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Portugal 

 Flag of Portugal
Last reviewed: 26 July 2011

Country information

Map of Portugal


Full Country Name: The Portuguese Republic
Area: 92 090 km2
Population: 10.555 million (provisional Census 2011 results)
Capital City: Lisbon (population: around 2.million)
People: 95% Portuguese, approx 5% ethnic minorities
Language(s): Portuguese
Religion(s): Predominantly Roman Catholic (over 90%); others Protestant, Muslim and Jewish
Currency: euro (EUR)
Major political parties: Social Democratic Party or PSD (Leader: Pedro Passos Coelho), Socialist Party or PS (Leader: Antonio Jose’ Seguro), Christian Democratic Party or CDS/PP (Paulo Portas), Leftwing Block or BE (Leader: Francisco Louçã), (rotational leadership); Portuguese Communist Party or PCP (Leader: Jerónimo de Sousa), the Greens or PEV (in coalition with the Communist Party)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy/semi-presidential system. Parliament is elected for four years and has 230 seats: PSD 108; PS 74; CDS/PP 24; CDU 16; and BE 8. The PSD and CDS together achieved an overall majority of 132 at the early general election held on 5 June 2011. The President is elected every 5 years and can only serve two consecutive terms. Current President Cavaco Silva was re-elected for a second term in January 2011 and the next presidential election due in 2016. The Government serves a four year term and the next general election is due in 2015.

Head of State: President Cavaco Silva
Prime Minister: Pedro Passos Coelho
Foreign Minister: Paulo Portas

Membership of international groups/organisations:
European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), United Nations (UN), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe, Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

DID YOU KNOW?

The first circumnavigation of the globe was led by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.

The UK’s alliance with Portugal is older than any other and began with a Treaty in 1373.

The Portuguese language is spoken by over 200 million people throughout the world.


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