Capital and major cities of Portugal. Portugal

basic information

Climate

Moderately marine for the most part. On the Mediterranean coast - subtropical, dry, hot summers and rainy, windy winters. average temperature January +3°С, it's snowing rarely, on the coast + 12 ° С. The average July temperature is +23°C. AT last years temperature peaks up to +30°C and above are observed.

Religion

Catholics - 76%, Muslims - 5% and others.

Time

Behind Moscow for 2 hours.

Language

French (state), Breton (in Brittany), Basque, Catalan (both in the Pyrenees), Provencal (in Provence), Flemish (in Flanders), German dialects (in Alsace and Lorraine).

Currency

Currency unit- euro (Euro), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

It is recommended to take care of purchasing the currency before entering the country. The most favorable exchange rate is offered by "Bank de France" and exchange offices with a sign "No Commission" ("no commission"). Kiosks at airports, hotels and train stations do not offer the best rate, plus a percentage is taken for the operation, but their opening hours are very convenient. For the exchange of dollars, most exchange offices take a 15% commission, although this is not indicated anywhere.

Traveler's checks can be easily cashed at a bank or exchange office. Credit cards widespread. By checks in France at a time you can get an amount not exceeding 60 euros, it is better to take checks in euro with you. It is also beneficial to exchange currency through ATM machines. VAT (TVA) is 20.6% (33% for luxury goods) and is included in the price of many goods. Foreigners who purchase goods in one store in the amount of at least 185 euros can receive a tax refund. The money is returned at customs when crossing the border upon presentation of the check and the goods, or the check is sent to the place of residence and cashed in the bank.

Banks are usually open on weekdays from 10.00 to 17.00 or from 9.30 to 16.00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and on holidays. On the eve of the holidays, they work only in the morning. In the province, banks are open from Tuesday to Saturday. Break, as a rule, from 13.00 to 15.00, on the eve of holidays they also close earlier than usual. Currency exchange offices are open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, the day off is Sunday.

Population

France has a population of 65.4 million (January 2010). In the French lexicon, the word "nationality", "nationalité" means exclusively "citizenship", and the adjective "national, national", "national, nationale" means belonging to the state - the French Republic, so all citizens of France are included in one category of official statistics - " French people".

As for the ethnic composition, then to national minorities include Alsatians and Lorraine (about 1.4 million people, speak German dialects), Bretons (1.25 million people, speak the Breton language of the Celtic group), Jews (about 500 thousand people), Flemings (300 thousand people, speak the southern version of the Dutch language), Catalans (250 thousand people), Basques (140 thousand people) and Corsicans (280 thousand people, speak French, use Italian dialects in everyday life).

Attractions

France is a country rich in history and culture. In Paris, it is interesting to see the historical part of the city, the Central Market quarter, the Latin Quarter, the Place Pigalle district, Montmartre Boulevard.

The symbol of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, located on Trocadero Square, at the metro station of the same name.

It is worth visiting the magnificent museums: the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Picasso Museum, etc., as well as seeing the world-famous monuments of architecture: the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle chapel, the Palace of Versailles. Disneyland, Asterix Park, Aquabulvar will be interesting for children and adults. There are many theaters, cabarets, music halls in Paris (Moulin Rouge, Lido, Folies Bergère). In Nice, a fashionable Mediterranean resort, there are museums of Matisse and Chagall.

Many interesting things can be seen and tasted in the regions of France: in Normandy - the Blooming Coast with the cities of Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur, the capitals of Can and Rouen with their chic architecture, as well as wine farms for the production of cider and Calvados; in Brittany - the resort town of Saint-Malo, the romantic Pink Granite Coast, the mysterious Pamponne Forest and much more; in the Loire Valley there are famous castles, almost each of which you can taste local wine.

Visa

A Schengen visa is required to enter France.

Geography

France is divided into 26 regions (régions), of which 21 are on the European continent, one (Corsica) is on the island of Corsica, and four more are overseas. The regions do not have legal autonomy, but they can set their own taxes and budget.

26 regions are divided into 100 departments (départements), consisting of 342 districts (arrondissements) and 4039 cantons (cantons). France is based on 36,682 communes. The division into departments and communes is comparable to the division of Russia into regions and districts.

The department of Paris consists of a single commune. The four overseas regions (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion) each consist of a single department. The region of Corsica (including 2 departments) has a special status of an administrative-territorial entity, different from other regions of the metropolis (continental France). All these regions are part of the European Union.

Electricity

Mains voltage: 220 W, sockets - "European standard".

Weekends and holidays

Precautionary measures

A Frenchman likes to hear bad French than excellent French. English language. Therefore, they are more willing to speak English after the tourist tries to speak French.

The menu card of the restaurant is posted at the door, check the prices in advance.

After dinner, several varieties of cheese are served for dessert. It is recommended to drink cheese with red wine, not juice or Coca-Cola. Keep this in mind when ordering dessert even in a modest restaurant.

Medical care in France is paid. There is a first-aid post in the Russian embassy.

