alfonso became King Pedro II (1683-1706). Portugal established good relations with England and France in order to disrupt Spain's plans. Now, however, Spain has become less dangerous. Marriage with Marie-Francoise-Isabella was regarded as a success in French politics, but after her death, Pedro II married an Austrian. When it became clear that the Spanish king Charles II would not have an heir, the French king Louis XIV began to make claims against Spain and, after the death of Charles in 1700, placed his grandson, titled Philip V, on the Spanish throne. This caused alarm in other European states, and, when England and the Netherlands supported the claims of the Austrian Archduke Charles, Portugal joined the great alliance formed to drive the Bourbons out of Spain. The Archduke arrived in Portugal, but although the Anglo-Portuguese troops entered Madrid twice, they were unable to either hold this city or inspire the Spaniards to fight the French. In accordance with the Peace of Utrecht in 1713, the Bourbons remained on the Spanish throne, while the Portuguese strengthened their alliance with England and Austria.
18 century.
The period of poverty of the first years of the restoration was left behind. Although at the end of the 17th century. most of the once vast Portuguese colonial empire in the East was lost, and gold deposits were discovered in central Brazil. The Minas Gerais region was swept by a gold rush: prospectors flocked here from other parts of Brazil and from Portugal itself, and the administration of the colony had to be transferred from Bahia to Rio de Janeiro. In 1728, diamonds were discovered in the Minas Gerais region. With such wealth, João V (1706-1750) patronized the arts, established academies and libraries, and organized public works. Architecture received a great impetus for its development. Political treaties with the Grand Alliance ended with the Methuen Treaty of 1703, according to which England preferred Portuguese wines and woolen fabrics. The wars with France opened up a vast market in England for port and other wines, and the influx of jewels from Brazil led to a rapid expansion of English trade in Lisbon. The Cortes, which were regularly convened after the Restoration, now lost their importance, and the king exercised absolute power through his ministers.
After the death of João V, his son José (1750-1777) took little interest in government and appointed Sebastian José de Carvalho (later Marquis of Pombal), a talented administrator and representative of the Portuguese Enlightenment, as minister. His abilities were shown when on November 1, 1755 Lisbon was badly damaged by an earthquake. Thousands of people died, and palaces, churches and houses were destroyed. Carvalho, having received emergency powers, provided housing for the homeless and rebuilt the center of the capital. His power aroused jealousy among hereditary nobles, but he executed the Duke of Aveiro and the Marquis of Tavora, who tried to kill King José. Carvalho also campaigned against the Jesuits, removing them from their posts as royal confessors, and eventually expelled the Jesuit order from Portugal and its colonies. Pombal carried out the reform of the university in Coimbra, established a noble college and tried to spread the system of secular education throughout Portugal. He also tried to support the merchants of the country, established a port wine company, maintained prices and introduced standards for growing grapes. Meanwhile, the influx of gold from Brazil began to dry up, and attempts to revive trade at the expense of other goods through the organization of monopoly companies were unsuccessful.
The fall of Pombal after the death of the king led to a change in political course, although many of his supporters remained in their posts. José's daughter, Maria I (1777-1816), refused to accuse him of abuse of power, but felt remorse, torn between devotion to her father and the complaints of Pombal's victims. Her fears increased after receiving news of the revolution in France, and in 1792 she went mad. Her son, later King João VI, became regent.
Napoleonic Wars.
At the very beginning of the unrest in France, the Portuguese police took measures to suppress revolutionary propaganda. The Spanish Bourbons, who tried to save their French cousins (which they failed), were embroiled in a war with the French Republic and were defeated. The French captured Madrid and sought to destroy the alliance of Portugal with England, as well as to close Portuguese ports to English ships. An ultimatum from France to grant advantages in trade and pay tribute was rejected by Portugal in 1797. In 1801, Napoleon induced Spain to attack Portugal, but both countries came to a peace agreement. The French demanded a change of power in Lisbon, and in 1807 Napoleon, who now dominated Europe, decided to deal with this issue himself and ordered General Andoche Junod to march on Lisbon. When the French were already approaching the city, the Portuguese royal court sailed on ships to Brazil, leaving a regency council in their place. Its chairman, the Duke of Abrantes, recognized the de facto authority of France.
