By Garrett McBroom

Miscellaneous Info.

• Located on the Iberian Peninsula, west of Spain

• Consists of a Mediterranean climate• Capital is Lisbon• Population: 10,707,924• 97% of population are Roman Catholic• Land Area: 92,391 sq. km• Currency: Euro

Culture

• Portugal’s unique music is due to its cultural past. Fado, a type of lyrical music, is described by mournful tunes and lyrics

• Festivals such as the Santos Populares, which occurs in June, celebrates three saints, St.’s Anthony , John, and Peter.

• Futbol, or soccer in the U.S., is one of the most popular sports and Portugal and has been successful in past years.

Geography

• Portugal has a coastline of 943 km.• The north is mainly mountainous with the

interior and south being a plain.• The average temperature is 53-64 ⁰F.• Highest point is Ponto do Pico 2,351 m.

Customs and Traditions

• Regional dances of Portugal play a huge role in the traditions of the Portuguese.

• One custom of Portugal is wearing black for a period of time after the death of a family member.

• Portuguese is the main language spoken, while having 5 different dialects, all are still considered part of this unique Romance language.

Brief History

• Conquered by the Visigoths in the 5th century.• In the 15 and 16th century Portugal was a world

leading exploration government staking claims in South America and Africa

• In the 7 year war Spain and France tried to force Portugal to join a compact.

• In 1975, the third republic implicated a new democratic reformed and much of Portugal’s foreign land was granted independence.