Useful Phones

• In case of fire - 18,
• Police - 17,
• Ambulance - 15,
• SOS Doctors (in Paris) - 47 07 77 77 or 20 33 24 24,
• SOS Dentists (in Paris) - 43 37 51 00,
• Taxi (24/7) in Paris- 01 49 17 01 01
  

Customs regulations

A Schengen visa is required to enter France. Duty-free import allowed: 200 pcs. cigarettes, or 100 pcs. small cigars, or 50 pcs. cigars, or 250 g of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of table wine or 1 liter alcoholic beverages with a strength of over 22%, or 2 liters of fortified wines with a strength of up to 22%; 250 ml of eau de toilette, 50 ml of perfume, 500 g of coffee or 200 g of coffee extracts; 100 g of tea or 40 g of tea extracts; food in limited quantities (2 kg of fish, 250 g of caviar, 1 kg of animal products), new things or food for personal consumption. Other goods can be imported in the amount of 200 euros per person (for a child under 15 years old - 100 euros), if their import is not restricted or otherwise prohibited. It is forbidden to import illegally published printed materials, gold in bars, plates or in the form of coins (except jewelry) - without the permission of the country's bank. When exported, weapons, art objects, antiques, products made of gold and precious metals are subject to mandatory customs control. It is allowed to export weapons, antiquities and art, products made of gold and precious metals (with mandatory customs control). If their value exceeds 3,000 euros, a fee of 6-7% is charged (therefore, expensive jewelry must be declared upon entry in order to take them out without any problems). Import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited. The amount from 10,000 euros is declared. When importing pets, you must present vaccination certificates, as well as medical certificates for French issued at least 5 days prior to departure. Importation of kittens and puppies under the age of three months is prohibited.

Political system

France is a sovereign unitary democratic republic. The current Constitution, adopted on October 4, 1958, establishes a republican presidential-parliamentary form of government. The head of state is the president, who is elected for a five-year term. The head of government is the prime minister. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President in consultation with the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament elected by popular vote.

Connection

For telephone conversations, it is convenient to use telephone cards that are sold in the subway, tobacco kiosks, post offices, and cafes. The cost of 1 minute of conversation with Moscow is 1.5 euros. Cards are available for 7.5 euros and 15 euros. At night and in the afternoon, on Saturday and Sunday, the rate is preferential.

Call from Russia to France: 8-10-33 + area code + phone number.

Call from France to Russia: 007 + area code + phone number

Hotels

Classification of hotels in France is different from the world. Detailed advice can be obtained from our managers.

Mains voltage: 220 W, sockets - "European standard". Checkout time in hotels in France - 12 noon. On the eve of departure from the hotel, you must pay for additional services (telephone, mini-bar, etc.). As for tips, usually a surcharge for paying for services (10-12%) is automatically included in the bill in hotels, restaurants and bars, it is considered good manners to leave a small change (change or simply rounding the bill up) to the service staff along with the bill.

The shops

Opening hours on weekdays from 09.00 to 19.00, on Saturday until 16.00, on Sunday - day off.

The main seasonal sales are in July, January and February.

Major major stores: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marche.

Tax Free refund is made at the airport when leaving the country when buying goods in the amount of 170 euros, if you have a receipt from the Detax bureau in the store and present the purchased item.

Smoking

On January 1, 2008, a ban on tobacco smoking in public places - bars, restaurants, bistros, hookahs, tobacco shops, casinos, nightclubs and discos - came into force in France.

Since January 1, 2007, a similar ban has been introduced in all enclosed public spaces (workplaces, institutes, airports, hospitals, and so on). Violators of the law face a fine of 68 euros, and the owner of the establishment or the employer who allowed smoking can be fined 135 euros.

The ban does not apply to open terraces of drinking establishments and restaurants, railway platforms, decks of motor ships, bus stops and open stands of stadiums.

Hotel guests can still smoke in their rooms, unless the establishment is non-smoking.

It is quite natural to ask a person who smokes nearby to put out a cigarette. Such a request does not always achieve an effect, but one should not expect open aggression in response here either.

Transport

France has a well-developed bus and car connection, as well as railway transport. The fare by rail depends on the travel time, distance and age of the passenger. Tickets for travel on intercity buses are cheaper than train tickets. Public transport: metro, bus, tram, high-speed trains. You can buy a single ticket for urban transport, but it does not include the high-speed metro line and the RER train, which connect airports and suburbs with the center of Paris. Taxis can be taken at the parking lot, but it is still more convenient to ride at night, because. traffic jams in the center of Paris during the day. Payment is by meter + tip.

Rail connection

Rail transport in France is very developed. Local and night trains, including TGV ("Trains à Grande Vitesse" - high-speed trains) connect the capital with all major cities in the country, as well as with neighboring European countries. The speed of these trains is 320 km/h. The French railway network is 29,370 kilometers long and is the longest railway network in Western Europe.

Rail links exist with all neighboring countries except Andorra.

