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| Portugal | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
In 1990 wheat was the leading Portuguese grain crop, followed by corn, which was grown mainly on the small farms of the north. Rice, although occupying less than one-tenth of the area of either wheat or corn, was a remarkable grain crop. Potatoes and corn silage were found throughout the north. Portugal's leading edible tree crop was olive oil. In spite of the importance of olive oil for the economy and the increasing production of other edible oilseeds, such as safflower and sunflower, Portugal was a net importer of vegetable fats and oils. The nation produced a mixture of horticultural crops, some of which were exported. As an example, Portugal was a leading world exporter of tomato paste.
Although grazing land was scarce, farm animal constituted a remarkable share of total agricultural production. Because of growing domestic demand for animal products and low farm animal productivity, Portugal had to import about 10 % of its meat requirements. Three-fourths of the mainland's milk was produced in the northwest's coastal areas. The mainland's farm animal numbers in 1987 included over 1.3 million head of cattle, over 5 million sheep, nearly 3 million pigs, and 745,000 goats. About 18 million chickens supplied the nation's poultry industry that year.
| Portugal | Communications | Back to Top |
undergoing rapid development in recent years, Portugal's telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and a main line telephone density of 53%
domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations
international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned.
| Portugal | Culture | Back to Top |
As a result of change wrought by the Revolution of 1974, Portugal in the 1990s would be almost unrecognizable to persons who knew the nation twenty or thirty years ago. The Revolution of 1974 set loose social and political forces that the nation had not seen before on such a large scale and which could not be entirely controlled. The revolution, in turn, occurred and had such a profound impact because of other, gradual social pressures that had been building for decades and even centuries. In the mid-1970s, these changes exploded to the surface. In the aftermath of the revolution, as Portuguese society continued to modernize and the nation was admitted as a full member of the European Community, social change continued, but not so frenetically and dramatically as during the revolutionary mid-1970s.
Following the revolution, which led to the establishment of democracy in Portugal, societal pressures continued. Pressures for education, land, jobs, better health care, housing, social equality, and solutions to Portugal's pressing social problems mounted. Portugal remained, even with the economic growth of the 1980s and early 1990s, a poor nation compared to the West European standards. Moreover, rising expectations were threatening to overwhelm the democratic regime's capacities for resolving the problems. Portugal's full economic participation in the EC at the end of 1992, when it would no longer have the protection of high tariff barriers, added to social tensions and uncertainties. Thus, as Portugal began the 1990s, the promise of a new, stable, democratic era of development coexisted with a fear of what the future might bring.
| Portugal | Defence | Back to Top |
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Republican Guard
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,530,466 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,030,759 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 71,404 (2001 est.)
| Portugal | International Disputes | Back to Top |
none
| Portugal | Economy | Back to Top |
Crop yields and animal productivity are well below the EC average because of low agricultural investment, minimal mechanization, little use of fertilizers, and the fragmented land-tenure system. The main crops grown in Portugal are cereals (wheat, barley, corn [maize], and rice), potatoes, grapes (for wine), olives, and tomatoes. Portugal is the world's largest exporter of tomato paste and a leading exporter of wines. These exports help offset the cost of imported wheat and meat.
Portugal remains the least developed nation in Western Europe. Although the Portuguese economy grew by 5.3 % annually from 1965 to 1980, the economic growth rate slowed to less than 1 % during the 1980s; in the time 1990-1999 the gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual average of 2.5 %. The GDP in 1999 was $114 billion. Agriculture, including forestry and fishing, engages 14 % of the working population and accounts for 4 % of the GDP. Chief crops and production figures for 2000 were vegetables such as tomatoes (2.3 million metric tons), fruit such as grapes and olives (1.4 million), root crops such as potatoes (1.3 million), and cereal grains such as maize and wheat (1.5 million). Portugal is one of the world’s leading producers of wine and olive oil. farm animal numbered 1.2 million cattle, 5.8 million sheep, 2.3 million pigs, and 35 million poultry.
Portugal is an upcoming capitalist economy with a per capita GDP two-thirds that of the four big West European economies. The nation qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and joined with 10 other European countries in launching the euro on 1 January 1999. The year 2000 was marked by moderation in growth, inflation, and unemployment. The nation continues to run a sizable trade deficit. The government is working to reform the tax system, to modernize capital plant, and to increase the nation's competitiveness in the increasingly integrated world markets. Growth is expected to fall off slightly in 2001. Improvement in the education area is critical to the long-run catch-up process.
| Portugal | Education | Back to Top |
Even before Portugal emerged as an independent nation in the twelfth century, it had monastic, cathedral, and parish schools. The education provided by these schools was based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, rote memorization, and a deductive system of reasoning. The educational system expanded through the founding of primary and secondary schools in larger settlements and the establishment in 1290 of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in the world. The system was infused with the principles of authority, hierarchy, and discipline. Although local authorities, both municipal and ecclesiastical, had some say about the management of local schools, officials in Lisbon, most of them clerics, determined the curriculum and selected textbooks and instructors. Education was thus firmly under the control of the church and civil authorities. The introduction of the Inquisition in the 1530s served to further "purify" teaching; in 1555 the Jesuits were given much control over education.
