Interesting Facts About Portugal
Portugal is a small country in the Iberian Peninsula, but it is full of interesting facts and stories. From its rich culture to its unique landscape, Portugal has a lot to offer. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Portugal that you may not know.
1. Portugal was the first country in the world to abolish life imprisonment in 1867.
2. Portugal was the first modern-day country to have a female Prime Minister, Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo, in 1979.
3. Portugal has the oldest borders in Europe, which have been unchanged since 1179.
4. Portugal is the world’s oldest country in terms of nationhood, with the same borders and name since 1143.
5. Portugal has the oldest continuous diplomatic relationship with Japan, which started in 1609.
6. Portugal has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in Europe, with a total of 14.
7. Portuguese is spoken by more than 250 million people worldwide.
8. The Portuguese language is the sixth most spoken language in the world.
9. Portuguese is the official language in 8 countries, including Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Mozambique, and East Timor.
10. Portugal has the most Nobel Prize winners in the Portuguese language, with 4 Nobel laureates.
11. Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula.
12. The country is bordered by Spain in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
13. Portugal is the second smallest country in Europe, covering an area of 92,212 km².
14. Portugal has a long coastline of 1,793 km.
15. The highest point in Portugal is the peak of Mount Pico in the Azores, which reaches a height of 2,351 meters.
16. Portugal has one of the most diverse climates in Europe, ranging from temperate in the north to subtropical in the south.
17. Portugal is home to the largest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva reservoir.
18. Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork, producing more than 50% of the world’s cork.
19. Portugal is one of the world’s top producers of olive oil.
20. Portugal has one of the highest densities of castles and fortresses in Europe, with more than 30 castles and fortresses.
21. Portugal is known for its distinctive cuisine, which is heavily influenced by the country’s seafood and wine.
22. Portugal is one of the world’s top producers of wine, with over 500 different varieties.
23. The country is home to the world-famous port wine, which is produced in the Douro Valley.
24. Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork stoppers, producing more than 70% of the world’s cork stoppers.
25. Portugal is the world’s largest producer of bacalhau (salted cod), producing more than 400,000 tons of bacalhau annually.
26. Portugal is home to the world’s oldest restaurant, the Solar dos Presuntos, which opened in 1784.
27. Portugal is home to some of the world’s oldest wine cellars, with some of them dating back to the 17th century.
28. The famous pastel de nata (custard tart) was created by monks in the 18th century in the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.
29. The Portuguese are some of the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, consuming an average of 4.2 cups per day.
30. The famous Portuguese egg tart, pastel de nata, was invented in 1837 in a Lisbon convent.
Portugal is a small but fascinating country with a rich history and culture. From its long history and unique landscape to its cuisine and wine, Portugal has a lot to offer. We hope you have enjoyed learning these 30 interesting facts about Portugal.
