Discover Portugal, the country that will eDOMINATE you! |
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Published in Portugal - Social interactions and entertainment - 13 - 29 Apr 17 03:23
Portugalis a fascinating country with a proud history that can be felt all throughout the country - from its capital, down to each , picture-perfect village.
When the military module is getting ready to start I think you should be informed of the country that will eDOMINATE it!
1. Half of the New World once belonged to Portugal. In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed which essentially gave Portugal the eastern half of the New Word, including Brazil, Africa, and Asia. The Portuguese Empire was actually the first global empire in history! It was also one of the longest-lived colonial powers, lasting for almost six centuries from when Ceuta was captured in 1415, until Macau (now China) was handed-over in 1999. In 1808, the King of Portugal, Dom João moved to Brazil and proclaimed a single state which included Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The single state was called the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, which was effective from 1815-1822. The new capital of the kingdom was Rio de Janeiro. The kingdom was disestablished in 1822 after the King returned to Portugal in 1821, leaving his son, Prince Dom Pedro to rule Brazil who in turn declared independence from Portugal. The Portuguese Empire was huge - its former territories are annotated in green.

See what will happen to you.
2. Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries. Over 236 million people world-wide are native Portuguese speakers. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Principe, Sao Tome, and Equatorial Guinea. Portuguese is also spoken in Goa (India), Macao, and East Timor.
Have you started to learn Portuguese?
3. Portugal is the oldest country in Europe. Portugal has had the same defined borders since 1139, making it the oldest nation-state in Europe. Afonso Henriques was proclaimed the first King of Portugal in 1139 and the country remained a kingdom for almost 800 years thereafter, until 1910.
Old but very wise.
4. The oldest bookstore in the world is in Portugal´s capital. Bertrand bookstore (pictured below, located at the corner), was established in 1732, is located in the capital of Portugal - Lisbon.

5. Portugal is the largest cork producer in the World. Portugal produces 70% of the world´s cork exports. Main importers of Portuguese cork are: Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. The country also has the largest cork forest.
What would be of you without us? Sad.
6. One of the oldest universities in Europe is in Portugal. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290, making it one of the oldest universities on the European continent.
7. Portugal has the longest bridge in Europe. The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) long, making it the longest in Europe.

8. Portugal and England have the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was signed in 1373 and is in force until this day! Both countries entered wars to defend the other, including the United Kingdom entering the Iberian Peninsular War and Portugal entering World War I. Talk about having someone´s back!
10. Portuguese Fado was classified as world cultural heritage by UNESCO. Fado is a music genre that originates in urban Lisbon. It´s a type of mournful and heart-touching folk music sung by the common people. The music genre was recently added to the World´s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
11. Portugal was the first colonial power to abolish slavery. Portugal abolished slavery all the way back in 1761 - that´s half a century before Britain, France, Spain, or the United States.
Don´t worry, we are civilized. We don´t enslave anyone!
12. In 1755, Lisbon was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in European history. On the 1st of November in 1755, Lisbon was struck by about a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami, and fires that brought the city to rubble! Furthermore, the earthquake struck on All Saints Day, a major holiday when the churches were filled with burning candles. The earthquake struck, toppling the candles, causing major fires. 275,000 residents were killed and 85% of the buildings were destroyed! People talk about the devastating earthquake to this day.
13. The world-famous Port wine (also known as Porto), a sweet Portuguese fortified wine from the Douro Valley, has been imitated in several countries - notably Australia, South Africa, India and the United States.