LocationWestern Europe.
Area92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).
Population10.6 million (2006 estimate).
Population Density114.8 per sq km.
CapitalLisbon.
Population: 600,000; 1.9 million in Greater Lisbon (2006 estimates).
GovernmentRepublic since 1910.
Head of State: President Anibal Cavaco Silva since 2006.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jose Socrates since 2005.
Recent history: The Socialist Party headed by Prime Minister Jose Socrates was elected into power in February
2005, following the dissolution of parliament by President Jorge Sampaio the previous autumn. On taking office, Mr Socrates said his priority would be to encourage economic growth and stem the rising unemployment. Anibal Cavaco Silva succeeded President Sampaio in January 2006. Mr Silva, a former prime minister, is the first center-right politician to be president since the coup of 1974. Portugal has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in Europe in recent years, with recent initiatives including the commissioning of a solar energy station in 2005 that will power 21,000 homes and signing up to a wind power project in 2006 that will bring green energy to 750,000 households.
LanguagePortuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.
ReligionRoman Catholic.
TimeGMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 230 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.
TelephoneCountry code: 351. There are call boxes in most villages and all towns; there are also public telephones in many cafes and bars, from which international calls may be made.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage exists across the whole country.
InternetThere are Internet cafes in all urban areas, and some post offices offer Internet facilities. Wi-Fi access is available in various hotels and public buildings.
MediaPublic TV and radio services are operated by
Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP). Today, Portugal’s commercial stations provide tough competition for the public broadcaster.
PostAirmail to European destinations from continental Portugal and the Azores takes three days; from Madeira, up to five days. Post office (
correios) hours: usually Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Main post offices have longer hours and some are also open on Saturday and Sunday. The post office at Lisbon Airport is open 24 hours a day.
PressEach region has its own Portuguese-language dailies.
The Portugal News is an English-language newspaper published in print and online. Portugese dailies include
Diario Noticias, Publico and
Expresso.
RadioRádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) is Portugal’s public broadcasting organization. It operates public radio networks in the country.
Radio Comercial and
Radio Clube Portugues are two of the commercial channels.
Radio Renascenca is very popular and owned by the Roman Catholic Church. Around 300 local and regional radio stations operate in Portugal.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival).
6 Apr Good Friday.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labor Day.
7 Jun Corpus Christi.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival).
24 Mar Good Friday.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labor Day.
22 May Corpus Christi.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
NoteHolidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are
not observed on the following Monday.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the UK11 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PP, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5331.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1730.
Portuguese Consulate General in the UK3 Portland Place, London W1B 1HR, UK
Tel: (020) 7291 3770
or 09065 508 948 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website:
www.secomunidades.pt/londresOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1330, appointment only (closed UK and Portuguese public holidays).
Portuguese National Tourist Office in the UKPortuguese Embassy, 11 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PP, UK
Tel: 0845 355 1212 (brochure request and information service; local call rate).
Website:
www.visitportugal.com Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the USA2012 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 328 8610.
Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office in the USA590 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA
Tel: (646) 723 0200/99.
Website:
www.visitportugal.com
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