Portugal
Portuguese Republic
Geography
Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. It borders the Atlantic Ocean, and the area of Portugal is 35,516 sq. miles. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon.
Climate
Landforms
- Minho River- 217 miles
- Tagus River (Tejo River)- 645 miles
- Douro River- 557 miles
- Cantabrian Mountains
Crops
- grain
- potatoes
- tomatoes
- olives
- grapes
- sheep
- cattle
- swine
- poultry
- dairy products
- fish
- olive oil
- barley
- cork
- wood products
- ceramics
- wine
Natural Resources
- fish
- forests
- iron ore
- copper
- zinc
- tin
- tungsten
- silver
- gold
- uranium
- marble
- clay
- gypsum
- salt
- arable land
- hydropower
Religions/Holidays
Achievements
Politics
Government
- parliamentary democracy
- a democratic republic
- there are 230 legislature members
- used to be ruled by dictators, now there are ministers and presidents
- current president is Anibal Antonio Cavaco Silva
- current minister is Pedro Manuel Mamede Passos Coelho
- a term is five years
Economy
Major Imports: $61 billion
- machinery and transport equipment
- chemicals
- petroleum
- textiles
- agricultural products
Major Exports: $57 billion
- clothing and footwear
- machinery
- chemicals
- cork and paper products
- hide
Major Industries
- textiles
- clothing
- footwear
- wood and cork
- paper products
- auto parts
- base metals
- porcelains and ceramics
- glassware
- technology
Style of Living
Dining etiquette
Important Rules
- dress appropriately
- don't talk about business in social situations
- Don't eat until the server says, "Bom apetite"
- always leave food on your plate when you are done
Gift Giving
- Always give the hostess good quality chocolates, flowers, and candy
- gifts are opened when given
- no lilies or chrysanthemums should be given. They are used at funerals
- red flowers signify revolution, so they also shouldn't be given
National Anthem
Types of Food
Pork is very popular, and cooked in many ways. A specialty dish is Roast suckling pig. Another pork dish is pork marinated in wine and topped off with clams.
Seasonal vegetables, fish, and meat are used to make many soups. A popular soup is caldo verde, which has a mashed potato foundation, green Galician cabbage, olive oil and black pudding, or slices of sausage.
Many Portuguese desserts are egg based. They are normally flavored with vanilla or cinnamon. A famous dessert is arroz doce, which is a rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and lemon. Also, they have many types of cake and confectionary specialties. In the north, cakes are often very rich and sugary, whereas in the south, it is based on fig and almonds