Flag of Portugal
Geography and People
Portugal is a beautiful country in southwestern Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula. It sits right next to Spain and faces the Atlantic Ocean. This nation matches the description perfectly: it has an area of about 92,090 square kilometres, which makes it slightly smaller than Hungary (Hungary covers around 93,030 square kilometers). Its population is roughly 10.2 to 10.4 million people (depending on the exact year), which is a bit larger than Hungary’s population of about 9.6 million.
Portugal has a long coastline stretching around 850 km along the mainland (though the total including islands is much longer). The northern coast is often rocky with dramatic cliffs, while the southern part, especially the Algarve region, has fertile lands, golden beaches, and warmer weather. Most Portuguese people live near the coast because that’s where the biggest cities like Lisbon (the capital) and Porto are located, and the sea has always been important for fishing, trade, and daily life.
The country is strongly connected to the Roman Catholic faith—about eight out of ten people (around 80-85%) are Roman Catholic. This religion has shaped Portuguese culture, holidays, and traditions for centuries, from beautiful churches to festivals like Festa de São João.
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History and Culture
One of the most charming spots in Portugal is Livraria Bertrand in the Chiado neighborhood of Lisbon. Opened in 1732, it holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest operating bookstore. Imagine walking into a shop that’s been selling books for almost 300 years—it’s full of history, wooden shelves, and the smell of old pages. Writers, poets, and book lovers have visited it for generations.
Portugal is also a paradise for surfers! With powerful Atlantic waves, places like Peniche, Nazaré (famous for giant waves), and Ericeira offer some of the best surfing in Europe. People from all over the world come here to ride the waves.
A long time ago, Portugal was one of the greatest empires in the world. During the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama sailed to India, Brazil, Africa, and beyond, creating colonies across continents. But over time, the empire shrank. In 1910, Portugal ended its monarchy and became a republic after a revolution.
Today, Portugal is known for many things, including its football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players ever. Born in Madeira (an island that belongs to Portugal), he has won many awards and brought pride to his country.
Portugal blends old history with modern life—ancient castles, delicious food like pastéis de nata (custard tarts), beautiful tiles on buildings, and friendly people. It’s a small but proud nation with a big story to tell!
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