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Government. Portugal is a parliamentary republic.  

Administrative division. Portugal is divided into 18 districts.

Capital. The capital is Lisbon.

Area:  92 080 sq km.

Population: 10,10 million.

Ethnic groups: 95.9% Portuguese, 4.1% (Brazilians, Capeverdeans, Ukrainians, Russians, other minorities).

Languages: Portuguese.

Religion. 84.5% of the population are Roman Catholic and 2.2% being other christian faiths.

Currency: Euro.

Calling code: +351.

Geography. Portugal is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Located in southwestern Europe, Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.

Climate. The climate can be classified as Mediterranean type. Portugal is one of the warmest European countries, the annual temperature averages in mainland Portugal are 13 °C (55 °F) in the north and 18 °C (64 °F) in the south and it is over 20 °C (68°F) on the warmest spots, like south coast of Madeira island. The Madeira and Azores Atlantic archipelagos have a narrower temperature range. Extreme temperatures occur in the mountains of Northeastern parts of the country in winter (where they may fall to -15 °C) and Southeastern parts in summer.

Flora and Fauna. Climate and geographical diversity shape the Portuguese Flora and Fauna. Due to economic reasons the pine tree, the chestnut tree, the cork oak, the holm oak, and the eucalyptus are very widespread.

Mammalian fauna is diverse and includes the fox, badger, Iberian lynx, Iberian wolf, wild goat, wild cat, hare, weasel, polecat, mongoose, civet, brown bear and many others. Portugal is an important stopover place for migratory birds, in places such as Saint Vicent Cape or Monchique mountain, where thousands of birds that fly from Europe to Africa in the Autumn or on the opposite direction can be seen in the Spring. Portugal has over 100 freshwater fish species and vary from the giant European catfish (Tejo International Natural Park) to some small and endemic species that live only in small and located lakes.

Portugal has two significant agglomerations: Lisbon Metropolitan Region and Northern Littoral Urban-Metropolitan Region (or Porto Metropolitan Agglomeration). These broader agglomerations are distinct from the political metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto - Grande Área Metropolitana de Lisboa and Grande Área Metropolitana do Porto. Together they hold almost 50% of the total population.

The most populous cities are Lisbon, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Amadora, Braga, Almada, Coimbra, Funchal and Setúbal. There are seven Greater Metropolitan Areas: Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Lisbon, Minho, Porto and Viseu. 

Lisbon is the westernmost capital in mainland Europe. It is located in the west of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the point where the river Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The western side of the city is mainly occupied by the Monsanto Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe with an area close to 10 square kilometres.

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture. This monumental city is famous for its tile covered building facades and narrow medieval streets. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular festivities, the place for exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife, and interesting museums, a place from where motorways branch off in different directions.

Porto is located in the estuary of the Douro river in northern Portugal. The largest city in the north, Porto is considered the economic and cultural heart of the entire region. The city, which has an estimated population of about 240,000, lies at the centre of the political Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto, with a population of slightly more than 2.0 millions. Porto makes part of a broader metropolitan agglomeration (including the city of Braga) with over 3.2 million inhabitants.

The historic centre of Porto was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

One of Portugal's most internationally famous products, Port wine, is named after the city because it is produced in, and shipped from that area or, more precisely, from Vila Nova de Gaia, a city just across the river which belongs to the same conurbation.

Porto district is one of the most industrialised districts in Portugal, and Maia, one of Porto's satellite cities, has the largest industrial park in Portugal.

The Algarve  is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. The region coincides with the district of Faro, and has as its administrative centre the town of Faro, where both the region's international airport (Faro/Algarve Airport)and public university (the University of the Algarve) are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, are other important activities in the region.

The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety and relatively low costs. The length of the south-facing coastline is approximately 155 kilometres. Beyond the westernmost point of Cape St. Vincent it stretches a further 50 kilometres to the north. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat. There are many other beautiful and famous summer places such as Albufeira, Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha, Lagos, Armação de Pêra, Alvor, Monte Gordo, Tavira, and Sagres.