COUNTRY INFORMATION
Official name
Portuguese Republic
Capital
Lisbon
Coordinates
39°30’ N, 8°00’ W
Location
Portugal is located in Southwestern Europe, in western part of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the west and Spain on the east.
Area
Total area: 92 391 sq km
Land area: 91 951 sq km
Water area: 440 sq km
Land boundaries
1 214 km
Coastline
1 793 km
Administrative division
Portugal is divided into 18 districts (distritos) and 2 autonomous regions (regioes autonomas).
Political system
President is the chief of state and is elected every five years. The leader of the majority party/coalition is nominated by the President as Prime Minister, the head of the government. Council of Ministers is also appointed by the President. Members of unicameral Parliament (Assembleia da Republica) are elected for four-year term.
Population
10 676 910
Ethnic groups
Portuguese 98%, other 2%
Religions
Roman Catholic 84%, other 6%