The Republic of Portugal

The republic of Portugal is located in the southwestern part of

Europe, situated in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula,

bordered by Spain on the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean

on the south and west. The Azores and Madeira Islands in the

Atlantic are independent regions of Portugal, considered integral

parts of the republic. Portugal administers one overseas

territory, Macau (Macao) in eastern Asia near Hong Kong. Macau is

scheduled to return to Chinese administration in 1999. The total

area of metropolitan Portugal, including the Azores (2247 sq.

km./868 sq. mi.) and the Madeira Islands (794 sq. km./307 sq.

mi.), is 92,345 sq. km. (35,655 sq.mi.). The capital and the

largest city is Lisbon.

Climate varies in Portugal according to the altitude in

which you are located. Low temperatures occur only in the

comparatively low regions of the south. The mean annual

temperature north of the Douro River is about 10 C (about 50 F).

Between Tajo and Douro the temperature is about 16 C (about 60

F). The temperatures in the valley of the Guadiana are at about

18 C (about 65 F). Rainfall is very heavy, especially in the

north.

Minerals are the most valuable natural resources in

Portugal. Much of these resources were developed until after

World War 2 (1939-1945). Some of the mineral resources are coal,

copper, gold, iron ore, kaolin, tin, and wolframite, which is

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source of tungsten. The most sufficient trees are the evergreen

oak, cork, poplar, and olive. Portugal is also a home of many

kinds of wild animals. some of these wild animals include the

wolf, lynx, wildcat, fox, wild boar, wild goat, deer, and hare.

Portugal also has big waterpower resources in its rivers and

mountain streams.

The Portuguese are a combination of several ethnic

elements, principally Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, and later

Moors. The people still live for the most part, in rural

villages. The population of Portugal, including the Azores and

Madeira Islands, is 9,931,045. The overall population density is

108 people per sq. km. (280 per sq. mi.). Mainland Portugal is

divided into 18 districts for administrative causes: Aveiro,

Beja, Braga, Bragnca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Ð"‰vora, Faro,

Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Porto, Portalegre, SantarÐ"©m, SetÐ"Ñ"bal,

Viana do Castelo, Villa Real, and Viseu. The Azores and the

Madeira Islands each constitute an autonomous region.

Roman Catholicism is the faith of more than 94 percent

of the Portuguese people. The Constitution guarantees freedom of

religion, and some Protestant churches have been established. The

official language of the country is Portuguese.

Portuguese culture is closely related to the Spanish culture

and has