Cheap Car Hire Portugal

Portugal

Situated at the western brink of the European mainland, Portugal, a friendly nation with over 1000 kilometers of white sandy beaches retains the rural charm. The continent is bordered to the north and east by Spain. The capital, Lisboa, is in the centre of the country and along with its surrounding region containing nearly two million of the ten million national populations.

Portugal is well described as a land of flavorsome cuisine and fine port wine, romantic beaches, and medieval villages sitting atop scenic hills. The pretty ports along the Tajo and the sheer cliffs of the Serra de Estrela, coupled with the Moorish quarters and high rises of Lisbon, make for an altogether delightful traveling experience.

The beaches of the Algarve are the best known; in addition, rest of the coastline is worth exploring. The history of the nation has left its mark, especially in the north where the landscape is peppered by castles and churches. 

Explore the variety of the Portuguese experience – variety in food, in music, in landscape, all making your trip a remarkable one.

Although Portugal developed as a separate state in the 12th century, until that time, the history of Portugal is inseparable from that of the Iberian Peninsula.
During the 2nd century B.C, Portugal became a part of the Roman province of Lusitania.
The then national hero, Chieftain Viriatus, took over the administration of Portugal.
The Roman’s rule ended soon, by the 5th century, with the invasions of Germanic tribes. One of these tribes, the Visigoths, came to dominate the peninsula for more than 200 years.

Muslim Domination and the Christian Reconquest

In 711, Muslims invaded the Iberian Peninsula from Africa and deposed the Visigothic monarchy. Bermudo II, king of León, captured Christian kingdoms in the north of the peninsula, who resisted Muslim expansion and in 997, the territory between the Douro and Miño rivers (now northern Portugal) were captured back from the Muslims.

By 1064, the Christians struggled to reclaim lands from the Muslims, known as the Christian reconquest. The reconquered districts were then organized into a feudal county, composed of fiefs loyal to Spanish kings.

In 1179, Afonso obtained papal recognition of the title of king, placing the Portuguese kingdom under the protection of the Holy Section. Afonso was honored as the founder of the Portuguese monarchy.

Portugal is now a modern and progressive nation, staging events including EXPO '98 under the theme of 'Oceans' in the redeveloped west Lisboa docks and the EURO 2004.

Geography of Portugal

Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Geographic coordinates:
39 30 N, 8 00 W

Area Total:
92,391 sq km

Land:
91,951 sq km

Water:
440 sq km
Note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:
Portugal has a maritime temperate climate that varies according to elevation and proximity to the ocean. The heaviest precipitation occurs in northern Portugal. The northern coast receives about 1,500 mm (about 60 in) of rain annually. Rainfall increases with altitude, and the western slopes of the northern mountains receive about 2,300 mm (about 90 in) annually. In southern Portugal, summers are long and hot and winters are moderate.

People & Society:
The Portuguese people delve into diverse culture. Since prehistoric times, Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, and later, Muslim Arabs and Berbers reside in Portugal. Centuries of assimilation have imbued the Portuguese people with a remarkable degree of homogeneity. Of late, immigrants from Africa to Brazil, and Asia have given Portugal a more multicultural character.

Portugal as a society has been making strides since the revolution of 1974. Despite these developments, a majority of Portuguese, inhabiting the vast rural areas of the country continue to lead a traditional life. Politically, the Portuguese mentality has become more liberal, and in recent years the death penalty was abolished from Portugal’s criminal and legal system altogether.

Education:
Elementary education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 15. The major universities are the University of Coimbra and the University of Lisbon. In 1996, 295,000 students were enrolled in Portugal’s institutions of higher learning.

Religions:
Roman Catholic 94%
Protestant (1995)

Cheap Car Rental Services in Portugal