The Portuguese Republic is located on the west and southwest parts of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, and is the western-most country in continental Europe. Portugal is bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. In addition, Portugal includes two archipelagos in the Atlantic; The Azores (Açores) and Madeira Islands.

Portugal has witnessed a constant flow of different civilizations during the past 3100 years; Iberian, Tartessian, Celtic, Phoenician and Carthaginian, Greek, Roman, Germanic (Suevi and Visigoth) and Moorish cultures have all made an imprint on the country. The naming of Portugal itself reveals most of the country's early history, stemming from the Roman name Portus Cale, a possible mixture of Greek and Latin meaning "Beautiful Port", or even mixed Celtic and Latin or mixed Phoenician and Latin.

A nation of explorers that has absorbed habits and traditions from such early civilizations and from the regions that it discovered throughout the world during the Portuguese empire.

History

Portugal traces its roots as a nation to 24 June 1128, with the Battle of São Mamede by Afonso I. On 5 October 1143 Portugal was formally recognized.

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Culture

Portugal is an ancient nation and for more than 1000 years it has maintained its specific culture through a self-governing venture while being influenced by the various civilizations that crossed the Mediterranean world.

The discoveries

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a major economic, political, and cultural power, its empire stretching from Brazil to the Indies.

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Geography and climate

Continental Portugal is split in two by its main river, the Tagus (Tejo).

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