Quick Facts About Portugal
- Official name: The Portuguese Republic
- Independence date: December 1, 1640 – day when independence from Spanish rule was declared. Portugal Day is June 10th and commemorates the death of Portugeuse national hero Luis de Camoes in 1580
- Member of the EU?: Yes
- Capital: Lisbon
- Currency: The Euro
- Power Adapter: Type C or Type F
- Population: 10.2 million (2024 est.)
- Yearly tourist visits: 30 million (2023 est.)
- Best known for: Beaches, seafood, port wine, Iberian towns
A very short history of Portugal:
As with much of Europe, recorded history in Portugal starts with the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 3rd Century BC. That’s not to say the area was not inhabited prior to the Romans, but that much of that history is lost. Rome established two main provinces that encompassed Portugal: Lusitania in the south and Gallaecia in the north. Much of modern Portugal has ties back to the Roman period, including the language (basis is Vulgar Latin), wine in Alentejo, and the capital city of Lisbon, which was founded by the Romans. With the decline of Roman power and influence, Visigoths established control over Portugal and would dominate the area until the early 700s.
In 711, the Umayyad Caliphate landed in Gibraltar and began a 7 year campaign which resulted in the entire Iberian Peninsula being brought under Muslim control. In 722, the Christian Pelagius was proclaimed King of Asturias in the far northern region of Iberia, from which he was tasked with reconquering Iberia for the Christians. Portugal traces their national origin to the Battle of Sao Mamede in 1128, in which the future Alfonso I defeated the Moors and proclaimed himself Prince of Portugal, later assuming the title of King in 1143. The Algarve, the southern most region of Portugal, was finally reconquered in 1249 and the capital was moved to Lisbon in 1255.
Portugal became a world empire in the 15th Century, when they began to dominate the seas and begin world explorations. In the late 15th Century, Portugal became the first European empire to reach India via sea, going around the Cape of Good Hope at the bottom of Africa. By the late 16th Century, the Portuguese Empire had reached it’s height, dominating parts of the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In 1578, the King of Portugal died without an heir, setting off a succession crisis which resulted in Spanish rule from 1580-1640. During this period, Portuguese power declined significantly, even after independence was reestablished from 1640. Brazil, the “crowned jewel” of the Portuguese Empire, declared independence in 1822, which essentially ended the Empire as a true world power.
Much of the 20th Century was a tumultuous time in Portugal, characterized by a few different revolutions and governments, wars in their remaining colonies, and delayed economic growth. However, the second half of the century featured incredible growth and advancement in prosperity, as Portugal has made rapid strides to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Today, it is a charming country that should be at the top of your list of places to visit!
Check out our 15 day trip to Portugal (Azores, Lisbon, Porto) and Spain to help you plan your next trip!
