Country's Full Name: Portuguese Republic, Republica Portuguesa

Brief History: The Lusitanians are supposed to be early inhabitants of this country. Romans annexed it in 140 BC. Portugal was granted freedom from Spain in 1143. In later years Portugal were the lords of the sea traveling to the far off nations. The sailors made their colony in Brazil, Macao (China), Goa (India), Malaysia, Persia, Angola, Mozambique and East Timor. Unfortunately, they lost to their competitors due to inefficient, corrupt kings. Public rebellion made the last king Manoel II to be thrown out of power in 1910, making it French style republic. Portugal was the initiator in forming European Union.

What is country known for:
Portugal is widely acclaimed for its music, art and culture - it has rich tradition of folk music and folk dance.
Vinho do Porto wine is exclusively made in Portugal, taste it.
Visit the natural park in Southwest of Alentejo situated in between two mountain ranges and two hundred miles of coastline.

Main Industries: Textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals and metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and plastic products; ceramics; electronics and communications equipment; rail transportation equipment; aerospace equipment; ship construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism.
Exports: $38.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides.
Imports: $60.35 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products.

Main Trading Partners: European Union countries (Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, UK) and US.

Major Cities: Lisbon (capital) population 2,618,100;
Oporto - 264,200.

Location: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
It is in the Western Europe surrounded by Spain in the east. Atlantic Ocean is in the west with strong coastline.

Size:
Total area: 35,672 sq mi - 92,391 sq km
Land area: 35,382 sq mi - 91,951 sq km,
Water area: 440 sq km
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands located in Western Gibraltar.
Coastline: 1,793 km

Time Zone: Portugal observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In summer it advances its clock by 1 hour to the GMT, following Western Europe Summer Time (WEST).

Type of Government: Portugal has unicameral parliament (Assembleia da Republica) where 230 members are elected by popular vote to serve four year term. The Prime Minister is elected by members of parliament. President is elected for five year term on popular vote.
Present president - Anibal Cavaco Silva (since March 2006).
Present Prime Minister - Jose Socrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa (since March 2005)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
16 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival).
2 Apr - 5 Apr Easter.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labour Day.
3 Jun Corpus Christi.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb * Mardi Gras (Carnival).
22 Apr - 25 Apr Easter.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labour Day.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
23 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are not observed on the following Monday.

Population and Breakdown:
July 2007 estimate - 10,642,836
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 914,480/female 837,525)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,501,206/female 3,551,706)
65 years and above: 17.3% (male 757,220/female 1,080,699)

Median age: 38.8 years (male 36.7 years/female 41 years)
Life expectancy: 77.8 years (male 74.6 years/female 81.36 years)

Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, Protestants 6%

Language: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (locally used official language).

Local Customs:
Smoking is prohibited in public places. In restaurants, you may smoke after finishing your food.
Portuguese lead a leisurely life, politeness is necessary in all walk of life.
Casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear is not acceptable in towns.

Best Time to go: The best season can be in May-June when weather is good; summer rush has not begun, marking with high tariff.


Currency:
1 Euro = 0.67937 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.47195 Euro (EUR)
1 Euro = 1.36801 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.73099 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations:

European Union - No more duty free allowances are allowed in EU countries. Visitors entering from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 liters of beer, 20 liters of fortified wine/and or 90 liters of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries - Visitors above the age 15 may enter Portugal duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a liter of alcohol and 2 liters of wine.

Tipping:
Tipping is indicative; it is up to your discretion to pay.
Porters - 50 cents per bag.
Waiters/Waitress - 10% of the bill value.
Chambermaid - 50 cents per person per day.
Bus Driver - Euro 1-2 per day.
Group Tour Guide - Euro 5 per person.
Taxi driver - 10% of the bill.