Metropolitan

Metro in France is available in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Rennes. In Rouen - partly underground Light Rail. In addition to the metro system, Paris has a RER (Reseau Express Regional) network connected simultaneously with the metro system and the suburban train network.

The Paris Metro has 14 numbered long lines plus 2 short ones. Since transfer stations belong to more than one line, you need to be careful when transferring. In the subway, you need to know three words: Sorti - exit, Direction - direction, Correspondence - transfer. The transport network in the Île-de-France region has a radial configuration with the center of Paris. Otherwise, it is similar to the Moscow Metro. The direction of movement is determined by the end station on the branch, which is indicated above the driver's cab.

Automobile communication

Network highways densely covers the entire territory of the country. The total length of roads: 951,500 km.

The main roads of France are divided into the following groups:

• Highways - the name of the road is made up of the letter A followed by the road number. Permissible speed - 130 km / h, the mandatory presence of gas stations every 50 km, a concrete dividing strip, the absence of traffic lights, pedestrian crossings.
• National roads - prefix N. Permissible speed - 90 km / h (with a concrete dividing strip - 110 km / h).
• Departmental roads - prefix D. Permissible speed - 90 km/h.
• In cities, the speed limit is 50 km/h. The use of seat belts is mandatory. Children under 10 must be transported in special seats

Air transport

There are about 475 airports in France. 295 of them have paved or concrete runways, and the remaining 180 are unpaved (2008 data). The largest French airport - Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, is located in the suburbs of Paris. The national French carrier Air France operates flights to almost all countries of the world.

Portuguese Republic.

The name of the country comes from the city of Porto (lat. Portus Cale - "warm port").

Capital of Portugal. Lisbon.

Portugal Square. 92389 km2.

Population of Portugal. 10066 thousand people

Location of Portugal. Portugal is located in the extreme southwest in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. She also owns the Azores and the island of Madeira, located in. In the north and east, Portugal borders on, in the south and west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Administrative divisions of Portugal. Portugal is divided into 22 districts, including 18 on the continent, and 2 autonomous regions, the Azores and the Madeira archipelago.

Form of government of Portugal. Republic.

Head of State of Portugal. President elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislature of Portugal. Assembly of the Republic (unicameral parliament), term of office - 4 years.

Supreme executive body of Portugal. Government.

Major cities in Portugal. Porto, Coimbra, Braga, Evora.

Official language of Portugal. Portuguese.

Religion in Portugal. 97% - .

Ethnic composition Portugal. 99% are Portuguese.

Currency of Portugal. Euro = 100 cents.

About the cities of Portugal
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the country's largest city. It is located on the right bank of the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its history goes back about 20 centuries. Lisbon was built on seven hills, like Rome and Moscow. Just like Moscow, Lisbon is patronized by George the Victorious. The city became the capital of the state in 1147 after the liberation from Arab colonization. Lisbon owes this to the first king of Portugal, Alfonso Henriquez. Founded main city country was the Phoenicians as a stop at the intersection sea ​​routes and named Alis Ubbo - blessed bay. The city was under the control of the Roman Empire, the Moors, the Spaniards... The center of Lisbon is one of the main attractions. Bullfights and public executions took place here in the 18th century. Monument to the Discoverers, St. George's Fortress, Belem Cultural Center - these and other "witnesses" different eras and events attract the attention of tourists. Of particular note are the Bethlehem Tower and the Jeromini Monastery; they are declared by UNESCO as a heritage of world culture.

Porto is the second most populated city in Portugal, giving its name not only to port wine, but to the whole country. It is located near the ocean, at the mouth of the Douro River. Four bridges have been laid across it, connecting the historical part of the city with Vila Nova de Gaia, a small neighboring town. The repository of the world-famous port wine is located in Vila Nova de Gaia. One of the bridges leading here was built according to the design of Gustav Eiffel: a two-tier structure of impressive size seems openwork and light. On the highest point of the old city, the Se Cathedral was built. Erected in the 12th century on a granite rock, it originally served as a fortress. Later it was rebuilt, but even now you can guess its original purpose. The cathedral square offers a beautiful view of the city. From cathedral the descent to the river goes through the poorest region of Porto. The area of ​​luxurious villas is located near the ocean. You can get here on the current museum - a tram that has not changed since 1930. It's called the Electric Machine Museum. However, each of Porto's trams can serve as an exhibit: inside the vehicle is upholstered in wood, the driver drives it while standing for the simple reason that there is no seat for it. When the tram reaches the end point of the route, the driver moves from the head to the tail, where there is also a cab, and drives his car in the "reverse course": the rails in Porto end in a dead end. The most scenic route runs along the ocean coast. From the windows of noisy and old trams you can see fashionable villas, chosen by wealthy people from all over Europe.
From the early Middle Ages to the 17th century, there was a law that forbade the aristocracy not only to build, but also to stay in the city for more than three days. Even the king did not have his residence in Porto. He stayed at the Bishop's Palace built by Nicolo Nazzoni. It is a masterpiece of Portuguese Baroque architecture from the 18th century.

