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Portugal is located in southwest Europe and has an area of 92,212km2, inhabited by 10,347,892 people. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Spain, divided between a continental part and two autonomous regions - the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. The name Portugal comes from the second largest city in the country, Porto, whose Latin name was Portus Cale.
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Regions of Portugal |
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Region |
Curiosity |
Some of the main cities |
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North |
Most populous region of Portugal |
Porto, Guimarães, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Bragança, Vila Nova de Gaia, Barcelos, Lamego, Penafiel, Póvoa de Varzim and Chaves. |
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Center |
2nd largest region in Portugal, in terms of area |
Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Aveiro, Óbidos, Covilhã, Fátima, Ílhavo, Caldas da Rainha, Pombal, Viseu, Ovar, Évora, Fundão and Leiria. |
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South |
Almost 300 days of sunshine a year |
Algarve: Faro, Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Tavira, Lagoa and Vilamoura; Beja. |
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Madeira |
3 islands and 2 islets, only two inhabited |
Islands: Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and Selvagens. |
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Azores |
More than 20 species of whales can be seen |
Islands: São Miguel, Terceira, São Jorge, Santa Maria, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo. |
The highest mountain in Portugal is the Pico Mountain (2351 m) and is located in the Azores, on Pico Island. The highest in mainland is located in Serra da Estrela (1993 m), where the Mondego and Zêzere rivers are also born. In addition to these two, the river Sado and the river Vouga make their entire journey in national territory. However, there are other main rivers, namely the Douro, Minho, Guadiana and Tagus, which start in Spain and flow into our country.
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Mediterranean Climate |
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Temperature average in the North |
16ºC |
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Temperature average in the center |
18ºC |
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Temperature average in the south |
19ºC |
| Hottest months | From june to september |
| Coldest months | From october to march |
In addition to the differences marked in the thermometer, Portugal is also marked by a wide range of local traditions, from arts and crafts to gastronomy, which differs from north to south of the country. For all these qualities Portugal has been chosen as one of the best European destinations, and in 2021 the Algarve was considered the best beach destination in Europe, Madeira revalidated its title of best island in Europe, the Azores kept the Best Tourism and Adventure Destination and Paiva Walkways won the best Adventure Tourism Attraction at the World Travel Awards.
