Portugal




COUNTRY INFORMATION


Official name

Portuguese Republic


Capital

Lisbon


Coordinates

39°30’ N, 8°00’ W


Location

Portugal is located in Southwestern Europe, in western part of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the west and Spain on the east.


Area

Total area: 92 391 sq km
Land area: 91 951 sq km
Water area: 440 sq km


Land boundaries

1 214 km


Coastline

1 793 km


Administrative division

Portugal is divided into 18 districts (distritos) and 2 autonomous regions (regioes autonomas).


Political system

President is the chief of state and is elected every five years. The leader of the majority party/coalition is nominated by the President as Prime Minister, the head of the government. Council of Ministers is also appointed by the President. Members of unicameral Parliament (Assembleia da Republica) are elected for four-year term.


Population

10 676 910


Ethnic groups

Portuguese 98%, other 2%


Religions

Roman Catholic 84%, other 6%