It is interesting
* Internet domain of Portugal - .pt

*

PORTUGAL
Portuguese Republic, a state in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. The capital is the city of Lisbon. The area, together with the islands, is 92.3 thousand square meters. km. From the south and west, the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the north and east it borders on Spain. In addition, Portugal includes the Azores, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,450 km west of Lisbon, and the Madeira archipelago, 970 km southwest of Lisbon.

Portugal. The capital is Lisbon. Population - 10.6 million people (1997). Population density - 115 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population- 30%, rural - 70%. Area - 92.3 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Estrela (1993 m). Official language- Portuguese. The main religion is Catholicism. Administrative-territorial division: 18 districts and 2 autonomous regions. Monetary unit: escudo = 100 centavos. Public Holiday: Portugal Day - 10 June. National anthem: "A Portuguesa"

After a short delay, check if videostreamok has hidden its iframe setTimeout(function() ( if(document.getElementById("adv_kod_frame").hidden) document.getElementById("video-banner-close-btn").hidden = true; ) , 500); ) ) if (window.addEventListener) ( window.addEventListener("message", postMessageReceive); ) else ( window.attachEvent("onmessage", postMessageReceive); ) ))();

The name of the country comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Cale at the mouth of the river. Douro. In 1139 Portugal became a kingdom independent of Spain. At that time, it occupied only the northern third of its modern territory. In 1249, the last Muslim ruler in the south of the country was expelled, and since then its borders have changed little. In the 15th century Portugal was the leading maritime power in Europe, and in the next century the first of European countries created a huge empire with overseas possessions in South America, Africa, India and the East Indies. In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown in Portugal, and in 1974 a democratically minded military junta put an end to the dictatorial regime that had existed since 1926. The constitution adopted in 1976 proclaimed Portugal a parliamentary republic with direct elections and universal suffrage for the adult population. In addition to modern administrative divisions, districts, division into 11 historical provinces is often used in Portugal.
NATURE
Surface structure. On the territory of Portugal, the valleys of the Douro (Duero) and Tejo (Tajo) rivers are clearly distinguished. In the upper reaches, they are narrow and deeply incised; downstream, they expand and, near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, pass into flat lowlands. These rivers are the natural boundaries of five of the six geographic regions of the country. At the same time, the border between Portugal and Spain is almost never associated with natural boundaries.
The relief of the provinces of Minho in the west and Traz-os-Montes and Alto-Douro in the east, located north of the Douro river, is rugged, mountainous. The province of Beira, extending from the Douro up to the upper section of the Tagus, except coastal plain, also occupied by mountains. In its central part there is the highest point of Portugal - Mount Estrela (1993 m above sea level). The fertile plains in the lower reaches of the Tagus River (Ribatejo province) and in the coastal zone north and south of the country's capital, Lisbon, belong to the province of Extremadura. To the east and south of it stretches the province of Alentejo, with a soft hilly relief, and the entire southern part of Portugal is occupied by the plains of the Algarve province, which are similar in natural conditions to the Mediterranean zone of North Africa.
The soils of Portugal are mostly sandy, acidic, formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The exception is the fertile loamy soils of the alluvial plain in the lower reaches of the Tejo River. Several seismically active zones are distinguished on the territory of Portugal, the largest of them are located in the Algarve, Minho and near Lisbon.
Climate. Portugal, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, has a temperate Mediterranean climate. Several climatic regions can be distinguished: northwestern with abundant rains, mild winters and short summers; the northeast with longer, cold, snowy winters and hot summers, and the south with a deficit of precipitation, long hot, dry summers and mild winters. In Lisbon, air humidity is low and average temperatures range from 10°C in January to 23°C in August. The average annual rainfall here is 700 mm.
Flora and fauna. The natural vegetation of Portugal, although heavily modified by man, reflects the listed climatic features. Where oceanic influence predominates, pine grows in abundance. On the northern and central coast, it forms significant forests, in the tree layer of which there is also Portuguese oak (Quercus lusitanica), and in the shrub layer - broom. In areas with long, hot and dry summers, cork and holm oaks are common.
Forests cover 1/5 of the territory of Portugal; almost half of them are coniferous, mostly pine. Approximately 607 thousand hectares are occupied by cork oak plantations. Portugal supplies half of the world's cork production. The area of ​​eucalyptus plantations, characterized by rapid growth, is rapidly expanding; it is the most important source of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. Forests are essential to the economy and foreign trade of Portugal.
Of the animals in the country, there are species typical of Central Europe(lynx, wild forest cat, wolf, fox, wild boar, bear, various rodents), as well as representatives of the North African fauna (genet, chameleon, etc.). Portugal is located on one of the main migration routes of migratory birds, so many species of birds are found here. More than 200 species of fish are found in coastal waters, including commercial ones, including sardines, anchovies and tuna.
POPULATION
Origin and features. The population of the country is mono-ethnic, 99% are Portuguese. Many peoples have long settled on the Iberian Peninsula. The most ancient inhabitants - the Iberians - were undersized and swarthy. Over the centuries, the appearance of the Portuguese was formed under the influence of the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, as well as Germanic tribes, in particular the Visigoths and Alemanni.
Demography. Over a century and a half, the population of Portugal has tripled - from 3.4 million people in 1841 to 10.6 million people in 1997. In the first half of the 1980s, per 1000 inhabitants, the birth rate was approx. 18, and mortality 9-10. By the end of the 1980s, the birth rate had fallen to almost 12. Natural population growth was partly offset by emigration. Throughout the 20th century largest number emigrants were sent to America. However, in the 1960s, many Portuguese left in search of work in France, Germany and other countries of Western Europe. From 1960 to 1972 almost 1.5 million Portuguese emigrated. In the late 1970s, emigration declined sharply, and after the Portuguese colonies in Africa gained independence, several hundred thousand Portuguese returned to their homeland.
