Main Cities

 

Lisbon - is the capital city and largest city of Portugal, Lisbon is recognized as an alpha city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism.

 

Porto - is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Faro - is the southernmost city in Portugal.

 

Portuguese culture and traditions is the result of a complex flow of different civilizations during the past Millennia - Pre-Roman civilizations, the Phoenician-Carthaginian world, the Roman period , the Moorish invasion of Hispania and the subsequent Reconquista. The Portuguese participate in many cultural activities, indulging their appreciation of art, music, drama, and dance. Portugal has a rich traditional folklore, with great regional variety. Portuguese are famous with their hand painted ceramic tiles, carving, needle work, pottery influenced by Chinese.

 

Famous people

• Vasco da Gama - the most renown navigator, explorer and adventurer.
• Ferdinand Magellan - a Portuguese navigator and explorer.
• Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage - poet and dramatist.
• José de Sousa Saramago - a Nobel-prize winning writer.
• Amália Rodrigues, Marisa - singers.
• Christiano Ronaldo - football player.

 

Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is characterized by rich, filling and full-flavored dishes and is closely related to Mediterranean cuisine.

Bacalhau (cod) - it is said that there are more than 365 ways to cook cod, one for every day of the year. The simpler fish dishes are often flavored with virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar.

Pastel de nata - is a Portuguese egg tart pastry.

Porto (Port wine) - typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties.

Basic words in Portuguese