Portugal

Europe
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain. 

38°46′N 9°9′W

President Aníbal Cavaco Silva	Prime Minister José Sócrates

Capital
Lisbon

Government
Parliamentary republic

Religion
Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9%.

Population
11,317,192

Ethnic group
96.87% Portuguese and 3.13% legal immigrants (Cape Verdeans, Brazilians, Ukrainians, Angolans, etc.

National Language                   
Portuguese
          
National Day
10 June (1580) Camoes Day

Anthem
"A Portuguesa"

Currency
Euro (€)

Attractions
Alcobaca Monastery,  Belem Tower,  Douro Valley,  Evora Historic Center,  Jeronimos Monastery,  Madeira Islands,  Obidos Castle & Village,  Queluz Palace,  Sintra 

 

Website     


   

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Belém Tower Belém Tower  or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the Belém district of Lisbon, Portugal. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the nearby Jerónimos Monastery) because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King John II to be both part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The tower was built in the early 16th century and is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, but it also incorporates hints of other architectural styles. The structure was built from lioz limestone and is composed of a bastion and the 30 meter (100 foot),[1] four story tower. It has incorrectly been stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In fact, the tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore.