More Information about Portugal

With its 10,813,834 people, Portugal is the 79th largest country in the world by population. It is the 111th largest country in the world by area with 92,090 square kilometers.

Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Reading about Portugal

Check out the recommended reading list below for great sources of information on Portugal