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Cheap Hotels in Portugal
Hotels in Portugal
The country of Portugal lies at the very west of the continent of Europe. It has the Atlantic Ocean on its west and around the southern coast and the country of Spain on its east and across the north end of the country. The country covers an area of approximately 92 thousand square kilometres and has a varied landscape. The population of Portugal is approximately 10 million people.
Portugal has three other islands belonging to it, which also lie just of the Atlantic Coast. These are the Azores, the Madeira and the Savage Isles, a small group, which are not inhabited and are under the control of Madeira. The weather is cool and mostly wet during winter with extreme winds along the Atlantic Coastal side. Summers are very hot and dry. Fires caused by the extremely dry conditions during the summer months have been known to be the cause of great fires throughout the forest regions of the country and many towns and villages are on fire alert throughout the summer months.
Since as early as the 12th century, Portugal has been independent. The borders have hardly changed with its neighbouring Spain and the country had a reputation of being an extremely capable and seaworthy nation. Portuguese Navigators, such as Henry the Navigator and Ferdinand Magellan drafted many of the navigation routes of the world, some still used in present day. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal flourished and was a strong and powerful nation. However, changes came and the earthquake of 1755 destroyed the city of Lisbon, its thriving capital. This was rebuilt and is still the capital today. Portugal held the colony of Brazil until 1822, and Portuguese is still Brazil’s national language today, as it is Portugal’s. Due to the sea faring nation exploits, Portugal held many colonies across the Americas, Northern Africa and Southeast Asia. During the mid-seventies Portugal gave independence to the colonies it owned in Northern Africa. These colonies were Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe. Portugal also ruled the small colony of East Timor in Asia and relinquished this during an Indonesian battle. The island of Macau, also a colony, went to form part of China during huge changes in Asia during 1999.
From 1910 to 1926 Portugal was a republic, however after a military coup in 1926 a series of fascist governments ruled up until 1974, when a left-wing army group called the Carnation Revolution took charge, making many changes for the good. Portugal has a thriving economy and tourism plays a large part. The currency used in Portugal is Euro and the country has been a member of the European Union since 1986.
Portugal Embassy
For your convenience we have listed Portuguese embassys below. Embassys can provide you with information regarding visas and other important travel information.
