Portugal formally called as the Portuguese Republic is a nation located in Europe’s southwestern part on the peninsula of Iberia. The country is bordered in the north as well as east by Spain, south by the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira and the Azores archipelagos also belong to Portugal. The nation derived its name from Porto, the second biggest city.

Right from the prehistoric period, the land area under the present day Portugal was constantly occupied by inhabitants such as the Lusitanians, Celts (Gallaeci), etc. The land area was later combined with the Roman Republic and the German natives like the Swabians, Suebi, Visigoths, and the Vandals occupied it.

During the nineteenth century, the global status of Portugal began to get significantly minimized because of the Brazil’s independence, its biggest colony.

At present Portugal is an urbanized country having much more higher economy and also an elevated human Development Index. Portugal is a constituent of the United Nations, European Union. It also has the credit of being one of members to found the NATO, OECD, Organization of Ibero-American States, , the Euro zone , Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Schengen Agreement..

Capital: Lisbon

Independence: 1939(the conservative Independence date)

Language: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (acknowledged regional language)

Currency: Euro (€)

Religion: Roman Catholic (84.5%),other Christian beliefs (2.2%), non religious (9%), the rest of the population belong to Muslim, Mormon, Sikh, Hindu, Jehovah's Witnesses ,Christian Orthodox, Buddhist, Baha'i, and Jewish communities.

History

Portugal derives its name from the ancient town of Portus Cale. During the period of Reconquista, a Middle age spanning 800 years (out of which 539 years were in Portugal), the Christens regained control of the Peninsula of Iberia from the Moorish and Muslim dominance. This lead to the creation of the First County of Portugal in the year 868.

Portugal in the year1415 conquered Ceuta, one of the primary abroad colonies. Ceuta was a North America’s prosperous Islamic center.

In 1948, the Portuguese explorer Vasco ad Gama landed in India, and this facilitated in providing economic affluence for Portugal.

The Portuguese emperor Dom Carlos I and the heir apparent to the throne Prince Royal Dom Luís Filipe, was killed in Lisbon. Under the slain king’s rule the nation became bankrupt for two times, once on 14 June 1892, and on 10 May 1902, leading to disturbances in economy, social turmoil, protest rebellion.

In the October revolution on 1519, the last king of Portugal was overthrown. The system of Monarchy was abolished and republicanism was restored.

Portugal was one of the five nations in Europe to stay neutral during the Second World War.