Ministry of Foreign Affairs Embassy of Portugal to Turkey | ANKARA
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		Information taken from the website www.visitportugal.com
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		Porto and North >
4. Travel Advice		It was in Porto and the north that Portugal came into being as a country, which is why the region has such a rich and fascinating heritage. This is a mountainous area with rivers, natural parks and steep, sloping hillsides covered with leafy vegetation and the famous vineyards which produces the unique Port wine.The granite from its mountains was used to build many of the region’s religious and historical monuments, such as the unpretentious Romanesque chapels and Baroque churches. History surrounds you when you visit the region’s castles such as the Castle of Guimarães that was the birthplace of the nation’s founder and first King, Dom Afonso Henriques. And at the many countless manor houses and palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, visitors are received with an aristocratic display of hospitality. The fact remains that the ancient city of Porto gave its name to both Port wine and to the country of Portugal. Much of its heritage is based on shipping and trade, making it a bustling and passionate city. Porto is also classified by UNESCO as world heritage site. Perhaps these are among others the reasons why Porto finds its way into the hearts of its visitors.
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5. Turkey
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6. Portugal
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Touristic Map of Portugal
		Centre of Portugal >
		Portugal is a mountainous country with an unpolluted environment. Its pure and well preserved landscape boasts dense forests and rocky outcrops. The region is filled with the history of fierce battles and stories of Portugal’s roots before it became an independent country in the 12th century. Get to know the historic villages such as Monsanto. Get to know the cities too, such as Guarda and Viseu, dominated by the traditional stone architecture of the Centre of Portugal. Also in the Centre of Portugal is the ancient city of Coimbra, where Portugal’s oldest university and one of the most ancient in Europe is to be found with its fabulous baroque library. The Centre of Portugal, with its castles and monasteries, is a region of warm hospitality, offering visitors genuine village tourism. The charm of the people is to be seen in the authenticity of their rituals, and their popular religious festivities, such as Easter. But it is also found in their cuisine, with its cheeses, sausages and mountain honey.
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Facts about Portugal
Official Name Portuguese Republic State Foundation 1139 First Republic 1910 National Symbols National Flag and National Anthem Language Portuguese (and Mirandês). Portuguese is also the official language in 7 other countries and is spoken by more than 200 million people. Constitutional System President of the Republic (elected every 5 years), Parliament (elected every 4 years), Government (based on the election of the Parliament), Courts (Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Justice, Specialized Superior Courts, Second and First Level Courts. Political Parties represented in the Parliament Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party, Portuguese Communist Party, People’s Party, Left Bloc, Ecologist Party (The Greens) Territorial Divisions two Autonomous Regions (Azores and Madeira) and 18 districts in the Continent. Capital Lisbon Area 92 152 km2 Population 10,5 million (2004) Active Population 5,5 million (2004) Density per km2 114 (2004) Biggest Religion Roman Catholic Currency Euro GDP 155 131 million EUR (2006) GDP per capita 14 654 EUR (2006) Weather (average temperatures) Coast and Archipelagos Winter: 12º; Summer: 21º Interior and mountain areas Winter: 5º; Summer: 25º
		Lisboa Region >
		Lisbon, Portugal’s bright capital, spreads along the north bank of the River Tagus, which meets the ocean here. One of the few European capitals with both a river and a coastline, Lisbon, has Praça do Comércio square as its main meeting area, one of the biggest squares in Europe. The city has always been ready to welcome new visitors and to bid a fond farewell to those departing, something that was never more true than when saying goodbye to sailors at the time of the great Portuguese Maritime Discoveries. This is why there are many important Manueline monuments shining in the light of Lisbon and its surrounding region, such as Torre de Belém and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The modern leisure area of the Parque das Nações proves that Lisbon still maintains its close links with the river today. Here, for example, you will find the distinctive mark of Álvaro Siza Vieira on one of the buildings that hosted the last world exposition of the 20th century, dedicated to the theme of the oceans. In contrast to this, do not miss the picturesque mediaeval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, above which stands the St George Castle. This castle, matched by Bairro Alto on the other hill, leads down to the downtown City known as Baixa Pombalina. Lisbon is also at the centre of a region rich in diversity. Just outside the city are the seaside elegant resorts of Estoril and Cascais and the romantic hills of the Serra de Sintra, where the perfect bond between palaces and nature led to the area being classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It is the sea, the climate and the stunning nature that give this region its peculiar energy. Its many parks and nature reserves encourage visitors to spend time in the open air, enjoying the peace and quiet of a round of golf or the adrenaline buzz of surfing. To end your day you could experience the traditional and relaxed atmosphere of a Fado House. Or, if you’ve still got enough energy left, pop into the various discos along the banks of the river and dance until the early hours.
