The main rivers that govern the country are the Tagus, which cuts through Lisbon, to the south and the Douro River which cuts through the city of Porto, to the north.
Population
The Portuguese population is approximately 11 million inhabitants, with a demographic density of 125 inhabitants / km². Its ethnic composition is the combination of different peoples, such as the Romans, Arabs, Celts, Visigoths, Portuguese and Celtiberians.
One of the biggest concerns of the Portuguese government is the issue of an aging population and low birth rates. To have an idea, in 2018, just over 82 thousand babies were registered in the country, which ends up generating a demographic imbalance.
To keep the demographics balanced, Portugal needs to keep people in the country, recover those who left and attract new inhabitants. Currently, the country needs 75 thousand new adults per year, so the solution is to receive more immigrants from all over the world.
Understand what life is like here
If I had to choose a word to sum up life in Portugal it would be: quiet. The life of the Portuguese, in general, is very quiet and I say this thinking about the issue of safety, traffic and the culture of doing things more calmly and quietly.
The Portuguese have a very different rhythm and routine in life than the Brazilians and do everything without the rush we are used to.
Time is relative in Portugal
It is also important to note that, at the beginning, the shock is great since in Brazil we are used to the hurry, the “everything for yesterday” and in Portugal this does not work.
Coin
The currency adopted in Portugal is the Euro, but until 2002 the official currency was the Portuguese Escudo. It was implemented along with the proclamation of the republic in 1911.
The Portuguese started using the Euro as of January 2002, however, the transition started to be made in 1999 with the production of banknotes and coins in 15 factories across Europe.
The Portuguese Escudo stopped circulating at the end of February 2002, when the price was 1 euro = 200 escudos. However, according to the European Central Bank , the Portuguese Escudo can be exchanged for Euro until February 28, 2022.
economy
Portugal faced a major economic crisis, which started as part of the global financial crisis of 2007 – 2008. The effects started to be perceived in 2009, but the economy really went into crisis until the third quarter of 2013.
During the period, inequality increased, there were cuts in basic services and the government needed to use resources from public coffers to save some companies. At the peak of the crisis, 52 bankruptcies were declared each day.
Since then, Portugal has resumed its economy in an impressive way. Check out everything about Portugal and its economy in some indexes of the country:
GDP
According to the PORDATA.pt website , the gross domestic product of the European country was € 194,613,467 billion in 2017, while GDP per capita was € 18,744.3 in the same year.
HDI
In 2018, Portugal rose to 41st position in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). The country has an HDI of 0.847 considered “very high human development”, which shows that the country is a great place to live, remembering that the maximum attributable index is 1.0.
To give you an idea, Norway has an index of 0.953, making it the most developed country in the world. While Brazil is in 79th position with an index of 0.759.
The HDI is based on indicators such as population, health, education, employment, national wealth, security and perception of well-being.
Unemployment
In our guide all about Portugal, unemployment is a very interesting topic. The sharp fall in unemployment in Portugal in recent months has now put the country’s rate below the European Union average.
Cost of living in Portugal
One of the biggest doubts of those who think about moving to Portugal is in relation to the cost of living . Your monthly expenses will depend on some factors such as: lifestyle, city chosen to live in, type of property, among other aspects.
Salary
Currently the minimum wage in Portugal is 635 € (in 2020), being one of the lowest in the European Union, but the cost of living here is also cheaper.
Rent
The rent in Portugal (and worldwide) is one of the items that consume our monthly income. Living in the city center can cost up to twice as much as living 15 km from the center.
For example, the rent in Lisbon of a T2 (two bedroom apartment) can vary between € 650 and € 5,000, while in Porto the same apartment can vary between € 600 and € 3,500 *.
* Values vary depending on location, whether it is furnished or unfurnished, newly renovated, etc.
Market
Regarding food values in supermarkets in Portugal , the values are very similar between cities, especially if you choose “white label” products, ie the supermarket brand.
What is the capital of Portugal?
The country’s capital is beautiful and charming Lisbon. A city that, according to the 2015 CENSUS, has just over 500 thousand inhabitants, but in its metropolitan region the number of people is much higher, 2.8 million.
In Lisbon you can find everything about Portugal: culture, gastronomy, good shows, art and much more, as the city portrays on every corner a little bit of the Portuguese way of living.
Lisbon Division
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area encompasses 18 municipalities in Greater Lisbon and the Setúbal Peninsula. To the north we have Lisbon, Amadora, Oeiras, Cascais , Sintra , Odivelas, Loures, Vila Franca de Xira and Mafra . While to the south the municipalities are Almada, Seixal, Sesimbra, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo, Alcochete, Palmela and Setúbal .
Lisbon sights
Lisbon is one of the cities in Europe that has received the most tourists in recent years. And no less. If you want to know everything about Portugal, you will certainly love getting to know the city.
Belém Tower
The Belém Tower, which is on the banks of the Tagus River, is one of the most famous and visited monuments in Lisbon. It was used as a defense at the time of the Philippine occupation and also as a dungeon and has a beautiful decoration with coats of arms from Portugal.
