Facts & Figures
We
are one of the oldest nations in Europe. Many people passed by our
territory before the nation of Portugal was created and thus we are the country with the oldest
borders in Europe.
The Portuguese language is spoken on five Continents and is the 5th most spoken language in the world and the 6th most used on the Internet. The Portuguese-speaking market is the 6th largest economic power in the world.
We invented the maritime compass, the breech cannon, the prefabrication of buildings in stone, the Latin sail, the salted cod, the 'pastel de nata' custard tart, the prepaid card for mobile phones, and the toll payments for motorways.
Portugal established a foothold in Macau for over 400 years; the colonies of Portuguese fisherman in Canada are older than Canada itself.
During WWII we welcomed many refugees and kings due to our neutral position.
The Portuguese Empire lasted six centuries; it was one of the longest global empires in history. We also have the world's oldest alliance in force: United Kingdom - Portugal.
53% of the external trade of EU passes through waters that are under Portuguese jurisdiction. We have the 11th largest exclusive economic zone in the world, 15 times the size of continental Portugal. The expansion of the continental platform puts us in10th place. The 9th place is held by Brazil where Portuguese is also spoken.
Since May 2011 the Portuguese economy has been implementing an economic and financial adjustment program, aimed at strengthening financial stability and improving growth conditions.
These are particularly challenging times but Portuguese banks and companies have shown strong resilience and adjustment capacity.
Reforms to raise competitiveness, employment and potential growth have been progressing at a strong pace. And firms have been expanding the relevant market of the Portuguese economy to rapidly growing economies in Africa, Latin America and Asia, with a particular focus on countries with strong historical and cultural ties with Portugal.
The Portuguese language is spoken on five Continents and is the 5th most spoken language in the world and the 6th most used on the Internet. The Portuguese-speaking market is the 6th largest economic power in the world.
We invented the maritime compass, the breech cannon, the prefabrication of buildings in stone, the Latin sail, the salted cod, the 'pastel de nata' custard tart, the prepaid card for mobile phones, and the toll payments for motorways.
Portugal established a foothold in Macau for over 400 years; the colonies of Portuguese fisherman in Canada are older than Canada itself.
During WWII we welcomed many refugees and kings due to our neutral position.
The Portuguese Empire lasted six centuries; it was one of the longest global empires in history. We also have the world's oldest alliance in force: United Kingdom - Portugal.
53% of the external trade of EU passes through waters that are under Portuguese jurisdiction. We have the 11th largest exclusive economic zone in the world, 15 times the size of continental Portugal. The expansion of the continental platform puts us in10th place. The 9th place is held by Brazil where Portuguese is also spoken.
Since May 2011 the Portuguese economy has been implementing an economic and financial adjustment program, aimed at strengthening financial stability and improving growth conditions.
These are particularly challenging times but Portuguese banks and companies have shown strong resilience and adjustment capacity.
Reforms to raise competitiveness, employment and potential growth have been progressing at a strong pace. And firms have been expanding the relevant market of the Portuguese economy to rapidly growing economies in Africa, Latin America and Asia, with a particular focus on countries with strong historical and cultural ties with Portugal.