The idea of walking on the beaches of Portugal and drinking a cool juice in the Mediterranean climate of this country can tempt anyone to dream of traveling to this country. Portugal, as one of the member countries of the Schengen Agreement and a member of the European Union, today, with its attractive historical monuments and numerous beautiful and clean beaches along with its encouraging climate, has become one of the attractive tourist destinations in the European continent, but for all People from all over the world have been. The growing economy, the development of tourism, educational and medical infrastructures, and the existence of sports legends are all factors in the popularity of this country among the world.
Now, today and in this article, we are going to fully introduce the country of Portugal and examine all its aspects. So don’t miss this article and follow us till the end.
Portugal - Europe's Western Gateway
The Republic of Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe, which is a member of the Schengen Agreement, and its capital is Lisbon, which, along with Porto, is the most populated city in Portugal. The population of about ten million people in Portugal, who live in an area of 92,120 square meters, constitutes about 0.13% of the world’s population, and in general, the population of women in this country is more than the population of men, which has caused Young Portuguese boys and girls face a marriage crisis. Portugal is bordered by Spain from the east and north, and is connected to Maghreb in the south through the sea. Also, the Atlantic Ocean forms the western parts of this country. This neighborhood with the sea has made Portugal to have many beautiful beaches and because of that it can become one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
The people of Portugal speak Portuguese, which is one of the languages of the Ibero-Romanic branch. It is interesting to know that not only the people of Portugal speak Portuguese, but a large part of the people of South America and the African continent are also speakers of this language, which is why the Portuguese language is among the 10 most influential languages in the world today.
History of Portugal
It is interesting to know that Portugal is one of the oldest and most authentic countries in Europe. The first name of this country was Porto Calais, which was actually the name of a small city that had a certain prosperity and glory in ancient times and was a gateway to introduce this country to people all over the world. When the Romans entered this land, they spread Christianity in this country. The Portuguese people believed in Christianity to such an extent that even when the Islamic caliphs entered this country, they still maintained that religion. The Portuguese have always been expert sailors. But the golden period of Portuguese history, also known as the Golden Age, lasted until the Spanish domination of this country. After Spain dominated Portugal for 60 years, finally in 1640 AD, the people of this country were able to gain their independence.
After Portugal was able to gain its independence, they were able to discover coffee, sugar, rice and diamonds from the rich land of Brazil. But in the modern era, this country has been captured by many events. Among them, we can mention the occupation by French forces. At this time, the capital of Portugal was moved to Brazil, and finally after the defeat of Napoleon, they returned to their land. During these years, many coups took place in Portugal, which led to the change of several governments. Finally, in 1986, Portugal’s government changed to a republic, which greatly contributed to the country’s stability.
Geography of Portugal
Northern part: This area can be considered the most ancient part in Portugal. Many people believe that the main birthplace of the people of Portugal is in this area.
Central part: This part has more natural texture than other parts of Portugal. The highest mountain of this country, Serrada Estrella, is located in this area. It is worth mentioning that Coimbra and one of the oldest universities in Europe is located in this area.
Lisbon region: Another huge and main region of this country is the Lisbon region, which is also known as the official capital of Portugal. Famous tourist destinations such as Sintra and Cascais as well as the Tagus River are located in this area.
Altenjo: This area literally means “beyond the Tagus River”, it is a warm and sparsely populated area, but a very peaceful life. Many people who intend to immigrate to Europe and have a peaceful life live in this area.
Algarve: One of the tourist attractions that draws many people from foreign countries to Portugal is the beautiful beaches of this country. The sunny beaches of southern Portugal are located in this area, which also has many fans.
Azores: A group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal, is located on the island of the same name in this area. Azores can also be considered another natural attraction of Portugal.
Madeira: You may have heard the name of this area before. Madeira is the birthplace of one of the legends of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo. This region is a semi-tropical archipelago with a warm climate.
Weather in Portugal
Portugal’s climate varies significantly from one region to another due to the country’s diverse geographic location and topography. In general, the climate of this country can be divided into four general categories:
In northern Portugal, especially along the Atlantic coast, a temperate oceanic climate prevails. This feature has caused us to witness mild and rainy winters, cool and humid summers, high humidity and abundant rainfall throughout the year in these areas.
