Portugal - Mainland - More Information
This fascinating country has the oldest borders in Europe and an exceptional range of landscapes just a short distance away from each other. Situated in the South-West of Europe, the Portuguese have a unique cultural heritage where tradition and modernity blend together in perfect harmony. Its superb cuisine, fine wines and welcoming locals make it a charming place to visit.
Portugal became a member of the European Union in 1986 and also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, both autonomous regions with their own regional governments. From a Latin root, Portuguese is spoken by about 250 million people in every continent, and is the 5th most spoken language. English is widely spoken throughout Portugal.
Geography
Portugal is at the south-west point of Europe and includes the Azores and Madeira archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a long 1215km border with Spain to the east and an 832km Atlantic Coastal border to the west.
Climate
The climate in Portugal varies
considerably from one region to another and is influenced by the latitude and
proximity to the sea, which offers mild winters, especially in the Algarve.
The summers are hot and dry,
especially in the inland areas. Temperatures are slightly lower in the coastal
areas, because of the sea.
There are often warm, sunny days
in autumn. Nice weather at the beginning of November is often called "St.
Martin’s Summer" as this saint’s day is on 11 November.
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