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08/04/2025
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17 facts you may not know about Portugal:
1. Portugal is the oldest country in Europe, with its borders established in 1139.
2. Lisbon, the capital city, is one of the oldest cities in the world, predating Rome, London, and Paris.
3. Portugal is famous for its Port wine, produced exclusively in the Douro Valley.
4. The country has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of Belém and the Monastery of Batalha.
5. Portugal’s Vasco da Gama Bridge, spanning 17.2 km (10.7 miles), is the longest bridge in Europe.
6. Portuguese is the official language of nine countries, including Brazil, making it the sixth most spoken language in the world.
7. Portugal is home to the largest cork forest globally and is the largest producer of cork, supplying over 50% of the world’s demand.
8. The country’s azulejos, decorative ceramic tiles, are iconic and can be seen on buildings throughout Portugal.
9. Fado, a genre of music known for its melancholic tunes, is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
10. Portugal’s Algarve region is renowned for its stunning beaches and limestone caves, such as the Benagil Cave.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players in history, hails from the Portuguese island of Madeira.
12. The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is one of the oldest universities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
13. Portugal was the first colonial power to abolish slavery, doing so in 1761.
14. The country’s traditional dish, bacalhau (salted cod), is prepared in over 1,000 different ways.
15. Portugal experiences some of the mildest climates in Europe, making it a year-round tourist destination.
16. Sintra, near Lisbon, is famous for its fairy-tale-like palaces, including the Pena Palace.
17. The Portuguese discovered and introduced many global staples, such as chili peppers, potatoes, and tea, to Europe during the Age of Exploration.