But in parts of Portugal, you can also see the Mediterranean climate, which is more prevalent in the south of Portugal, especially in the Algarve region. Hot and dry summers, mild and wet winters, low humidity and continuous rains in winter are among the climatic features of this geographical region.
On the other hand, in the western regions of Portugal, we see a continental climate. The presence of this type of weather in the western regions of this country has caused cool summers and mild winters along with high humidity and abundant rainfall throughout the year for the people of this geographical region.
The weather in eastern Portugal is very similar to the weather in the south of the country. In the east of Portugal, due to the continental climate, we see hot and dry summers and cold and wet winters with scattered rainfall throughout the year and a high temperature range.
Important cities of Portugal
Choosing the most important cities in Portugal is a difficult task, because the country is full of beautiful and charming cities with a rich history and unique culture. However, in this part of the article, we are going to introduce the most important cities in Portugal. Stay with us.
Lisbon
The capital of Portugal and the largest city of this country, Lisbon is a lively and dynamic city with a combination of history and modernity, which has a population of more than 600 thousand and is located in the west of Portugal. The city is located on the hills overlooking the Tajo River and has charming historic neighborhoods, green hills, excellent restaurants, cozy cafes and a thriving nightlife. Sao Jorge Castle, Bell Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Alfama Quarter, Tram 28, National Museum of Ancient Art, Atlantic Ocean and Cascais Beach are among the most popular tourist attractions of this beautiful city. The city of Lisbon is known as the second economic hub of the Iberian region after Madrid. This is enough to understand the economic and political importance of this city for the Portuguese government.
It is worth mentioning that the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has created beautiful, clean beaches with different appearances, which can be a good option for tourists interested in water sports.
Porto
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is famous for its historic port, magnificent bridges and famous port wine. The current population of this city is estimated to be more than 3 million people who live in a city with an area of 41.42 square kilometers. The city is located along the Douro River and has a Baroque-style historical center that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many tourists who travel to Porto plan to visit the tourist attractions of this city such as the Don Luis I Bridge, the Ribeira neighborhood, Port wineries, the Crystal Palace, the Botanic Gardens of the City, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Foggia Beach. they give.
It is interesting to know that the importance of Porto in the history of Portugal is so high that according to Portuguese historians, the name of Portugal was inspired by the name of the city of Porto and the city of Calais. This city has a very mild climate and has become a very good destination for tourists. The summers of this city are not very hot and the winters do not reach the freezing point.
Braga
But let’s introduce the city of Braga, the third largest city in Portugal. This city is located in the northern regions and with a population of one million people, it is considered one of the busiest cities in this country. It is interesting to know that in 2021, according to an internet survey, Braga was chosen as the best destination among the cities of the Iberian region. Most of the industries in this city are related to traditional industries, which include textiles, firearms, jewelry, cutlery, and furniture. In addition, the Catholic University of Portugal, which is the first modern university in the country, is located in the city of Braga and has a total of 11,000 students with more than 1,000 teaching staff.
Among the most important tourist attractions of this city, we can mention Braga Cathedral, Santa Barbara Garden, etc., and enjoy visiting these collections by traveling to this historical, cultural and religious city.
Coimbra
Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal, is a university city with a young and vibrant atmosphere located in the central and western regions of the country. The current population of the city of Coimbra is about 500 thousand people, most of which are students from different cities and countries, and due to the presence of these students, today we see modern shopping malls and advanced residences in this city. This city is famous for its old university, which is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. The University of Coimbra, Joanina Library, Sé Velha Cathedral, Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery, Machado de Castro National Museum, Botânico Gardens, and Arco do Cego Park are among the most popular tourist attractions in Coimbra.
Portugal economy
The economy of this country, which was once known as one of the weakest economies in Europe, has seen significant growth and changes in recent years. This country is currently classified as a high-income economy and a member of the European Union and the Eurozone. The backbone of Portugal’s economy is the service sector, which accounts for about 65% of GDP. This sector includes activities such as tourism, finance, real estate, and trade. Also, the industry sector is the second largest sector of the country’s economy with a 19% share in the GDP. This sector includes industries such as automobile manufacturing, textiles, food and beverage, and electrical equipment. The smallest sector of Portugal’s economy is agriculture, which plays an important role in the country’s food supply and the export of agricultural products with a 2% share in the GDP.