Jerónimos Monastery
Another well-known monument in the capital is the Jerónimos Monastery, also called Santa Maria de Belém Monastery, and is next to the Belém Tower. The Monastery is worked in Manueline art and was built thanks to King Manuel I.
Discover the Chiado neighborhood in Lisbon and discover everything you have to do in one of the most famous corners of the capital.
Sao Jorge’s Castle
Built at the time of Muslim rule, 11th century, in order to defend the city and was regained by D. Afonso Henriques. The Castelo de São Jorge was home to the King and the court and housed the entire royal archive in one of its towers.
Monument to the Discoveries
The Monument is in the neighborhood of Belém, just before the Torre de Belém (for those going to Praça do Comércio – Torre de Belém). It is a beautiful work that has the shape of a caravel, containing three large candles and on the floor the wind rose, a serious one, Neptune and other mystical figures. Inside the monument there is a type of auditorium and museum.
Major cities
The largest cities in Portugal, in terms of population, are the capital Lisbon, Vila Nova de Gaia (to the north and neighboring the city of Porto), Porto (north of the country), Braga (north) and Matosinhos (north).
Sintra, Cascais, Loures and Amadora have a high number of inhabitants, but they have not yet been emancipated from Lisbon and, for this reason, they are not considered cities but neighborhoods or towns in the country’s capital.
Portugal’s best cities to live
You can find out everything about Portugal walking the streets of each city. This is because in each region you are faced with a totally unique scenario, which highlights the great diversity of customs, accents and styles that the country has.
Braga
Braga is the third largest city in the country with an estimated population of 181.2 thousand inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and in 2012 it was elected the European Capital of Youth. In fact, the city is perfect for those seeking tranquility, quality of life and a cheaper cost.
Located just 60 minutes by train from Porto, Braga is one of the cheapest Portuguese cities (including European ones too) to live in. Finding work in the city is not as easy as Lisbon or Porto, however the main job offers are in the areas of civil construction, information technology (or IT), tourism, services and commerce.
Some sights of the city:
- Braga Cathedral;
- Carvalheiras Cruise;
- Tibães Monastery;
- Raio Palace;
- Largo do Paço;
- Porto Bridge;
- D. Chica Castle;
- Image Museum;
- Bom Jesus Gardens;
- Parque da Ponte;
- Municipality Square;
- Tower of Keep;
Guimaraes
A historic city and directly linked to Portuguese origins, with an incredible mix of tradition and modernity, in addition to a very affordable cost of living. This is Guimarães, which in 2001 received the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Guimarães is a small to medium sized city, located in the district of Braga and has a little more than 52 thousand inhabitants. The city has a train station, which facilitates transportation to neighboring cities such as Braga and Porto.
The sector that most offers jobs in the city is the textile, tourism, commercial and technological industrial sector. Basic sectors are also not lacking in the region, such as receptionist or salesman.
Some sights of the city:
- Foundation Castle;
- Palace of the Dukes of Bragança;
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação;
- Convent of Santa Clara de Assis;
Sintra
This is the destination for those looking for a more peaceful life, but with the ease of living 40 minutes from a large European capital. It is certainly a totally viable option for those who want to live in Sintra and work in Lisbon.
In addition to Sintra being close to Lisbon, it is only 18km from Cascais and 13km from Estoril.
The city, despite being called “village”, despite having more than 300 thousand inhabitants, has an excellent infrastructure. You will find schools, public and private nurseries, public transport, hospitals, supermarkets, restaurants and shopping.
Some sights of the city:
- Pena National Palace;
- Quinta da Regaleira;
- National Palace of Sintra;
- Castle of the Moors;
- Cabo da Roca.
Portugal on a world map
Portugal is on the European continent and is one of the four countries in the south of the continent, along with Spain, Greece and Italy. In fact, during the height of the economic crisis, which began in 2008 in the United States, the countries of southern Europe were accused of hindering the continent’s growth and there was even a breakdown in relations between these countries and the European Union .
Other geographic data
The highest point in Portugal is Pico Mountain, on Pico Island, one of the islands of the Azores archipelago. With a Mediterranean climate, Portugal has one of the best climates in Europe and has well-marked seasons.
Weather in Portugal
The climate of Portugal is considered one of the best in Europe and has well defined seasons. Even Lisbon is the sunniest capital in Europe.
The average annual temperature varies widely from city to city. In summer, temperatures can easily reach 40ºC, with long, sunny days. In winter, some cities reach temperatures below freezing, especially the northernmost cities in Portugal.
What draws the attention of those who live or visit Portugal is that in the summer there is almost no rain. While in winter, it is possible to spend several days with rain accompanied by a lot of wind.
As Portugal is located in the northern hemisphere, the climate is unlike Brazil. The winter months are between December, January, February and early March; while summer runs from late June to September. Learn more about the seasons in Portugal .