Cities. The largest and most important city in Portugal is Lisbon (2.1 million inhabitants with suburbs, 1996). This is the capital and main port of the country, an industrial center, a junction of roads and railways, as well as air traffic. The growth of the suburbs was so rapid that by the 1990s, almost 2.3 million people lived in the Lisbon metropolitan area, i.e. nearly a quarter of the country's population. Petrochemical plants, shipyards and enterprises of many other industries form a powerful industrial complex, covering suburbs such as Amadora (140 thousand people in 1991), Barreiro (59.5 thousand) and Almada (22.6 thousand). Porto is the main city of the North - the second most populous in the country (302.5 thousand in 1991; in the entire agglomeration, about 1.2 million people). Porto, located on the right bank of the Douro river, former capital Portugal and major port country, famous for its port wine. On the opposite bank of the Douro River is the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (31.5 thousand inhabitants in 1991), where many warehouses of wine companies are concentrated. To the north of Porto is its suburb, Matosinhos (29.8 thousand), the center of fishing and canning sardines.
The main city of central Portugal, Coimbra (118.9 thousand), is known for its university, founded in 1290. It is also a trade and transport center. Braga (102.7 thousand) - the residence of the Roman Catholic primate of Portugal, there are small factories and handicraft workshops. Setubal (85.3 thousand) is the center of the fish processing industry, fruit processing and car assembly.
Language. Portugal is a monolingual country. The official language is Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken approx. 184 million people on three continents. This language is similar to Spanish, both of them come from Latin. However, Portuguese differs significantly from Spanish in terms of pronunciation and grammar. Vocabulary Portuguese enriched by Arab and German words, as well as a dictionary of the languages ​​of the Asian peoples, with whom the Portuguese travelers-discoverers and traders came into contact. The most significant work of medieval Portuguese literature is the epic poem Lusiada (1572), written by Luis de Camões. It tells of the Portuguese geographical discoveries and glorifies Portugal and its people.
Religion. Portugal in its history and traditions is a Roman Catholic country; almost 94% of its inhabitants profess Catholicism. However, the church is separated from the state and does not receive direct financial support. Less than 1% of the inhabitants are Protestants. There are Jewish communities in Lisbon and Porto (200 thousand people). About 5% of the country's inhabitants recognize themselves as atheists.
GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
From 1926 to 1974 in Portugal there was a conservative dictatorial regime of the so-called. "new state". In fact, the country was ruled for 36 years by António de Oliveira Salazar, who served as prime minister. He forbade everything political organizations, except for the National Union he founded, and sought to keep the entire population under control through a network of youth organizations, veterans' associations and other institutions officially supported by the state. Salazar made extensive use of propaganda and censorship, and suppressed dissent with the help of the secret police.
During the dictatorship of Salazar and the six-year rule of his successor, Marcel Caetano, the ever-increasing costs of maintaining power in the recalcitrant African colonies led to the impoverishment of most workers and peasants in Portugal itself. At the same time, the profits from the colonies went to a small trading, industrial and landowning oligarchy. By many measures, Portugal was the poorest country in the world. Western Europe. On April 25, 1974, a group of young officers who made up the Movement of the Armed Forces (ICE) and opposed the endless wars in Africa and the repressive policies at home, overthrew the Cayetana regime and formed an interim government. The officers demanded to negotiate with representatives liberation movements, end the existence of the police state and censorship, form political parties, hold elections in constituent Assembly within a year after the transition to civilian administration.
The initial two-year transition period was accompanied by political instability. During this time, six interim governments were replaced, attempts were made to carry out two coups d'état (one was inspired by the right forces, the other by the left); The country was engulfed in strikes and demonstrations. Nevertheless, on the first anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the Portuguese elected a Constituent Assembly, which drafted a constitution that came into force on April 2, 1976.
State device. Unlike Salazar's corporate regime, political system, provided for by the 1976 constitution, was based on democratic principles with elements of socialism.
The legislature is a unicameral parliament (Assembly of the Republic), consisting of 250 deputies, elected in general elections for a four-year term. The Assembly adopts laws and approves the budget. Executive power is divided between the president and the government headed by the prime minister. The president is elected in a general election for a term of five years and cannot be re-elected for a third term. The president's powers include the appointment and removal of the prime minister and other ministers, and he can veto bills passed by parliament. The government determines the policy of the country, forms the budget and exercises control over public administration.
From 1976 to 1982, there was a State Council under the President, which was subsequently replaced by three new bodies: the Constitutional Court, the Advisory state council headed by a president and staffed by political and public figures, and the Supreme Council of National Defense.
In 1989, a series of amendments to the 1976 constitution were adopted: the goal was to build a "free and just society that cares for others," instead of the previous wording - "building a classless society." A clause was introduced to allow the sale of previously nationalized companies and a new course of agricultural reform was set. Some articles of the constitution were revised in 1992.
Portugal has a centralized system of government. The continental part of the country is subdivided into 18 administrative districts. Smaller administrative units are municipalities and parishes.
Local government. The representative organizations of the parish are the assembly and the junta of the parish. The Assembly is elected by all the citizens of the parish. The junta is the executive body of the parish and is elected by secret ballot of the assemblies from among its members. The chairman of the junta is the citizen who heads the list of candidates and receives the largest number of votes in elections to the assembly.
Municipalities are governed by municipal assemblies and chambers. The municipal assemblies consist of the presidents of the juntas (executive bodies) of the parishes and at least the same number of elected deputies. The Municipal Chamber is the executive branch of government and is chaired by the candidate of the leading party that receives the most votes. Municipalities can create associations and federations to solve economic, social, cultural and other issues.