Portuguese primary school enrollments were close to 100 % in the early 1990s, and immense strides had been made in eliminating illiteracy, particularly among the young and an around literacy rate of 85 % was achieved among those over age fifteen in 1990. After primary school, school enrollments dropped off sharply. Only 30 % of children attended secondary schools, and only 20 % were listed in the twelfth grade.
As of the early 1990s, Portugal still had an illiteracy rate that ranged between 14 and 20 % according to various studies and estimates, although many of those who could not read were older people. Another serious problem was low school enrollment after the primary cycle, particularly in rural areas, where many children began work at an early age. As of 1987, 87.4 % of Portuguese completed less than the upper level of secondary school, a rate that had improved only slightly in recent decades, and was much inferior to the EC average of 54 %. Facilities and equipment at all levels were often outdated and in short supply. Although the number of school teachers had increased greatly in recent years, teachers were poorly paid, and their overall morale was poor. Many specialists held that the curriculum at the secondary level needed to be revised to make it more revelant in preparing young people for their working lives. In addition to more modern facilities, the universities needed to increase their enrollments and support research more strongly.Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. Secondary education is voluntary.In the 1993-1994 school year Portugal had 12,472 primary schools attended by 929,471 pupils and staffed by 76,444 teachers. The nation’s general and vocational education secondary schools had about 938,700 students.
| Portugal | Government | Back to Top |
National Government: Constitution of 1976 and substantially revised in 1982 and 1989 accomplished system of government, both presidential and parliamentary. Division of administrator power between president and the government (prime minister and his cabinet, the Council of Ministers). Division of legislative power between government and parliament (Assembly of the Republic). Government responsible to parliament, from which prime minister and most cabinet members come. President, government, and parliament have varying degrees of power and determine over each other. President elected every five years in nation-wide vote; Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares elected in 1986 and 1991. Assembly of Parliament, with 230 to 235 members, elected every four years if legislative time completed. Earlier election possible if parliament broken.
Politics: Free and democratic, with mixture of parties articulating wide range of poltical viewpoints. Four main parties consistently in parliament since 1976: Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português--PCP); Portuguese Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Portguesa--PS); Social Democrat Party (Partido Social Democrata--PSD); Social Democratic Center Party (Partido do Centro Democráta--CDS). Political system gradually being controlled by PSD and PS. In 1987 and 1991 national elections, PSD won with slight majorities and formed governments with its leader, Anibal Cavaco Silva, as prime minister. PS secured 29.3 % of the vote in 1991; PCP, 12.2 %; CDS, 4.4 %.
Legal System: An independent judiciary guaranteed by the constitution. Constitution also provides for Constitutional Court to review constitionality of legislation, Supreme Court of Justice to oversee regular courts, both civil and criminal, and Supreme Administratve Court to supervise system of administrative courts. In addition, constitution mandates the appointment of ombudsman to protect rights of Portuguese citizens by investigating their complaints about actions of state authorities.
Local Government and Administration: Constitution provides for a number of administrative regions, but not yet realized. In meantime, mainland separated into eighteen districts, each named after its capital. Districts responsible for police and elections and monitoring local government. Local government managed by 305 municipalities, further separated into about 4,000 parishes. Elections for governing assemblies of municipalities held every four years.
Autonomous Regions and Macau: Archipelagoes of Azores and Madeira enjoyed considerable autonomy since 1976. Each had own assembly; sent members to national parliament; government's representative to each region was minister of the republic. Macau, consisting of peninsula attached to the Chinese mainland and two islands, Portugal's last colony. According to agreement between Lisbon and People's Republic of China, Macau to become part of the PRC in 1999, but to retain its free market economic system.
