Portugal, this narrow strip of land in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula is bordered to the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east by Spain.. 550 km from north to south and about 220 km from east to west, so the extent of the 88. 967 sq km country.. 10.6 million people live in 18 districts, with the hinterland and the south being very sparsely populated..

Already 133 BC. Lisbon is the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania.. In 1139, much of the country was liberated from the rule of the Moors, and Alfonso I Henriques became the first king of the country.. The age of explorers begins in the 14th century.. Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and Magellan bring the country prestige and wealth.. After the assassination of Carlos I 1910, the Republic is proclaimed.. After a military coup Antonio Salazar 1932 head of government.. The dictatorial regime was overthrown in 1974, through the nonviolent carnation revolution..
For details on the history of Portugal, visit ONLINE here: <1001> Link}

The landscape is characterized by
beaches with steep cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches
• vast, agricultural plains
• Mountain ranges with their peaks near the 2000 m

This diversity and the great wealth of cultural sites attract many visitors to the country each year, making tourism one of the state´s main sources of income..

     

Viticulture is also of enormous economic importance.. There are 41 recognized wine regions in Portugal.. Red and port wines are grown inland and white wines in the cooler north.. The Douro Valley is home to probably the most famous variety - Port Wine..

     


On our journey through Portugal, we repeatedly encounter three terms that are so characteristic of this country ,.

Azulejos : The Moors brought the ´al zuleiq´ «polished stones» to Spain and Portugal.. In the ancient Orient, the tiles were already used for wall cladding.. The oldest azulejos, which were originally colorful, can be found in the Paco Real in Sintra and the Conceicao Monastery in Beja.. They date from the 15th century. In the middle of the 17th century, a change in design took place.. The multicolor was replaced by cobalt blue and white.. In the Rococo pastel colors were used «Queluz».. Today you will find the Azulejos in many variants and not only at palaces and churches but also at the homes of ordinary people..

     

Manuelinik : Manuelinik is a Portuguese style that developed under the rule of Manuel I from late Gothic.. The lush ornaments represent a unique decorative style of Portuguese art. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belem is the finest example of this style..

     

Fado : In the early 19th century, fado began in Lisbon´s poor neighborhoods.. The melancholic melodies are about love pains, longings and strokes of fate.. Fado quickly spread in Portugal and new variants emerged..
When the Fado is sung almost exclusively by women, the Fadista, the Coimbra Fado is an exception. It is sung only by men..

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More and more WOMO riders are choosing the country for wintering.. The infrastructure for campers has been significantly expanded over the past decade.. Open all year round campsites and pitches, extremely friendly and helpful people and the variety of a guarantee for a great holiday..




~halifax7~halifax7~, 2013-07-03