In 1808 Portugal was engulfed in an uprising. General Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, landed with a large English army and forced Junot to leave Portugal under the terms of the truce at Sintra. The Regency Council was restored. When Marshal Nicola Soult marched from Galicia to Porto in 1809, Wellesley stopped him and pushed him back. Another French army advanced along the Tagus river valley, but was defeated at Talavera. In 1810, Marshal André Masena was put in charge of a large French army, which Wellesley held near Busacou until it withdrew to the fortifications at Torres Vedras north of Lisbon. The French were forced to retreat to Santarém, and in March 1811 left Portugal altogether.
Liberalism.
In subsequent years, the Portuguese royal family lived in Brazil, which by this time became part of the united kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. João VI (1816-1826) succeeded to the throne after the death of his mother. In Lisbon, a liberal movement arose against the regency council, organized by the Masonic lodge, which demanded the removal of the English general William Bursford, who commanded the Portuguese army. In the end, the uprising of the garrison on August 24, 1820 in Porto marked the beginning of the Portuguese Revolution. The Regency Council first compromised and then capitulated. The military prevented the return of Bursford, who was in Brazil at the time, and the civilian revolutionaries pressed for a constitution. These events forced João VI to return, agreeing in advance to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. He left his eldest son Pedro to govern Brazil. The Brazilians opposed the departure of the king and, when the Lisbon liberals ignored the constitutional demands of Brazil, in 1822 they proclaimed the country's independence under the leadership of Pedro.
The first Portuguese constitution, which stated that the supreme power belongs to the people, was adopted in 1822 by the founding Cortes. However, she was unable to work, and her absolutist enemies rallied around the wife of João VI, Carlota Joaquina, of Spanish origin, and their youngest son Miguel. In Lisbon, Miguel tried to lead the movement for the restoration of absolutism, but failed and was expelled from the country. Meanwhile, João VI agreed to negotiate with Brazil and in 1825 recognized its independence, retaining the title of emperor.
After his death in 1826, the crowns of Portugal and Brazil passed to Pedro IV, who remained in Brazil. Pedro gave the Portuguese throne to his infant daughter, Maria, on the condition that she marry his brother Miguel, and that Miguel accept the constitution prepared by Pedro in 1826. This constitution, known as the Charter of Government, confirmed the limited power of the monarch. Miguel returned to Portugal in 1828 only to prevent Mary from landing, rejecting the Charter and declaring himself absolute monarch. When he convened the Cortes and rescinded the Charter, the liberals revolted but were defeated. However, in 1831, Pedro quarreled with the Brazilian leaders, abdicated the throne in Brazil in favor of his son, and headed to Europe to restore his daughter to the throne of Portugal. Pedro hired people, raised money in England and France, and set up a residence in the Azores. In 1832 he landed near Porto and entered the city after a three-month siege. He then landed troops in the Algarve and entered Lisbon in 1833. England and France made an alliance with the liberals of Portugal and Spain, and Miguel abdicated at Évora Monti. Pedro died in 1834 shortly after his daughter was recognized as queen by the Cortes.
Maria II (1833-1853) inherited the throne at the age of 15, and a constitutional monarchy was established in the country. Liberals in the cities received support from political clubs and newspapers. The rural population remained devoted to the old system and almost did not take part in public life. The civil war that followed the Napoleonic campaigns and the loss of Brazil left Portugal impoverished and heavily indebted. The liberals proposed to overcome these difficulties by confiscating the property of the church, but the result was the transfer of large estates to wealthy liberals or companies.
