Portugal emerged as an independent state in the mid-twelfth century, in the context of the Reconquer, the peripheral area of the vast Christian empire of León and Castile, precise political circumstances led to their separation, this time in the south, the territory has not reached the line of Tagus. The initial core of the new state was a county in whose formation interfered city Portucale (Porto), occupied by Christians in 868, it was organized from the regions devastated by the Moors who stayed north. Portugal will add later county Coimbra, south of the Douro, getting all entrusted to the end of the eleventh century, a single political leader, Earl D. Henrique de Borgonha. The territory of this country has widened then south, by successive conquests from the Moors, who, having strengthened the conditions of autonomy already created, completed in 1250. The treaty Alcañices concluded shortly after (1297), regulated some controversy on the border with Castile. If we discount the latter insignificant minor adjustments and occupation of Olivenza in 1801 by the Spaniards, though not recognized by international conventions later, Portugal acquired at that time, in the late thirteenth century, the spatial configuration that has reached our days. In this sense, it should be emphasized here that is the oldest political formation of Europe.

The island of Madeira, were already known, to believe in Spanish monastic references and maps (Libro del Conocimiento (1348-1349). Nevertheless, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira in 1419, called the islands "Madeira", "Porto Santo" and "Desertas", becoming recognized as Portuguese territory, with the capital Funchal. Began around 1425 colonization that have been an initiative based on strategic capability for navigation given location geographical.

Later, in 1432, Gonçalo Velho Cabral discovered the island of Santa Maria in the year 1457 and all nine islands had already been visited by Portuguese and Flemish explorers. The colonization of the unoccupied islands started in 1439, later a violent eruption of Fogo vulcain, in 1522 buried the then capital "Vila Franca do Campo" assuming "Ponta Delgada" the role of capital of the archipelago of the Azores.

In 1976 the Azores and Madeira Autonomous Regions have become for Portugal.

The Portuguese Republic is laic-oriented and ensures the freedom of expression of any religious belief. The majority of the Portuguese population, about 84 percent, is part of a Catholic tradition. Although Catholics are a large majority, the Portuguese society is open to other religions and beliefs and most Catholics live religiosity in a way that is lightweight with a healthy religious practice, especially in the South.

One of the sacred places in Portugal of greater reference for Catholics is the Sanctuary of Fatima apparitions. Located in the center of the country is gathering place for millions of pilgrims who have come walking from all areas of Portugal and believers from many areas of the world. Most towns and villages in Portugal have a patron saint and in most of these locations a celebration procession that often joins with pagan rituals with religious is made.

In the Azores and Madeira Catholicism is equally important religious festivals this being especially strong when the Portuguese around the world come to Portugal during the summer vacation period.

Lisbon is the eclectic capital of Portugal, certainly a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Nearby Cascais and Sintra hosts magnificent beaches enchant you with its forests and castles worthy of fairy tales. In the North, Porto is famous for world-famous port wine and the overview of Douro region. If you want a good dose of sun and sea, discover the beautiful coast with cliffs and golden beaches of the Algarve, as well as the excellent golf courses. Most of its population is concentrated on the coast. The cities of Lisbon and Porto sometimes reach a population density of 700 persons per km². The Atlantic influences advancing along the coast, while the sprawling Mediterranean inland, especially along the lower lands. In contrast to the North Atlantic and, less markedly, with the South, the North inside reveals traces of continentality, so characteristic of the center of the peninsula. It is a region of large temperature ranges, which are separated the various elements of the agrarian landscape (field, forest, grassland), the ownership and operation of rural areas are generally small, densities decline relative to the West, the population is divided by villages, less smaller but well spaced from the south.

Continental Portugal has three major territorial groups: North Atlantic, North and South Interior It can be said that the North inner advances more or less to the Central Cordillera, while the North Atlantic is available to the Mondego. These two units are separated by great mountain barrier which makes it less sensitive within the maritime influences, south, extends the third of the fundamental divisions considered, which features Mediterranean will be greater each day. In the Northwest, the climate is more humid, the spontaneous vegetation comprises many species of deciduous trees. The Northern traditional human settlement: large densities, fragmentation and small size of farms and rural properties, population density, wide spread of pine, relevance of polyculture, centered around the creation of corn and cattle. The south Mediterranean characteristics prevail, the summer becomes drier and extended; where a topography that will dominate the plains having the rugged Central Mountains, are mounted wide areas, i.e. groves species of evergreen (cork oak, holm oak) scattered through the fields. Portugal is split by the River Tagus, which separates the northern hilly undulating plains of the south. In the north, the landscape is an extension of the Iberian mountains - wooded and crossed by deep valleys. The Serra da Estrela (the highest point in mainland Portugal, with 1991 meters) is situated between the rivers Douro and Tagus. South of the Tagus river, the landscape is characterized by vast plains, cultivated with predominantly Mediterranean species such as oaks, fig trees, olive trees and vineyards. Many of the Portuguese rivers are born in Spain and flow into the Atlantic Ocean, as the rivers Minho, Douro, Tagus and Guadiana, creating a rich hydrographic network.

Almost half of the contours of the continent are in contact with the sea (41%, over 832 km) and only a small area in the northeast is more than 200 km. This way result obvious influences on the climate in Portugal varies significantly from region to region and is influenced by the relief, latitude and proximity to the sea, which offers mild winters, especially in the Algarve. In areas of Porto and North of Portugal and borders, especially in areas nearer Spain, the winters are colder, although the temperatures are mild when compared to the rest of Europe. There is some snowfall, which is more common in the Serra da Estrela, where is the highest point in mainland Portugal (1991m) and one can find conditions to ski.

