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Overview
Emerging from the 12th-century Reconquista, Portugal launched Europe's first oceanic empire, rounding Africa, reaching India in 1498 and colonizing Brazil in 1500.
Basic Information
CapitalLisbon
Population10.4 million
Area92,212 km²
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
LanguagesPortuguese
RegionWestern Europe
History Timeline
- 1139Afonso I proclaimed King of Portugal
- 1415Capture of Ceuta begins overseas expansion
- 1498Vasco da Gama reaches India
- 1500Cabral claims Brazil
- 1755Great Lisbon earthquake
- 1974Carnation Revolution ends dictatorship
Ancient Peoples
- Lusitanians
- Celts
- Romans
- Suebi
- Visigoths
Ancient Kingdoms
- County of Portugal
- Kingdom of Portugal
Empires
- Portuguese Empire
Religions
- Roman Catholicism
Culture
Fado music, Manueline architecture, Camões's Lusiads and the Age of Discovery legacy.
Language
Portuguese is spoken by over 260 million people across four continents.
Important Battles
- Battle of Aljubarrota1385
Secured independence from Castile
- Battle of Diu1509
Portuguese naval supremacy in the Indian Ocean
Historical Figures
Henry the Navigator
1394 – 1460
Sponsor of Atlantic exploration
Vasco da Gama
c. 1460 – 1524
First European to India by sea
Marquis of Pombal
1699 – 1782
Enlightenment reformer
Archaeological Sites
- Foz Côa rock art
- Conímbriga Roman city
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Belém Tower
- Jerónimos Monastery
- Historic Évora
- Sintra Cultural Landscape
Dynasties
- Burgundy
- Aviz
- Braganza
Colonial Period
Colonized Brazil (1500 – 1822), Angola, Mozambique, Goa, Macau and Timor.
Modern History
Democratic since 1974; joined EU in 1986.