Portugal Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Western Europe.

Language

Portuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.

Area

92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 230 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.

Population

10.7 million (2008 estimate).

Population Density

115.8 per sq km.

Capital City

Lisbon. Population: 600,000; 2 million in Greater Lisbon (2008 estimates).

Government

Republic since 1910.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Jose Socrates since 2005.

Head of State

President Anibal Cavaco Silva since 2006.

Religion

Roman Catholic.

Recent History

The Socialist Party headed by Prime Minister José Sócrates, a former environment minister, was elected into power in 2005. On taking office, Sócrates has sought to revitalize Portugal's sluggish economy. He cut government spending by slashing pensions and raising the retirement age (from 60 to 65), which prompted waves of protests by workers. Economically, Sócrates has had some successes, lowering Portugal's debt to 2.7% of GDP (attaining an EU-mandated goal a year ahead of schedule), although the country still has fairly stagnant growth and unchecked unemployment (7.7%).

Portugal has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in Europe in recent years, with roughly 20% of its energy coming from renewable sources. Recent initiatives include the opening of an enormous solar energy station in 2008 that powers 30,000 homes, numerous hydropower plants and a growing assortment of wind energy farms that bring green energy to over 750,000 households.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +351. There are call boxes in most villages and all towns; there are also public telephones in many cafes and bars, from which international calls may be made.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage exists across the whole country.

Internet

There are Internet cafes in all urban areas, and some post offices offer Internet facilities. Wi-Fi access is available in various hotels and public buildings.

Media

Public TV and radio services are operated by Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP). Today, Portugal's commercial stations provide tough competition for the public broadcaster.

Post

Airmail to European destinations from continental Portugal and the Azores takes three days; from Madeira, up to five days.usually Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Main post offices have longer hours and some are also open on Saturday and Sunday. The post office at Lisbon Airport is open 24 hours a day.

Press

• Each region has its own Portuguese-language dailies.
• The Portugal News is an English-language newspaper published in print and online.
• Portuguese dailies include Diario Noticias, Publico and Expresso.

Radio

• Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) is Portugal's public broadcasting organization.
• Radio Comercial and Radio Clube Portugues are two of the commercial channels.
• Radio Renascenca is very popular and owned by the Roman Catholic Church.
• Around 300 local and regional radio stations operate in Portugal.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
8 Mar Mardi Gras (Carnival)
22 Apr Good Friday
23 Apr Easter Sunday
25 Apr Freedom Day
1 May Labor Day
10 Jun Portugal Day
23 Jun Corpus Christi
15 Aug Assumption
5 Oct Republic Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival)
6 Apr Good Friday
7 Apr Easter Sunday
25 Apr Freedom Day
1 May Labor Day
7 Jun Corpus Christi
10 Jun Portugal Day
15 Aug Assumption
5 Oct Republic Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day

Contact Information

Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the UK

11 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PP, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5331.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1730.

Portuguese Consulate General in the UK

3 Portland Place, London W1B 1HR, UK
Tel: (020) 7291 3770 or 09065 508 948 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1300, appointment only (closed UK and Portuguese public holidays).

Portuguese National Tourist Office in the UK

Portuguese Embassy, 11 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PP, UK
Tel: 0845 355 1212 (brochure request and information service; local call rate).
Website: www.visitportugal.com

Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the USA

2125 Kalorama Road, NW Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 328 8610.

Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office in the USA

590 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA
Tel: (646) 723 0200.
Website: www.visitportugal.com