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Portugal 

 Flag of Portugal
Last reviewed: 17 August 2009

Country information

Map of Portugal


Full Country Name: The Portuguese Republic
Area: 92,090 sq km
Population: 10.6 million (2008)
Capital City: Lisbon (population: around 2.1 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: Socialist Party or PS (Leader: Jose Socrates), Social Democratic Party or PSD (Leader: Manuela Ferreira Leite), Popular Party  or CDS/PP (Paulo Portas), Portuguese Communist Party or PCP (Leader: Jerónimo de Sousa), Leftwing Block or BE (Leader: Francisco Louçã), (rotational leadership); The Greens or PEV (coalition with the Communist Party)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy/semi-presidential system; Parliament 230 seats: (PS 121; PSD 75; PCP/Greens 14; CDS/PP 12; BE 8.
Head of State: President Cavaco Silva
Prime Minister: José Sόcrates
Foreign Minister: Luis Amado
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), 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

Portugal is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Peninsular Wars, when the French army was expelled with the help of British troops led by the Duke of Wellington

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

Portugal will celebrate in 2010 the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republican regime, when Monarchy was overthrown




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