In September 1836, a more radical faction, the so-called. Septemberists. She recognized the constitution of 1822 and made attempts to cut government spending. In 1837 the marshals (the Dukes of Saldanha and Terceira) raised an uprising to depose the Septemberists. However, it was defeated, although in subsequent years the Septemberists lost the support of the population. The elections of 1842 showed a clear trend towards chartism - the more conservative doctrine of the champions of the Charter, which provided the king with broad powers and provided for the appointment (rather than elections) of the upper house. The defection of the former radical António Bernardo Costa Cabral to the side of the conservatives led to the restoration of the Charter by the Duke of Terceira. The Chartist government purged the National Guard of political influence, censored the press, and took control of the radical clubs. The local government was reformed, the administrative code was approved. Costa Cabral provoked an opposition movement in the countryside. In 1845 a law was passed forbidding burials in churches. In response to these actions, a peasant uprising led by the innkeeper Maria da Fonti rose in the north of the country, which was brutally suppressed.
Discontent grew in the country, and in 1846 the queen dismissed Costa Cabral. The Septemberists tried to take advantage of the favorable situation and published a manifesto directed against the royal power. Then Maria II postponed the elections and turned to Duke Saldanha with a request to form a government. The Septemberists responded by creating a revolutionary junta in Porto. Both groups were armed, although almost no military action was taken. After negotiations in Gramida, thanks to the intervention of England and Spain, a truce was reached in 1847. This made it possible for Saldanha and Costa Cabral to return to power, but two years later they quarreled, and Costa Cabral fired the duke. In 1851, Saldanha led the coup, and Costa Cabral was forced to emigrate.
Restoration of the monarchy.
Thirty years have passed since the introduction of the first constitutional regime. Although liberalism attracted many prominent figures, including Almeida Garrett, the romantic poet and playwright, and Alexandre Herculana, the founder of Portuguese historical literature, it enjoyed little political influence. There were no stable political parties in the country, and conservatives and radicals had opposing views on the constitution itself. Saldanha was now building a national solidarity movement that championed a conservative revival and prepared a program of economic reform. The radical Septemberists in the past gradually transformed into an opposition party of historians, or Progressives. The charter, as amended in 1852, remained in effect until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1910.
The government consolidated the debts of the first half of the century and made new loans to pay for public works. Railways and telegraph lines were laid in the country, ports were modernized, highways and bridges were built. To please the urban electorate, the Liberals kept prices low, which in turn stifled economic activity in the countryside. Industrialization unfolded slowly. Imports were paid for mainly through the export of port wine and cork tree bark. The only way for the development of the country was the development of Portuguese Africa, but there was not enough capital for this. The abolition of the slave trade in 1836 forced the search for new forms of economic activity; the way out was found in increasing the profitability of enterprises in Angola. When the Scottish traveler David Livingston visited Luanda, the capital of Angola, in 1853, he discovered European-style houses and boulevards there.
Maria's eldest son, Pedro V (1853-1861), a serious and charming man, died at the age of 20. His brother Luis (1861-1889) had little interest in politics. The Revivalist (formerly Chartist) and Progressive parties switched places, the former led by the economist Fontes Pereira de Melo, the latter by the Duke of Terceira and the Bishop of Viseu. The aged Saldanha again came to power in 1870, but soon after France was drawn into the war with Germany, he retired.
The governments of Portugal were formed by the "Renaissances" or by coalition until 1879, until the "Progressives" came to power, establishing 26 peerages to gain a majority in the upper house of parliament. England's claims to Guinea and Mozambique were finally considered by an arbitration commission, consisting of representatives of the United States and France, who decided the issue in favor of Portugal. The Portuguese mastered the region of Central Africa, located between Angola and Mozambique, and in 1886 began to lay claim to the territory stretching from the western coast of Africa to the east. However, in 1890, the expansion of the British South Africa Company (led by Cecil Rhodes) to the north led to a crisis, and England presented an ultimatum forbidding the Portuguese occupation of this intermediate territory. This caused outrage in Portugal and greatly weakened the regime. At the same time, Portugal's financial problems worsened. In this situation, Germany saw the opportunity to get Portuguese Africa and concluded an agreement with England, which noted the claims to these territories in the event of bankruptcy of Portugal. However, when Germany tried to impose loans on Portugal to provoke its bankruptcy, the British government opposed and the Anglo-Portuguese alliance was restored.