		Alentejo >
		Golden plains that disappear out of sight combine with the sun, beaches and the heat to impose their own slow, steady rhythm. This is Alentejo. Inland, the vast golden wheat fields undulate in the wind; along the coast, unspoilt beaches look rugged and unexplored. The open, ample landscape is peppered with cork-oaks or olive trees that have withstood the ravages of time. Occasionally sturdy fortress walls rise up from hills, as at Marvão or Monsaraz, or you’ll see just a simple dolmen reminding you of the magic of the place. Atop small hills stand white one-storey farmsteads, while the castles are reminders of the battles and conquests that once took place here. The patios and gardens bear witness to the influence of the Arabs and Romans, who helped to shape the people and the nature. But don’t travel northwards or southwards without exploring the region’s coastline. There the landscape consists of high sheer cliffs sheltering tiny beaches. And there are also the sweet smells of the countryside, the herbs and spices used to season fish and seafood dishes. Here the time passes slowly, because Alentejo follows the rhythm of the land itself.
Pictures of Portugal
		Algarve >
		Portugal’s southernmost coastline, where the sea is warm and calm. The fashionable Algarve has so much to offer. The sea is warm, the climate is wonderful and the holiday villages, hotels and luxury resorts are superb places to stay. And the small fishing villages - such as Santa Luzia, in Tavira - and the small port of Sagres are idyllic and peaceful. Algarve’s beaches meanwhile are among the best in the world. And there is so much variety to chose from - hidden beaches, family beaches, beaches where the sea is calm and beaches that are ideal for water sports. Whichever one you go for, there is always fun in abundance. Don’t forget the golf! Algarve has 30 golf courses and some are among the best in Europe. They will tempt amateurs and professionals alike.
Pena Palace in Sintra
Mafra Palace
		Azores >
		Think of a place to the west, where the nature and vegetation are pure and untouched, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Do you know where we’re talking about? The answer is the Azores Archipelago, which offers you this and much more besides. The Azores Archipelago is composed by nine different islands of adventure, nine delightful surprises. You can see dolphins and whales frolicking in the sea or volcanic landscapes covered in green. There are the stunning, lilac-coloured hydrangeas that provide hedges for the meadows; the blue and green lakes; the craters of extinct volcanoes and the steam rising from the land. The volcanic activity here means that you can even have your meal cooked under the ground! Inland you can go mountain climbing and walking through the countryside. Or you can stick to the coast and go diving and swimming. On these amazing islands it feels as if time has stood still. All of the islands have something to offer. Take Pico island, for instance. Classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO it boasts an amazing mountain, dramatic cliffs and splendid vineyards formed from black basalt. And of course, you’ll want to discover the hot waters and the steam escaping from the vents of the volcanoes on the island of São Miguel.
Queluz National Palace
Lisbon
		Madeira >
		Are you looking for a few days of relaxation and comfortable living? Then catch a plane to the Archipelago of Madeira and Porto Santo Islands. Madeira is a refined and sophisticated holiday destination, set in a spectacular landscape with a wonderful climate. Madeira is a tropical island. The Laurisilva Forest, in the Madeira Natural Park, is the largest evergreen forest in the world - a fact that has earned it classification as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Elsewhere the exotic flowers and fruits compete with one another in their variety and colour. And there’s the sea, always blue and visible from wherever you are.
Oriente Station - Lisbon
Parque das Nações - Lisbon
Golf Course - Cascais
Jerónimos Monastery
Lisbon
Azores, São Miguel Island
Funchal, Madeira
Pictures taken by Jose Manuel, Antonio Sacchetti, Paulo Magalhães and Other.