Portugal

Portugal is a costal country set in the Iberian Peninsula that has a population of around 10.2 million people. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon, which has a population of around 550 thousand people.

The main languages of Portugal are Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. The county is bordered by Spain to the North and East, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the West and South.

The country is a semi-presidential republic. The people can vote who is the president and who is the prime minister, both of which control the republic together.

Situated in central Portugal, Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in Portugal, it is part of the Sistema Central range. Its highest point, Torre, is 1,993 meters above sea level.

The Tagus River is the longest river in Portugal. It flows from east Portugal into the west and eventually exits into the Atlantic Ocean. It is around 1,007 km long

Some other important physical features of Portugal are the coastlines in the south and west of the country, the mountains in the north and east, rolling plains to the south, and plateaus both in the north and in the south.

Some agricultural produce in Portugal are cereals (wheat, barley, corn, rice), potatoes, grapes, olives, tomatoes, figs, citrus, bananas, pineapple.

From their forests they use cork, resins, pine and eucalyptus timber.

Near the coast and in the North Atlantic, sardines, anchovies, tuna, and codfish are caught.

Cheese, milk, pork, beef, and wine are produced in Portugal.

A few foods made in Portugal include Pastel De Nata (Portuguese custard tarts), Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), piri-piri chicken, and Caldo Verde (shredded kale, onions, potatoes, garlic, and sausage soup).

Many animals can be found in Portugal, these include Portuguese ibex (mountain goats), Red squirrels, Cantabrian brown bears, Egyptian vultures, Red deer, Red foxes, etc...

When Portugal used to be the major naval superpower in Europe, they established colonies in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and even India.

The Portuguese climate is subtropical oceanic in the north, and in the center and south it is a Mediterranean climate. In the winter, the temperatures are usually about 10 to 12.5 °C. In the summer, the temperatures are usually 20 to 25 °C.

A few historical landmarks in Portugal include:

• Castelo de São Jorge is a historic castle in Lisbon, located in the district of Santa Maria Maior. 

• Fortress São João Baptista das Berlengas is a fortress located on the biggest island of the Berlengas.

• Mosteiro da Batalha is a sizeable convent in the district of Batalha.