The summers are hot and dry, especially in the inner regions (Northeast Montes and Alentejo), and on the coast the heat is moderated by the maritime influence.

During fall record is often sunny days with mild temperatures, which occur at the beginning of November usually popularly called "Saint Martin summer" due to the proximity of the date on which we celebrate this Holy.

The annual average temperature in mainland Portugal, in urban areas, ranging from 18 ° C to 12.5 ° C Faro in Bragança and 10 ° C in Guarda, the highest town in the country and cold, while rainfall ranging from less than 300 mm in Massueime creek, a tributary of the Côa, which in turn is a tributary of the Douro, and 450 mm in Faro, Guarda to 1,700 mm and 3,000 mm over the Serra do Gerês. The coldest place considered the country is the Serra da Estrela, which has an average annual temperature of 7 ° C in the higher parts, and less than 4 ° C in the tower, the top of the Mountain, located in the municipality of Seia, Guarda District. Extreme temperatures of Portugal were 47.3 ° C in Amareleja parish of the municipality of Moura, Alentejo, on August 1, 2003, and -16 ° C Penhas da Saúde, locality in the municipality of Covilhã. Precipitation as snow are recorded on an annual basis in the districts of Castelo Branco, Guarda, Bragança and Vila Real, decreasing its occurrence towards the south to become zero for most of the Algarve.

The Portuguese culture is manifested through the most remote traditions popular and has very striking features: Since the typical Portuguese sidewalk, the craft, the tile, the Fado, the bullfighting, etc..

The Portuguese culture is based on a past that dates back to prehistoric times and was strongly influenced by a diversity of people and customs over the years. The ages of the Roman and Arab raids, as well as companies that preceded them, have left their traces and eclectic cultural heritage and archaeological visible throughout the Portuguese territory.

The cave paintings of Escoural Cave, the Roman city of Conímbriga, the Temple of Diana in Évora and architecture with Moorish elements in the towns of Olhão and Tavira are just some examples of the extraordinary cultural treasures of the country. For centuries, the arts in Portugal suffered external influences in the architecture and decoration, including Flemish, French and Italian. Portugal has a huge cultural heritage. One of the most revered of Portuguese culture is Fado, a style of music that emerged in the Alfama neighborhood, in Lisbon, but which is also present in university life of Coimbra. Enjoyed throughout the country as the purest expression of the Portuguese, this melody and melancholy pleading has a touch deep and passionate, so it is still sung today in the Houses of Fado, accompanied by Portuguese guitars.

Portuguese cuisine is recognized as one of the most varied in the world, although it is restricted to a small geographic area, showing Mediterranean influences (including the so-called "Mediterranean diet") but also the Atlantic, as is visible in the amount of fish traditionally consumed. Much has changed since Strabo referred to as a Lusitanian people that fed on acorns. The base of the Mediterranean cuisine, based on the trilogy of bread, wine and oil, is repeated throughout the national territory, various soups, fruits and vegetables. The meat and offal, especially pork, also comprise a set of dishes and regional delicacies, which brings out the sausages. With the advent of maritime discoveries, the Portuguese cuisine quickly integrated use sometimes almost excessive, spices and sugar, and other products, such as beans and potatoes, which were adopted as core products. Note that the variety of regional dishes can be seen even in restricted areas. Two neighboring cities can present, under the same name, dishes that can differ considerably in the way of clothing, even sharing the same basic recipe. Generalizations are not always correct: the various regional cuisines vary greatly in the same region.

Drinks

Portugal is especially famous for its fortified wines: Port wine and Madeira wine, excellent both as appetizers or digestives. However, the traditional wine culture and can be found throughout the country. The Douro region. became one of the most famous in the world thanks to its DOC wines. As with the prestigious châteaux of France, you will find fantastic wines originating from Quintas do Douro. The regions of Alentejo and Dão also produce reds, whites and rosés magnificent. You can enjoy wine tasting truly fascinating nationwide!

The Portuguese also have the habit of accompanying their meals with beer. However, this is generally more appreciated in the late afternoon, in a cafe or terrace.

Bread and Cheese

Each region offers a kind of bread and cheese specific. The most famous cheese is Queijo da Serra originating in the Serra da Estrela. The Queijo de Azeitão, produced in the zone Azeitão (near Lisbon), is also delicious. All restaurants put a basket of bread on the table as input. The bread is usually homemade, fresh or produced in a neighborhood bakery.

Fish

The cod-fish is the "faithful friend" at the table of the Portuguese. Although it is a major ingredient in Portuguese cuisine, cod is imported from the cold waters of the North Atlantic - Canada and Norway. Find a thousand and one different ways of cooking cod.

Meat

The meat dishes are very different across the country, however there are two regions that are famous for their specialties: the Alentejo, with regard to pig, and Tras-os-Montes, with excellent sausages.

Sweets

Many Portuguese pastries are a legacy of the Arab occupation, especially in the Algarve. In Peso da Régua can delight with the Régua sweets, in Lisbon make sure you try the famous "pastel de Belém".

In Portugal Driving is on the right. In squares, intersections and junctions unless signaled otherwise have priority vehicles coming from your right. At intersections with roundabouts have priority vehicles already circulating inside. Traffic signs comply with international standards.

Maximum speed limits for cars without trailers and motorcycles:

50 km / hour - within localities

90 km / hour - in normal

100 km / h - on roads reserved for cars

120 km / h - on motorways.

Blood alcohol level greater than or equal to 0.2 grams / liter, involves driving ban. The use of seat belts is compulsory.

The Highway Code prohibits the use of mobile phones while driving, unless they are used devices speakerphone or headset. More detailed information is available on the website of the Directorate General for Traffic in www.dgv.pt.