According to the current trends, the country’s economy is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The International Monetary Fund predicts that the Portuguese economy will grow by 3.3% in 2023 and by 2.2% in 2024.
The best universities in Portugal
The University of Lisbon was established in 2013 from the merger of the two old universities of Lisbon. This university offers a wide range of study fields at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in various fields such as humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, engineering, medicine, etc. According to the 2024 QS ranking, the University of Lisbon is among the top 300 universities in the world. It is worth mentioning that studying in this university is known for its high quality of education, outstanding research, experienced professors and modern facilities.
Porto university, which was founded in 1290, is considered the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest universities in Europe, and is located in Porto. According to the QS ranking, this educational institution is ranked 350 among the best universities in the world. Due to its long and brilliant history in the field of education and research, this university has a global reputation, and today it offers a wide range of fields of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and basic sciences.
The University of Coimbra is located in the city of Coimbra and has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the long history of its faculties. The establishment of this educational institution dates back to the end of the 13th century, which was among the top universities in Portugal, and today it is among the top 500 universities in the world according to the QS ranking. This university offers various fields of study at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, engineering, medicine, etc.
Portuguese national and local ceremonies
Portugal is a country with a rich culture and history that hosts a number of national and local celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. These events are a great opportunity to experience the unique traditions, music, food and dance of this country. In this part of the article, we will examine some of the most important national and local ceremonies of the Portuguese people. Stay with us.
Carnival
Carnival is the biggest celebration of the year in this country, which is held for a week before Easter. The event includes passionate street parades, costumes, music, dance and celebration. People gather in the streets to chase away winter and welcome spring with dance and song. This event is held every year in February or March throughout Portugal, especially in the cities of Lisbon, Lules and Madeira.
Festa dos Santos Populares
The festival takes place in Lisbon for two weeks in June and honors the city’s local and religious traditions. The streets are decorated with paper lanterns and people wear traditional clothes. During this festival, you can witness live music performances, folk dances, singing and also enjoy traditional Portuguese food.
Queima das Fitas
Queima das Fitas is an annual student festival held in the university city of Coimbra every year in May. The duration of this festival lasts for a week and includes street parades, concerts, sports competitions and other events. In this festival, students wear traditional clothes and decorate each other with colorful ribbons called “fitas”.
São João
São João is the feast of Saint John the Baptist and is the largest festival in the north of the country. The festival includes fireworks, dancing, live music and street feasts. People wear white clothes and hit each other on the head with plastic hammers and chant “Até ao ano que vem!” (Until next year!) they shout. Sao Jau Festival is held on June 24 in Porto and other northern cities of Portugal.
Get Portugal residency
The most popular way to obtain Portuguese residency is financial investment, which can lead to receiving a golden visa. This visa grants permanent residency to applicants and their family members after making a substantial investment in Portugal. The minimum investment amount for a golden visa is €500,000 in real estate, €350,000 in research and development, €200,000 in cultural heritage conservation or €1 million in government bonds. Applicants can apply for Portuguese residency by investing in job creation and employing at least 10 local people.
To get a Portugal work visa, you must receive a job offer from a Portuguese employer and note that this job offer must offer salaries and working conditions in accordance with Portugal’s minimum wage and labor standards. It is worth noting that people can look for work in Portugal for 180 days using a type of permit called a job search visa.
If you plan to study in Portugal, you can apply for a student visa. To get a student visa, you must be accepted by a Portuguese university that is recognized by the government of this country and have the financial ability to pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you marry a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for a family reunification visa. To be eligible for this visa, your marriage must be valid and you must have the financial ability to cover your and your spouse’s living expenses. Also note that at least 3 to 5 years must have passed since the marriage to be recognized by the government of this country.
Portugal is one of the most popular European countries among all the people of the world, and by obtaining its residence, you can also get a Schengen visa. Obtaining a Schengen visa allows you to easily travel to the 26 member countries of the Schengen Agreement without the need to obtain a separate visa. Thank you for joining us in this article. We hope that the information presented in this article was useful for you. Nobility Immigration Institute works in the field of Schengen visa counseling and European residency. You can contact us for more information and free consultation.