About Portugal
Portugal, is officially the Portuguese Republic or the Republica Portuguesa. It is located on the most westerly part of mainland Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. To the east and north of Portugal is Spain and to the west is the Atlantic Ocean.
Portugal is well known for it's explorers such as Vasco da Gama who discovered India in 1498, Pedro Alvares Cabral who discovered Brasil and probably the greatest explorer of all Afonso d'Albuquerque. Thus laying the foundations down for the Portuguese Empire.
Modern Portugal has seen a number of changes in it's empire, as recently as 1961 the Portuguese army was involved in armed action in its colony of Portuguese India against an Indian invasion. The action resulted in the defeat of the Portuguese defence force which was not able to resist the Indian invasion.
Also in the early 1960s, independence movements in the Portuguese overseas provinces of Angola, Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea, in Africa, resulted in the Portuguese Colonial War (1961-1974). In 1974, a bloodless left-wing military coup in Lisbon, known as the Carnation Revolution, led the way for a modern democracy as well as the independence of the last colonies in Africa shortly after. However, Portugal's last overseas territory, Macau (Asia), was handed over to the People's Republic of China in 1999.
In 1986, Portugal joined the European Union (then the European Economic Community).
The tourist industry has slowly gained momentum over the past 30 years with the Algarve being the main focus for tourism. Sandy rocky coves with fantastic beaches in the south attract most of the tourists that visit Portugal. The resorts of Estoril and Cascais are two such resorts that can offer great beaches, great nightlife plus some of the countries top golf courses.
If your looking for more than just beaches Portugal can offer great national parks, interesting architecture and unspoilt countryside just waiting for the tourist with a little more spirit of adventure to explore.
Situated in the southwest corner of Europe Portugal has quite different climates along it's coast line. In the south the Algarve enjoys a mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters while in the north the climate is more temperate.
The Algarve area has many activities to offer the tourist such as, water sports, sailing, walking, golf, fishing and bird watching. Some of the best beaches in portugal are along the south coast of Portugal they include, Algar Seco near Carvoeiro, a sheltered cove ideal for snorkeling. Praia de dona Ana near Lagos and on the west coast Bordeira is just north of Carrapateira, just a few of the many fabulous beaches in the Algarve.