Carlos I (1889-1908) did much to increase the international prestige of Portugal. During his reign, there was a revival of national culture. The most important figure of that time was the realist writer Esa di Queiroz (1845-1900). The Republican Party was formed in 1876. The two monarchist parties split and a critical situation arose. In 1906, Carlos I granted dictatorial powers to João Franco, who ruled the country without convening the Cortes. In 1908, Carlos and his eldest son (heir to the throne) were killed in Lisbon by a bomb thrown into the royal carriage. Franco was removed from power. The youngest son of Carlos Manuel II (1908-1910) did not have political experience, and seven governments were replaced in a year and a half. In October 1910, an uprising broke out in the country, the monarchy was overthrown and a republic was established.
Republic.
Republican leaders were teachers, lawyers, doctors, and military officers. At first, only one Republican Party operated in the Republican Cortes, but soon the radicals, or Democrats, came to power.
The formation of the first republic in Portugal was enshrined in the constitution of 1911, which contained a broad list of the rights and freedoms of citizens. Portugal was declared a parliamentary republic headed by a president. The president was elected by the Congress (parliament) for four years. A bicameral parliament was created, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies (a term of office of three years) and the Senate (a term of six years).
In 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, Portugal remained a neutral country. But in February 1916, German ships were requisitioned in Portuguese ports, and Germany declared war on Portugal. Portugal sent an expeditionary force to the Western Front. Meanwhile, more moderate Republicans formed the United and Evolutionist parties, but neither could control the left-wing Democrats. In 1917, Major Sidoniou Pais tried to establish a more conservative regime. He fought for the creation of a stable state by appeasing the warring clerical and monarchist groups. Paish's "presidential" regime ended the following year with his assassination. The war exacerbated financial problems, and inflation soared. Society was constantly disturbed by strikes, political demonstrations and ministerial changes. In 1921, the prime minister and a number of leading politicians were kidnapped and killed. There were several attempts at a coup d'état. Of the eight presidents of the republic, only one served the entire term allotted to him by law. The first parliamentary republic in Portugal was the most restless and unstable in Western Europe. In less than 16 years, 45 governments have changed there.
In May 1926, General Gomes da Costa managed to carry out a military coup, he entered Lisbon, practically without resistance, and the president resigned.
A few weeks later, with the participation of England, Costa was overthrown, a military dictatorship was established, and the leadership of the country passed to General Antonio Oscar di Fragos Carmone. Carmona became interim president, then was elected president in 1928, 1935, 1942 and 1949 and died in this post in 1951. In 1928, Carmona invited Dr. António de Oliveira Salazar, professor of economics at the University of Coimbra, to the government. Salazar requested authority and received it. Salazar's tax reforms ensured an increase in the budget surplus. The public debt was consolidated and reduced, savings were used for economic development, public works, defense and the social sphere. In 1932, Salazar became prime minister and, together with a group of scientists from the University of Coimbra, prepared a draft constitution for 1933, which established an authoritarian regime, called the "new state."
New state.
In accordance with the constitution of 1933, Portugal and its overseas provinces were proclaimed a unitary corporate republic headed by a president who was directly elected for a seven-year term. The Cortes consisted of an elected National Assembly and an advisory body - the Corporate Chamber, organized in accordance with the functional divisions of society: economic, social, intellectual and spiritual. Employers organized themselves into guilds, workers into trade unions. Collective agreements were under government oversight. This system was aimed at suppressing opposition in society, and the political parties were replaced by the National Union.
At the start of World War II, Portugal remained neutral by agreement with Britain. In 1940, when German troops approached the Pyrenees, Salazar helped Britain keep Spain neutral. In 1943 the British used an alliance with Portugal to gain a base in the Azores.
