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conventional long form:
Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Lisbon. Population: 600,000; 2 million
in Greater Lisbon (2008 estimates).
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).
Description:
Portugal occupies the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula and
shares borders in the north and the east with Spain, while to the
south and west lies the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into
various provinces, including the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the
Azores; the latter lying some 1,220km (760 miles) due west of
Lisbon. The Douro, Guadiana and Tejo (Tagus) rivers flow across the
border from Spain. North Portugal is mountainous, the highest part
being the Serra da Estrela, a popular area for skiing. The vast
plains of the Alentejo region stretch south of Lisbon. A range of
mountains divides the Alentejo from the Algarve, which runs along
the south coast, and is one of the most popular resort areas with
wide sandy beaches and attractive bays.
10.7 million (2008 estimate).
Portuguese. English is
widely spoken within the business community.
Climate:
The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and
fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot
summers. In the south, summers (May to October) are warm with very
little rain except in early spring and autumn.
Economy - overview:
Portugal was traditionally an agrarian economy, but since it joined
the EU in 1986 its industrial and service sectors have grown
considerably by comparison. Agriculture still employs around 10% of
the workforce (unusually high by Western European standards) and
contributes around 8% of GDP, producing wheat, maize, potatoes,
tomatoes, olives, grapes, fish and meat and dairy products.
The manufacturing sector is dominated by the textile and footwear
industries and machinery. Other important products are paper, cork and
other wood products, electrical appliances, chemicals and ceramics.
Portugal joined the Eurozone upon its inauguration in 1999.
Unfortunately, since then, the economy has stagnated - growth averaged
0.7% per year between 2002 and 2006, rising slightly (1.7%) in 2007.
Unemployment stood at around 7.7% and inflation fell slightly to 2.4%.
Economy:
Portugal was traditionally an agrarian economy, but since it
joined the EU in 1986 its industrial and service sectors have grown
considerably by comparison. Agriculture still employs around 10% of
the workforce (unusually high by Western European standards) and
contributes around 8% of GDP, producing wheat, maize, potatoes,
tomatoes, olives, grapes, fish and meat and dairy products.
The manufacturing sector is dominated by the textile and footwear
industries and machinery. Other important products are paper, cork and
other wood products, electrical appliances, chemicals and ceramics.
Portugal joined the Eurozone upon its inauguration in 1999.
Unfortunately, since then, the economy has stagnated - growth averaged
0.7% per year between 2002 and 2006, rising slightly (1.7%) in 2007.
Unemployment stood at around 7.7% and inflation fell slightly to 2.4%.
textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper,
and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine;
tourism
Exports:
Clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals and cork.
Imports:
Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum and
textiles.
• Main trade partners: Spain, Germany, France, Italy and The
Netherlands.
Exchange rates:
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500,
200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1,
and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/227/money/Europe/Portugal.html
GDP :
US$230.5 billion (2007).
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