The representative bodies of the administrative districts are the assembly and the junta of the district. The Assembly consists of members elected by direct universal suffrage and members chosen by an electoral college composed of members of the municipal assemblies. The executive collegial body, the junta, is elected by secret ballot by the district assembly from among its members. The county junta has a government representative.
The Azores and Madeira enjoy self-government and have the status autonomous regions. They are also divided into municipalities and parishes. Regional assemblies are elected in direct general and secret elections in accordance with the principle of proportional representation.
Political parties. With the establishment of the dictatorship of Salazar in the early 1930s and until the April Revolution of 1974, political parties were banned. Nevertheless, the communist and socialist parties, as well as small political groups of the left, operated underground. After 1974, a number of new parties emerged. The largest of them - the People's Democratic (later renamed the Social Democratic, SDP) and the Social Democratic Center (SDC) - were formed by politicians who played an active role under the previous regime. Most major parties have received significant financial assistance from foreign political partners.
During the first few months after the revolution, approx. 80 political factions. By the time the first ballots were distributed, the political spectrum had narrowed to 12 parties. In the elections, the following parties received the largest number of votes: Socialist (SP, 35%), PSD (24%), SDC (16%) and Portuguese Communist (PCP, 14%).
The more conservative North of Portugal favored the SDP or NP, while the SP and PKP had support in the south. In recent years, the PKP's influence has waned, its electorate formerly consisting of industrial workers in the Lisbon region and poor agricultural workers in the South (Alentejo). About a million returnees from Angola and Mozambique are hostile to the left-wing politicians who granted independence to these African colonies.
Political instability shook Portugal in the first decade after the revolution. From 1974 to 1976, six provisional governments were replaced. General António Ramalho Eanis, a moderate member of the Armed Forces Movement (EMF), provided some social stability during his presidency from 1976-1986. Mario Soares was the prime minister during the same years. He led the first SP minority government and then led an unstable government coalition. In 1979 the president was forced to hold by-elections.
From 1979 to 1983, most parties grouped into three coalitions, which were center right, center left, and extreme left; while the SDP dominated. This situation changed in 1983, when a centrist coalition came to power, led by the Socialists, who received the majority of votes, and the Social Democrats. This is coalition government broke up in 1985, after the weakening of the position of the SDP.
Although the socialist candidate Soares was elected president in 1986 (the first civilian head of state in 60 years) with the support of the revolutionary
Democratic Party DVS Eanish and the United People's Union, led by the Communists, the Social Democrats continued to lead the parliament in the mid-1980s. In 1987, after the abolition of censorship and the holding of new elections, the SDP won the majority of seats in parliament for the first time in 13 years. The socialists won the 1989 municipal elections, and Soarish was elected president in the January 13, 1991 elections, receiving 70.4% of the vote. Nevertheless, the SDP again received an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections on October 6, 1991.
In 1995, the Socialists managed to win the presidential election and get the majority of seats in parliament. The government was headed by the leader of the joint venture, António Guteres. In January 1996, Jorge Sampaio, the former socialist mayor of Lisbon, won the presidential election. The Socialists also won the 1997 municipal elections.
Legal system. Under the Salazar regime, freedom of the press and the right to associate, assemble, protest or strike were severely restricted. In the 1976 constitution, these restrictions were lifted. The provision for the inviolability of the person was introduced into both civil and military laws. The criminal law system is organized at the national level under the Ministry of Justice in 217 judicial districts. In a number of cases, the prosecution or the defense has the right to demand a trial by jury.
In Portugal, the courts are independent and subject only to the law. The Constitutional Court exists completely independently. supreme body in the hierarchy of courts is Supreme Court. In addition, the system of courts includes courts of general jurisdiction of the first and second instances, the Supreme Administrative Court and other administrative and fiscal courts, the Accounts Chamber, military tribunals, maritime courts, arbitration courts.
Military establishment. Salazar Regime - Caetanu constantly built up military power Portugal. Under Cayetano, almost 2/5 of total amount government spending. After the revolution of 1974, in connection with the liquidation of the colonial system, there was no need for a large army. In 1990, 44 thousand people served in the army, 16 thousand people in the navy. Air Force counted approx. 15 thousand personnel.
Foreign policy. Portugal has long had particularly close relations with England. This tradition originates from a trade agreement signed in 1373. In 1386, both countries signed an agreement on mutual cooperation at Windsor, and close economic ties were secured by the Treaty of Methuen in 1703. British support helped Portugal to assert its independence after 1640 and retain a large part of its overseas empire. However, this ancient alliance did not affect the Portuguese policy of neutrality in World War II, although the UK and the US were given bases in the Azores. Subsequently, the American air base at Lajes was taken over by NATO, which Portugal joined in 1949.
Due to the Soviet veto in the UN Security Council, Portugal was not admitted to this organization until 1955. From 1960 to 1986, Portugal was a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Portuguese colonies in 1970 occupied an area of ​​over 2 million square meters. km. The largest of these were Angola and Mozambique in Africa. In Asia, Portugal owned the colonies of Macau in southeast China and East Timor in the Malay Archipelago. In 1974-1975 all African colonies became independent.
After the liquidation of the Portuguese colonial system in Africa, relations were restored with the USSR, the countries of Eastern Europe and many countries in Africa and Asia.
Relations with Indonesia escalated after it occupied East Timor in 1975 and facts of ill-treatment of the inhabitants of this former Portuguese colony became known. In 1999, Indonesia, under public pressure, withdrew its troops from East Timor.
In accordance with the 1987 agreement, the administration of the Portuguese colony of Macao (Macao) was to pass to China in December 1999.
In the late 1970s, Portugal's ties with NATO strengthened. January 1, 1986 Portugal joined the European Community (EU). Portugal is part of the union of Portuguese-speaking countries, which also includes Brazil and the former Portuguese colonies - Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde.
See below
PORTUGAL. ECONOMY
PORTUGAL. STORY
PORTUGAL. HISTORY FROM THE 18TH CENTURY
LITERATURE