Portugal emerged from the war almost unscathed. Having received loans from Great Britain, it accumulated foreign exchange reserves in pounds sterling, which made it possible to modernize means of communication, expand the merchant fleet and develop irrigated agriculture, hydropower and industry. Portugal joined NATO in 1949.
Serious opposition to Salazar first appeared in the presidential elections of 1958. Admiral America Tomas, supported by the National Union, received a large majority, but General Humberto Delgado, who led the opposition, collected a quarter of all votes. In 1959, in accordance with a constitutional amendment, the right to choose the president was transferred to the electoral college.
The Portuguese territories of Goa, Diu and Daman in Hindustan were occupied by Indian troops in 1961 after Portugal rejected India's claims to these territories. An even more serious threat to the Portuguese overseas possessions arose in the 1960s due to the growth of the national liberation movement in Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea. Portugal sent a significant part of the army and large funds to Africa to fight the rebels.
In September 1968, Salazar handed over power to his assistant Marcel Cajetan, who maintained his main political course. Wars continued in Africa, which sucked up almost 40% of the state budget and hampered economic development. One of the consequences of these wars was the emigration of 1.6 million Portuguese, who went to different countries of the world in search of work.
Revolution.
On April 25, 1974, a group of left-wing officers, part of the Movement of the Armed Forces (ICE), in an effort to end the wars in Africa, overthrew the Cayetana regime. The junta, led by General António de Spinola, called for an end to military operations in Africa and restored many democratic freedoms, including tolerance for political opinions.
On May 15, a provisional government headed by Spinola was formed, the cabinet included socialists and communists. However, Spinola himself opposed the plans of the ICE to destroy the colonial empire and implement radical reforms, and in September he was replaced by General Francisco da Costa Gomes. The colonial system in Africa collapsed by the end of 1975.
In March 1975, after an attempted coup d'état by a group of right-wing officers, a new organ of the ICE, the Supreme Revolutionary Council, with a predominance of pro-communist elements, headed by Prime Minister Vasco Gonçalves, began to implement a new state policy. Gonçalves nationalized most of the banks and many industries and made the communist-led unions the only representatives of the workers' interests.
In April 1975 elections to the Constituent Assembly were held. The Socialists received 38% of the vote, the People's Democrats 26%, and the Communists 12%. After the election, the struggle between socialists, communists and left-wing extremists continued in trade unions, the media and local governments. The communists relied on the support of the landless agricultural workers of the south and received assistance from the USSR; the US and Western European countries helped the socialists. In July, the Socialists withdrew from Goncalves' government after he authorized the transfer of the socialist organ, the República newspaper, into the hands of the left. In August, after a wave of anti-communist demonstrations in the north, Gonçalves was removed from his post. A new cabinet was formed, dominated by socialists and their allies. Repayment of Western loans resumed, which had been denied to Portugal during the pro-communist ICE rule. The Communists suffered another setback in November when left-wing military officers staged an unsuccessful coup attempt.
In April 1976, the country's new constitution came into effect. Political parties were allowed to participate in the "revolutionary" process of creating a classless society. The nationalization of enterprises and the expropriation of land carried out in 1974-1975 were declared irreversible. The constitution established the rights to assemble and strike, as well as to justify objection to military service. Censorship, torture and the death penalty were abolished. In the elections, the Socialists won the majority of seats in the new assembly. In June, following the election of General António Ramalho Eanis as President, the leader of the Socialists, Mario Soares, became Prime Minister.
After 1976, the Portuguese government pursued a cautious and moderate policy aimed at restoring stability to the economy. Soarish's government had few supporters for two years and was dominated by ministers from the coalition parties. In the elections of December 1979 and October 1980, the alliance of the moderate Social Democratic (former People's Democratic) Party and the Social Democratic Center received a narrow majority of votes. In 1982 the Revolutionary Council of Officers, which had been an advisory body to the President since 1976, was dissolved and replaced by a civilian council. The severe economic crisis necessitated new elections in April 1983, which were won by the Socialists, who formed a coalition government with the Social Democrats. Mario Soares retained the post of prime minister.
