Bom dia! Welcome to the land of explorers and soulful Fado—Portugal, the westernmost country of mainland Europe, situated on the Iberian Peninsula. There are around 10 million people living here, and the capital is Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in the world, famous for its yellow trams and seven hills. The official language is Portuguese, which is now spoken by hundreds of millions of people across the globe.
Portugal covers about 92,212 square kilometers (35,603 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of Indiana in the U.S., or about the same size as Hungary. It includes two stunning archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean: the Azores and Madeira.
The most popular sport is Football, and the country has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Their national animal is the Barcelos Rooster (Galo de Barcelos), a symbol of faith and justice, while the Iberian Lynx is a rare and majestic resident of their forests.
The flag consists of a vertical band of green and a larger band of red with the national coat of arms in the center, where the green represents hope for the future and the red symbolizes the blood of those who defended the nation.
The food is a celebration of the sea and Mediterranean tradition. You must try Bacalhau (salted cod), which locals say can be cooked in 365 different ways—one for every day of the year. Another favorite is Pastel de Nata, a creamy egg tart with a flaky crust that is best enjoyed with a sprinkle of cinnamon. For a hearty meal, try the Francesinha, a towering sandwich from Porto covered in melted cheese and a spicy tomato-beer sauce.
Portugal is home to the Torre de Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery, stunning examples of Manueline architecture that celebrate the Age of Discovery. The country features the Douro Valley, one of the oldest wine regions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its terraced vineyards. You can visit Sintra, a fairytale town filled with colorful palaces like the Pena Palace nestled in the mist of the mountains. For thrill-seekers, the giant waves of Nazaré attract surfers from all over the world to ride some of the largest swells ever recorded. Interestingly, Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork, providing over half of the global supply!
From the haunting melodies of Fado in the Alfama district to the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve, Portugal is a land of maritime legends and timeless beauty. Obrigado! That means “Thank you!”