Portugal Country Information
Background:
Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
| Capital |
Lisbon |
| Largest City |
Lisbon |
| Official languages |
Portuguese |
| Government |
Democratic |
| Area... |
|
|
Total |
92,391 km˛ (109th) (Est.) |
| Population... |
|
| 2006 Est. |
10,605,870 (76th) |
| GDP (PPP)... |
|
| Total (2005 Est) |
$204.4 billion (41st) |
| Per Capita (2005 Est) |
| Currency |
Euro (€)(EUR) |
| Population below poverty line |
Not Available |
| Time Zone... |
WET, UTC |
| Summer (DST) |
EST (UTC+1) |
| 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 |
| Calling code |
+351 | |
