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CLIMATE
Portugal
has a maritime temperate climate and it varies
according to regions.The mountainous regions of
the north are considerably colder than the south.
Winter snows in the Serra da Estrêla and
the Serra do Gerês near the northern Spanish
border. The weather along the northern coasts
and in the center of the country is milder; the
capital, Lisbon has an average high temperature
of 14°C in January and 27°C in August.
Northern Portugal is better suited for agriculture
than the south because of abundant rainfall.
Southern Portugal is warmer. The ocean moderates
coastal temperatures, but the interior of the
Alentejo can be quite warm, with temperatures
sometimes above 40°C during the summer months.
Because of its Mediterranean climate, most of
Portugal's rainfall occurs in the winter.
Country name:
Conventional
long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Administrative
divisions:
For administrative
purpose Portugal is divided into 18 districts
and 2 autonomous regions* which are as follows:-
Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca,
Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda,
Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem,
Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Religions:
Portugal
is a Roman Catholic country by history and tradition.
Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)
There are also small numbers of Jews and Muslims
in Portugal.
Languages:
Portuguese
is the official language and Mirandese is used
as official also as local language. In recent
years English has replaced French as the most
common second language taught in Portuguese schools.
Agriculture
- products:
grain, potatoes,
tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats,
swine, poultry, fish, dairy products.
Industries:
Textiles
and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals
and metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish
canning; rubber and plastic products; ceramics;
electronics and communications equipment; rail
transportation equipment; aerospace equipment;
ship construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism.
Literacy:
Definition:
up to age 15 compulsory for both boys and girls.
Total population: 93.3%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.3% (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
At birth:
1.07 male(s) per female
Under 15 years: 1.09 male(s) per female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s) per female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s) per female
total population: 0.94 male(s) per female
(All above are according to 2005 EST.)
National holiday:
10 June (1580)-Portugal
Day
note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered
national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died.
Christmas and New Year are celebrated in the whole
Portugal in the month of December.
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