In 1985, the Social Democrats refused to support the Soarish government and received a majority in the elections. Aníbal Cavasu Silva became prime minister of a coalition government backed by the Christian Democrats. Mario Soares won the 1986 presidential election and became Portugal's first civilian president in 60 years.
In 1986, Portugal joined the European Community and began to carry out reforms in its economy in accordance with the charter of this organization. In 1987, the Social Democrats received an overwhelming number of votes in the parliamentary elections. With the support of the socialists, they introduced amendments to the Constitution in 1989, changing the Marxist phraseology of 1976. In 1991, Soares was re-elected to the presidency. The government, elected in 1987, completed the four-year plan in 1991.
Assessment of the results of the transition period.
The Rose Revolution in Portugal led to a rapid and effective transformation of the political system from traditional quasi-corporate authoritarian rule to a modern parliamentary democracy. The country freed itself from the shackles that hindered it; civil liberties and free and fair elections were restored; functioning parliamentary system.
However, economic transformation has been very slow. All governments, including socialist ones, saw the solution of the problem of the external balance of payments as the main task, paying less attention to such internal problems as unemployment, inflation and slow economic growth. As a result, during the first decade after the revolution, per capita income fell below pre-revolutionary levels.
The second decade of the transition period was characterized by impressive growth in all indicators of economic development. The country's accession to the EU and the incentive investment policy of the social democratic government led to an increase in foreign investment in the late 1980s. In the period 1986-1991, the increase in production annually ranged from 3 to 5%, and the unemployment rate fell from 8% to 4%.
Some of the costs of the late 1980s policies began to emerge in the early 1990s. True, inflation, which ranged from 9% to 14% in the second half of the 1980s, fell to almost 3% in the first half of the 1990s, but the unemployment rate increased. The country also suffered from an unbalanced trade balance, a balance of payments deficit and an external debt burden. Meanwhile, a recession in the economy, with periodic depreciation of the currency and resistance to the government's privatization program, led in early 1993 to a crisis in industry, where there was a significant reduction in production.
Amendments to the Constitution in 1988 and 1989, and later to legislation (for example, the law on privatization in 1990) erased the socio-economic traces of the "pink revolution". As a result, the direction of reforms in land tenure and relations between employers and workers changed, state ownership was limited to public utilities and industrial equipment, and state regulation of investment activity was abolished. Economic policy in the mid-1990s was aimed at reducing inflation, as well as eliminating the budget deficit.
Portugal in the 1990s and 2000s.
The government of Cavaco Silva took a number of steps that were perceived by the left opposition as a restriction of civil liberties and human rights. In September 1992, a law was enacted that limited the right to strike. From now on, in the event of a strike in such vital sectors as passenger transport, energy supply and health care, the government could force the strikers to go to work. A new asylum law in 1993 allowed immigrants to be expelled from the country without a court order. President Soares tried to oppose its adoption, and although the parliament overrode the presidential "veto", the government amended it, which gave the deportees the opportunity to appeal. The measures taken by the SDP cabinet in the area of cuts in social spending provoked protests from workers in the affected industries. So, in December 1993, 80% of Portuguese doctors went on strike against the government's health policy and for higher wages. In 1994, Cavaco Silva's cabinet ordered an increase in tolls on the important bridge across the Tagus River, which links the capital Lisbon with the south of the country, which caused numerous protests by transport drivers. They continued for several weeks. The opposition accused the government of imposing a "hidden tax" and submitted a motion of no confidence to the Assembly of the Republic, but it was rejected in October 1994. The conflict between the ruling PSD and President Mario Soares escalated. In February 1995, the Social Democrats defiantly elected Joaquín Fernando Nogueira as their future leader, whom the president refused to approve as deputy prime minister.
