ABOUT PORTUGAL

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Fuseta Holiday Home for Rent

Background

Mainland Portugal is geographically located in Europe’s West Coast, on the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered by Spain to the North and East and by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South, therefore being in a geo strategic location between Europe, America and Africa.

In addition to the mainland, Portugal’s territory also includes the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, two archipelagos located in the Atlantic Ocean.I

Portuguese borders have remained unchanged since the XIII Century, making Portugal one of the oldest countries in the world, with nearly 900 years of history that clearly demonstrates its strong identity and internal cohesion.

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Geography

On mainland Portugal, the Tagus River, Portugal’s largest river, divides the high mountainous lands and plateaus of the North, from the low lying plains of the South. Also the flat coastal area contrasts with that of the inland. The highest peaks are found in a mountainous range in the centre of the country, of which Serra da Estrela is the highest with 1 991 m. On the archipelagos, Pico (2 351 m) is the highest peak in the Azores, while Pico Ruivo (1 862 m) is the highest peak in Madeira. The coast of mainland Portugal is mostly unbroken, except for two major estuaries (Tagus and Sado). There are also small bays (Peniche, Sines and Lagos) and lagoons (Vouga-Aveiro, Óbidos and Faro). Headlands are few in number, small in size but of great beauty: these include the Capes of Mondego, Carvoeiro, Roca, Espichel, Sines, S. Vicente and Santa Maria.

Portugal’s climate is well-known for its mild winters and pleasant summers. The wettest months are November and December, whilst the driest are from April to September.

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Population and language

Portugal’s population is estimated at 10.5 million, of which 51% are economically active. The demographic concentration is higher near the coastal areas, with Lisbon (the capital city) and Porto showing the highest population density.

The Portuguese language is spoken by more than 200 million people spread over all continents: Europe, Africa, America and Asia. This diversity greatly contributes to the strong historical and cultural ties that Portugal has with the world.

Fuseta Holiday Home for Rent - PORTUGAL

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