Spain and Portugal. M., 1947 Biro P. Portugal. M., 1952 Kolomiets G.N. Essays on the recent history of Portugal. M., 1965 Kritsky L.G. Portugal. M., 1981 Stroganov A.O. Economy of Portugal. M., 1985 Pisarets I.G. Portugal in search of a new path. M., 1986 Variash O.I., Chernykh A.P. Portugal: roads of history. M., 1990 Kaplanov R.M. Portugal after World War II, 1945-1974. M., 1992

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open society. 2000 .

Portugal is generously warmed by the southern sun, because it lies in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, and Africa is already a little to the south of it. From the east, a narrow strip of Portugal is supported by Spain, and western shores washed by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean subtropical climate provides hot summers and mild winters with temperatures above zero (5-10 degrees).

What is the beauty of Portugal for tourists?

In terms of tourism, this dear country, although it offers the same set of tourist services as other southern European countries (Spain and France): excellent hotels, magnificent beaches, ancient sights, excellent cuisine. Usually wealthy tourists go to Portugal, who are fed up with a Spanish holiday, and Portugal is within easy reach. Fastidious wealthy tourists are also attracted to Portugal by the fact that, due to the high cost, there is no mass flow of budget vacationers. And you can have a luxurious rest in luxury style.

Overview of the beaches

Portugal attracts many tourists in addition to attractions with the opportunity to soak up the famous beaches of the Atlantic.

Algarve

These include the beach in the Algarve - the southernmost point of Portugal. Everything is the best here: the most luxurious beaches, the most luxurious hotels and the most insane prices. The Algarve coast impresses with its natural bizarre forms of limestone monoliths. It is the winds and waves that have created such amazing creations.
The infrastructure of the Algarve is designed for an exciting family holiday: a water park, yacht trips, botanical gardens with bright colors, shows of marine animals, excursions to ancient fortresses - children will be delighted.

Another luxury resort - Estoril - is also well equipped for a fun and active rest. Famous water park with many attractions, entertainment programs on the beach will capture the attention of the children. Respectable adults enjoy playing golf on immaculate green slopes.

Celebrities often come to Estoril to relax, and some have bought villas here, in particular, Linda Evangelista.

"Gates of Hell" - Boca de Inferno

In Estoril, you need to see two main attractions:

• Boca de Inferno (the so-called "Mouth of Hell"). This is an arch in a monolith of rock washed out by raging waves, a favorite place for photo shoots.
• The citadel is a well-preserved fortress on a high rock, built to protect against enemies.

