About Portugal Property
About Portugal Property
Portugal is a democratic republic located on the west
and southwest parts of the Iberian Peninsula in south western Europe.
Portugal is bordered on the north and east by Spain and by the Atlantic
Ocean to the west and south.
Portugal is famous for it's history and cultural richness, and is
perfect for a holiday of excursions, sun, sea, and sports. The southern
coastal Algarve with its light, soft sandy beaches is the country's most
popular holiday destination.
Portugal was at one time the most powerful and the wealthiest country in
the world, and two thirds of the world was discovered by the Portuguese
explorers.
Despite its turbulent past Portugal is a stable country. The monarchy
ended in 1910 and the republic was founded. In 1926 Salazar established
his almost 40 years of dictatorship. The country became a modern
democracy after a peaceful military coup April 25, 1974 that began the
rebirth of the country. Joined EU in 1986, elected as President of EU in
2000, joined the Euro currency in 2002. With the oldest national
boundaries in Europe, Portugal is both ancient and newly born.
Eating in Portugal is often a visitor's most memorable characteristic of
the country. Each region of Portugal has its own traditional dishes,
including various kinds of meat, sea-food, diverse and fresh fish. The
Romans associated Portugal with Bacchus, their God of Wine. Today the
country is known by wine lovers, and its wines have won several
international prizes.
- About Portugal:
- Voted number one in World for property investment
- Approximately the size of Austria, population 10.3 million
(Capital Lisbon)
- All year round climate & fantastic beaches
- Superb sporting facilities: golf, water sports, skiing
- Low cost of living
- Portugal has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the EU
- Very good infrastructure trains, buses, taxis
- Huge producer of wine and port
- Hosted UEFA football championships in 2004
- About The Algarve:
- 30 top golf courses. Will host the World Golf Championship in
November 2005
- Best climate in Europe, similar to California 13 to 18 degrees
in Winter, 28 to 35 degrees in summer
- 2 hours from UK with direct flights from almost every airport
- Stunning beaches, scuba diving, waterskiing, sailing, tennis
centres, equestrian centres, casinos, Michelin star restaurants,
marinas
- Good health care, private clinics
- Most Portuguese speak English
- New motorway linking the whole of the Algarve to the capital,
Lisbon
- Brand new marina in Albufeira
Portugal has developed an increasingly service-based
economy since joining the European Union in 1986, a development that
began with the boom of the 1960s. Over the past decade, successive
governments have privatised many state-controlled firms and liberalised
key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications
sectors.
As of 2004, economic growth has been above the EU average for much of
the past decade, but GDP per capita stands at just 75% of that of the
leading EU economies. Portuguese GDP grew 1.5% in real terms in the
second quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003, by virtue
of favourable domestic conditions.
Going away this year? - Save money with a 0044.co.uk roaming sim card!
|
