Portugal is a country with a rich history, picturesque landscapes, and unique cultural traditions. It is famous for its explorers who discovered new lands, beautiful cities with preserved medieval architecture, and diverse cuisine. Portugal was the birthplace of many discoveries and important historical events that influenced the development of civilization. In this article, you will discover interesting facts, incredible facts, and captivating facts about Portugal that you may not have known.
- Portugal is the oldest country in Europe with unchanged borders. They were established as early as 1139 when the Kingdom of Portugal gained independence. Since then, its borders have remained practically the same. This makes Portugal unique in European history.
- Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is considered one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its history stretches back more than three thousand years. It is older than Rome, Paris, and London. The city still preserves monuments from the times of the Romans and Moors.
- Portugal was once a great maritime empire. In the 15th and 16th centuries, its fleet discovered new territories in Africa, Asia, and South America. It was the Portuguese who first rounded the Cape of Good Hope and opened the sea route to India. They laid the foundations of the global spice trade.
- The Portuguese language is the sixth most spoken language in the world by number of native speakers. Around 260 million people speak it across different countries. It is the official language in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, and several other nations. This makes it one of the truly global languages.
- Portugal is home to the westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. A memorial plaque there declares it the place where the land ends and the sea begins. Thousands of tourists visit it every year. It is a popular spot for photographs with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.
- The country is famous for its port wine. It originates from the Douro Valley and is considered one of Portugal’s symbols. Port wine is exported to dozens of countries and comes in many varieties. Tourists often visit Porto’s wine cellars for tastings.
- Portugal was the first colonial empire in the world. Its overseas territories stretched from Brazil to India and China. The colonial policy brought wealth to the country but also led to conflicts. Despite this, the cultural legacy of the empire is still felt today.
- Lisbon is home to one of the longest bridges in Europe, the Vasco da Gama Bridge. It stretches for more than 17 kilometers. It was opened in 1998 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India. The bridge is considered a marvel of modern engineering.
- Portugal has the world’s largest cork oak plantations. It produces more than half of all the cork in the world. Cork is used for wine stoppers, accessories, and even furniture. It is one of the country’s main export products.
- In the city of Coimbra, there is the Joanina Library. It is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Built in the 18th century, it is decorated with golden details and carved wooden panels. It houses hundreds of thousands of rare books.
- Portugal is famous for its azulejos, ceramic tiles with ornamental patterns. They decorate buildings, churches, and even railway stations throughout the country. The tradition of making azulejos came from the Moors who once ruled the Iberian Peninsula. These tiles have become a hallmark of Portugal.
- The world’s oldest bookstore, Bertrand, is located in Lisbon. It opened in 1732 and is still operating today. The bookstore became a cultural hub for writers and readers. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
- Portugal is one of the best places in the world for surfing. The Atlantic coast attracts surfers from all over the globe. The wave of Nazaré is particularly famous and is considered one of the biggest in the world. International competitions are held there every year.
- The University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It was founded in 1290. It became an important center of science and culture. Many prominent Portuguese figures studied there.
- Portugal is known for its traditional music genre, fado. These are melancholic songs about love, fate, and longing. Fado is included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Lisbon, there are venues where tourists can enjoy live fado performances.
- Football is extremely popular in Portugal. The national team won the European Championship in 2016. The country has given the world legendary players such as Eusébio, Luís Figo, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Football is an inseparable part of Portuguese culture.
- Portugal was one of the first countries to abolish the death penalty. This happened back in the 19th century. It was an important step in the development of the country’s legal system. Today, Portugal is considered one of the safest nations in Europe.
- Portuguese cuisine is highly diverse. The most famous dish is bacalhau, dried and salted cod, which is prepared in hundreds of different ways. Seafood dishes and traditional sweets such as pastéis de nata are also very popular. Food is an essential part of national identity.
- Portugal enjoys a very high number of sunny days. In some regions, there are more than 300 days of sunshine each year. This makes the country attractive for tourism and winemaking. The pleasant climate allows for enjoyable holidays at any time of the year.
Portugal is a country that can surprise and enchant from the very first visit. Interesting facts about it reveal the richness of its history and culture. Incredible facts highlight its contribution to world discoveries and art. Captivating facts prove that Portugal can offer unforgettable experiences to anyone who decides to explore it.