In the general elections of October 1, 1995, the SDP suffered a heavy defeat. The number of votes cast for her fell from 51% to 34%, she was able to get only 88 out of 230 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. The Socialists won with 44% of the vote and 112 seats in parliament. The Coalition of Democratic Unity led by the PKP and the People's Party (former SDC), which opposed the strengthening of European integration, received 15 seats each. The new government, which consisted of socialists and non-partisans, was headed by PSP leader António Guterres. In January 1996, the socialist Jorge Sampaio was elected president of the country, receiving about 54% of the vote. Sampaio, a lawyer by training, one of the leaders of the student opposition against the Salazar regime, who acted as a lawyer for the opponents of the dictatorship. After the revolution of 1974 he was a member of the Movement of Left Socialists, in 1978 he joined the PSP and the following year he was elected to the Assembly of the Republic. In 1988 he became general secretary of the Socialist Party, in 1989-1995 he served as mayor of Lisbon. In January 2001, Sampaio was re-elected president for another term. He won 55.8% of the vote, ahead of the PSD and People's Party candidates Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral (34.5%), the PKP António de Abreu (5.1%), the Left Bloc Fernando Rosas (3%) and the Maoist Portuguese Communist Party workers António Garcia Pereiro (1.5%).
In May 1996, Parliament decided to decentralize the government of the country. Instead of 18 administrative districts in continental Portugal, whose governors were appointed by the central government, 9 regions with extended rights were formed. The government called this plan "the reform of the century", the right-wing opposition - "the split of the nation". November 8, 1998 was held a referendum on administrative reform, it was attended by less than 50% of voters. The plan was rejected by 63.6% of the vote.
The socialists also tried to implement a number of reforms in the political system, including the introduction of a quota for the representation of women in parliament, a decrease in the number of deputies, the admission of independent candidates in elections, and the holding of referendums. In 1997, some of the proposed measures were approved by Parliament, but the introduction of a quota for women was rejected by the Assembly on March 5, 1999.
The economic policy of the Guterres government was guided by the Maastricht criteria, defined by the European Union and providing for the reduction of the budget deficit. A course was pursued for austerity in most industries, improved tax collection. The government, employers and part of the trade unions entered into a "social pact", which limited the upper limit of wage increases.
In October 1999, the SP strengthened its position in the general parliamentary elections, winning 115 out of 230 seats. The PSD won 81 seats, the PKP coalition 17, the NP 15, and the Left Bloc 2. No significant changes were made in the new cabinet, but the ministries of finance and economy were merged under the leadership of Pina Moura. The collapse of the system of social services (health care, education, social insurance) continued, which caused growing discontent among the population. As a result, the ruling joint venture was defeated in the early parliamentary elections in March 2002. The right-wing parties, the SDP and the NP, returned to power. The post of prime minister was taken over by the leader of the SDP, José Manuel Duran Barroso. A lawyer and political scientist by training, he was first elected to Parliament from the PSD in 1985, the following year he was appointed Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior, and in 1987 Secretary of State for Cooperation and Foreign Affairs at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mainly dealing with relations with former colonies in Africa). From 1992-1995 he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The new government has announced its intention to introduce neo-liberal education reforms, increase taxes to make them less progressive, privatize state television, strengthen police and security measures, restrict immigration, freeze public sector wages, and cut public spending. Proposed changes to the country's labor laws led to general strikes in November and December 2002. In foreign policy, Durán Barroso leaned toward the pro-American position of Spain and Britain.
In July 2004, Duran Barroso stepped down as prime minister to assume the role of President of the European Commission. He also resigned as leader of the party.
General elections were held in February 2005. They were won by the Socialist Party, which won 120 out of 230 seats. Party leader José Socrates was appointed as the new prime minister. After a second term as president, Sampaia was replaced by Anibal Cavaco Silva, former prime minister (1985-1995). Cavako won over 50 percent of the vote, avoiding a second round of voting.