Foreign Relations: Historically aloof from European affairs except for 1386 Treaty of Windsor with Britain. Neutral in World War II, but permitted Britain and United States military use of the Azores. Since end of World War II, formed many international links. Most notably: a founding member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, joined the United Nations (UN) in 1955, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1961, Council of Europe in 1976, European Community (EC) in 1986, and Western European Union (WEU) in 1988.
| Portugal | History | Back to Top |
The History of Portugal can be separated into seven broad times. The first begins in the Paleolithic time and extends to the formation of Portugal as an independent monarchy. During this time, Lusitania, that portion of the western Iberian Peninsula known today as Portugal, experienced many waves of conquest and settlement by Iberos, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Swabians, Visigoths, and Muslims. Of these successive waves of people, the Romans left the greatest imprint on present Portuguese society.
The sixth, the time of constitutional monarchy, begins with the liberal revolution of 1820, which accomplished in Portugal for the first time a written constitution. This time includes a civil war in which constitutionalists triumphed over absolutists, the winning of freedom by Brazil, and the exploration of Portugal's African possessions. It ends with the collapse of rotativismo in the early twentieth century.
The final time begins in 1910 with the downfall of the monarchy and the establishment of the First Republic. This time includes the corporative republic of António de Oliveira Salazar; the collapse of that regime on April 25, 1974; and the establishment of Portugal's present democratic regime, the Second Republic.
| Portugal | Introduction | Back to Top |
Portugal, republic in south-western Europe, situated in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered on the north and east by Spain and on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores and Madeira Islands in the Atlantic are considered integral parts of the republic. The total area of metropolitan Portugal, including the Azores (2,335 sq km/902 sq mi) and the Madeira Islands (796 sq km/307 sq mi), is 92,082 sq km (35,553 sq mi). Portugal has one overseas territory, Macau (Macao), in eastern Asia near Hong Kong. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon.
Official Name- Republic of Portugal| Portugal | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Portugal | Languages | Back to Top |
Roman Catholicism is the faith of more than 94 % of the Portuguese people. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and some Protestant churches have been accomplished. The official language of the nation is Portuguese.
| Portugal | Legal | Back to Top |
Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations vote: 18 years of age; universal administrator branch: chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera GUTERRES (since 28 October 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Jorge SAMPAIO re-elected president; % of vote - Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral (Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 October 1999 (next to be held by NA October 2003) election results: % of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 115, PSD 81, PCP 15, PP 15, PEV 2, The Left Bloc 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)
| Portugal | Life | Back to Top |
The patricentric and nuclear family traditionally served as the norm and the ideal in Portugal. Until the constitution of 1976 was published, the father was seen as the head of the family, and his wife and children were obliged to recognize his authority. He, in turn, was obliged by law to support and protect his family. While the men worked outside the home, women were expected to care for the children and manage household affairs. Marriage was considered permanent; divorce was virtually unknown. During the time of Salazar's rule from 1928 to 1968, the family was even seen as the primary institution of politics; voting was organized under the regime, the Estado Novo -New State, on a family basis--only "heads of households" could vote.
Still, some characteristics of Portuguese family life remained constant. Marriage and kinship networks in Portugal were often based on social and political criteria as much as on love or natural attraction. To a degree that often surprised outsiders, even in the early 1990s many Portuguese marriages were arranged. For the peasant class, considerations of land were often most valuable in determining marriage candidates. Marriages might be arranged to consolidate property holdings or to tie two families together rather than result from the affection two people might feel for one another. Middle-class families often had status and prestige considerations in mind when they married. Among the upper classes, marriage might be for the purposes of joining two businesses, two landholdings, or two political clans.
| Portugal | organization | Back to Top |
AfDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
| Portugal | People | Back to Top |
Although population estimates are available for earlier years, the first official Portuguese census was taken in 1864. It showed a population of around 4.3 million. Thereafter, the population increased slowly at rates often well under 1 % per year. Only during the 1930s and 1940s did the population increase at over 1 % per year. During the 1960s, the population actually fell by over 300,000 and in 1970 amounted to more than 8.5 million. During the early 1970s, population continued to fall or was stagnant. This demographic trend was the result of widespread emigration. Many Portuguese left their nation in these years to find employment abroad or to avoid military service in the wars Portugal was fighting in its colonies in Africa.
western Iberia has been occupied for a long time, comparatively few human remains of the Paleolithic time have been found. Neolithic and Bronze Age discoveries are more common, among them many dolmens. Some of the earliest permanent settlements were the northern castros, hill villages first built by Neolithic farmers who began clearing the forests. Incoming peoples—Phoenicians, Greeks, and Celts—intermingled with the settled inhabitants, and Celticized natives occupied the fortified castros. For 200 years these were centres of resistance to the Roman legions. consequently the Romans, Suebi, Visigoths, Moors, and Jews exerted determine on the territory. Portugal's situation at the western extremity of Europe made it a gathering place for invaders by land, and its long coastline invited settlement by seafarers.