Very close to Estoril is another resort beloved by Bohemians and wealthy gentlemen. This is Cascais. The two resorts are connected by the long beach of Cascais. In recent years, it has turned into a youth party center. In this town, the old quarters with houses made of large masonry harmoniously coexist and the wide promenade, lively day and night, with many nightlife establishments.

In Caiscais, the most "crazy" beach is Guinho, which is washed by the raging waves of the Atlantic. This is where the biggest wave is. Extreme lovers gather in Guinho - windsurfers. Fans of a quiet beach holiday prefer Riberia or Torre.

This ex fishing village, and now a fashionable resort just 12 kilometers from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, attracts tourists with its fine wine and the atmosphere of the province. Carcavelos is also convenient because you can easily get to the capital from it. It is also full of young people who come specially for wine tasting.

Special mention should be made of Carcavelos wine. It is famous far beyond the borders of Portugal. Its bouquet includes up to 9 varieties of grapes! Wine Carcavelo - dry, reddish color with a wide palette of different grape shades.

Exploring popular resorts, we got very close to the capital of Portugal - Lisbon. Let's get inside this hot southern city and let's take a look.

On the streets of the capital

City on the western tip of Europe

Lisbon is the most western capital. It is located near Cape Cabo de Roca, which, as you know, symbolizes the end of the Eurasian continent and the beginning of the boundless Atlantic Ocean.

On the seven hills

The city on the hills greets travelers with picturesque streets running up and rapidly flowing down to the ocean, beautiful tiny balconies immersed in flowers, street lamps in the style of the Middle Ages, charming yellow trams. Here you want to wander around tirelessly and take characteristic photos of nooks and crannies.

Get on the tram number 28, so you will see almost the entire city. This number passes through all quarters of Lisbon.

Lisbon is not at all like any metropolitan capital. There are no buzzing traffic jams here, there is no smog and crowds of hurrying gloomy people. Perhaps this gentle southern sun colors the faces of the townspeople with smiles?

There are few sights in Lisbon that have been preserved from ancient times. Blame the earthquake of 1799, which called for a giant tsunami, which ended the destruction started by the earthquake. The city was practically razed to the ground, only a few relics remained intact. But Lisbon, just like a Phoenix bird, was reborn from ruins and ashes, restored according to the designs of the Marquis de Pombal. Today's tourists admire skillfully made copies of great monuments and fortresses.

Like any other city, there are places in Lisbon " must see”, which are the ones you need to check out. The main attraction can be seen from everywhere. This is the Castle of St. George, standing on top of a hill.

This symmetrical proud building until 1147 served as the residence of the Mauritanian emir. Then it was home to many dynasties of Portuguese kings. The surroundings of the Castle, in particular, the Alfama district, are the most medieval narrow streets paved with cobblestones. Historical films are often filmed here.

The facades of old houses are completely painted in the ancient azulejos technique. And it's insanely beautiful.

Cathedral

The cathedral is one of the few buildings that were spared by the elements. Its walls have reached our time almost in their original form. Former monastery Carmo, built for the Carmelite Order, shows us two Gothic towers with a bay window in the middle, on which a breathtaking clock flaunts.

Almost every country has its own statue of Jesus Christ, there is one in Portugal, raised above the city. His outstretched arms protect the peace of the townspeople and, according to the Portuguese, took away the hardships of the Second World War from them. As you know, Portugal remained neutral. The statue ascended over Lisbon in 1959, and the image of Christ was taken by example.

More castles, palaces and surroundings

Even if you came to Lisbon for a short time, still find some time and at least briefly inspect the magnificent palaces of different eras:

Take a trip to Belen, this is the outskirts of Lisbon. There, in the middle of a most beautiful park, stands the no less beautiful castle of Jeronimos (the monastery of the Jeronimites). Built at the beginning of the 16th century, the amazing complex is a mixture of styles - Arabic script and Gothic (the so-called Manueline style). The castle was founded to commemorate the safe return from India of Vasco de Gama, the great navigator who paved the route from Europe to India.

1. Portugal is part of the Schengen area, so you will need a visa.
2. From Moscow you can fly to Portugal by flights Moscow-Faro or Moscow-Lisbon with a transfer in Zurich, or Paris, or Munich.
3. To rent a car, you will need a license, driving experience of at least a year, and you may also be asked to leave a deposit.
4. Walking around Lisbon is interesting, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes without heels. Climbing hills is better in sports shoes.
5. Many museums in the capital open once a week for free. Information can be found on the websites of these museums.
6. In Portugal, they observe the siesta from about 12 to 16. At this time, almost all shops are closed. But they start working early, from 8 am to 8 pm.
7. Restaurants in Lisbon close at around 10pm. Plan dinner no later than 7-8 o'clock.

Portugal is a fertile country for travel. There is something so attractive in its isolation, a kind of patriarchy and conciseness. Write to us if you have already been to the westernmost tip of our mainland and what feelings you experienced at the same time.