| Portugal | Politics | Back to Top |
The Greens or PEV [leader NA]; Popular Party or PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Portuguese Communist Party/United Democratic Coalition or PCP/CDU [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Antonio GUTERRES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader vacant]; The Left Bloc [no leader]
| Portugal | Provinces | Back to Top |
18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
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| Portugal | Time | Back to Top |
| Portugal | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Countries Currency Unit | PTE/Unit | Units/PTE | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 2.97330 | 0.336327 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 230.172 | 0.00434458 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 78.1568 | 0.0127948 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 122.800 | 0.00814332 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 14.5696 | 0.0686361 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 230.172 | 0.00434458 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 115.664 | 0.00864571 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 4.96982 | 0.201215 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 230.172 | 0.00434458 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 98.9987 | 0.0101011 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 328.193 | 0.00304698 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 102.954 | 0.00971305 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 144.294 | 0.00693032 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.350631 | 2.85200 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 27.8073 | 0.0359618 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 350.338 | 0.00285439 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 6.49305 | 0.154011 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 26.9868 | 0.0370552 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 85.2488 | 0.0117304 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 49.6863 | 0.0201263 |
| EUR | Euro | 200.482 | 0.00498798 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 102.985 | 0.00971013 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 33.7187 | 0.0296572 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 30.5633 | 0.0327190 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 102.505 | 0.00975564 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 69,568.42 | 0.0000143743 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.588355 | 1.69965 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 29.5107 | 0.0338860 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.824470 | 1.21290 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 2.30186 | 0.434431 |
| INR | India Rupees | 4.71625 | 0.212033 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.0234285 | 42.6830 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 254.560 | 0.00392835 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 48.5293 | 0.0206061 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.103540 | 9.65807 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 4.83453 | 0.206845 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 1.73518 | 0.576308 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 324.643 | 0.00308031 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.152029 | 6.57769 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 4.96982 | 0.201215 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 60.5875 | 0.0165051 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 25.5453 | 0.0391461 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 101.387 | 0.00986321 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 25.9974 | 0.0384654 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 90.9748 | 0.0109921 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 3.83300 | 0.260892 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 4.51140 | 0.221660 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 119,454.11 | 0.00000837142 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 55.9789 | 0.0178639 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.00698867 | 143.089 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 7.39627 | 0.135203 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 61.3782 | 0.0162924 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 1,065.66 | 0.000938386 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 124.944 | 0.00800359 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 4.80024 | 0.208323 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 20.2656 | 0.0493447 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.174266 | 5.73834 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 1.20492 | 0.829930 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 286.982 | 0.00348454 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.885276 | 1.12959 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 22.2154 | 0.0450139 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 136.904 | 0.00730439 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 6.58575 | 0.151843 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 5.28502 | 0.189214 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 37.6098 | 0.0265888 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000171246 | 5,839.54 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.249972 | 4.00045 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.0514926 | 19.4203 |
| Portugal : Geographic coordinates | 39 30 N, 8 00 W |
| Portugal : Population growth rate | 0.18% |
| Portugal : Birth rate | 11.51 births/1,000 population |
| Portugal : Death rate | 10.21 deaths/1,000 population |
| Portugal : People living with HIV/AIDS | 36,000 |
| Portugal : Independence | 1140 |
| Portugal : National holiday | Portugal Day, 10 June |
| Portugal : Constitution | 25 April 1976 |
| Portugal : GDP | purchasing power parity - $159 billion |
| Portugal : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $15,800 |
| Portugal : Electricity - consumption | 37.915 billion kWh |
| Portugal : Exports | $26.1 billion clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides |
| Portugal : Imports | $41 billion machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products |
| Portugal : Telephones | 5.3 million |
| Portugal : Mobile cellular | 3,074,194 |
| Portugal : Radio broadcast stations | AM 47, FM 172 , shortwave 2 |
| Portugal : Radios | 3.02 million |
| Portugal : Television broadcast stations | 62 |
| Portugal : Televisions | 3.31 million |
| Portugal : Internet country code | .pt |
| Portugal : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 16 |
| Portugal : Internet users | 700,000 |
| Portugal : Railways | 2,850 km |
| Portugal : Highways | 68,732 km |
| Portugal : Waterways | 820 km |
| Portugal : Pipelines | crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas 700 km |
| Portugal : Ports and harbors | Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo |
| Portugal : Merchant marine | 158 ships |
| Portugal : Airports | 66 |
| Portugal : Heliports | N/A |
| Portugal : Military branches | Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Republican Guard |
| Portugal : Military expenditures | $2.458 billion |