Topography of Portugal:

Portugal has a very long sea coast, a reason for many sailing adventures and arrival of various civilizations in the past history of Portugal. Portugal has a mixed population from different origins settled here and influenced the present language of Portugal totally different from the Portugal’s original language. Besides all these upheavals, Portugal is the oldest nation of Europe.

Brief History of Portugal:

During the 12^th Century Portugal gained it’s independence from the erstwhile ruling kingdom. Thus Count Afonso Heneriques was the first king as per the wishes of Portugal people. With the conquest of Algarve Portugal possessed its continental border. During the thirteenth century a University was founded at Coimbra in Portugal.

Territories Archipelagos of Azores and Madeira were discovered and form part of Portugal. The Portuguese attained their First Feat among European Nations by sailing to Africa, bringing back wealth of treasures.

Portugal witnessed Dynasty problem and were ruled under Spanish King in the beginning of sixteenth century, which was taken over by a Portugese King. King Joao V, an art lover built a huge palace and a convent at Mafra. The water supply system to Lisbon was completed in the 19^th century.

The monarchy failed and a Republic was established in 1910.

Portugal Political & Administrative Set Up:

Portugal has the status of Democratic Republic and its rule is governed by the Constitution of 1976 with Lisbon, Portugal’s Mega sized city being its capital. There are four main wings, which in combination form part of the Government run by the President of the Republic.

The Parliament is comprised of Assembly of the Republic. The Government is headed by a Prime Minister. There are courts to look after judicial function in the country. Portugal has no state religion hence making it a secular state.

The president, gets elected to serve a five-year term, has a supervisory non-executive role. The government is run by the Prime Minister. He selects the Council of Ministers and secretaries to help him run the government.

The courts are set up to make several categories forming the judicial, administrative, and fiscal Services to handle respective issues of the country. The supreme courts are courts of last appeal. A thirteen-member constitutional court oversees the constitutionality of the laws.

Climate of Portugal:

Portugal’s climate differs drastically from one region to the other due to factors like latitude, distance from sea and mountains on the land resulting into tolerable winters in Algarve in contrast to colder regions at Porto e Norte near Spain.

The Temperature is mild as compared to rest of Europe. Serra da Estrela mountain, witness snowfall and is a place to do skiing during winters. The summer season is hot and dry witnessed in the inland regions as compared to coastal regions, where the temperatures are lower. Weather is good in the month of November commonly called “St. Martin’s Summer” because saint’s day falls on 11^th November.

Azores and Madeira have a mild climate all the time because of varying geographical positioning in contrast to other territories of Portugal.

Monetary System:

Portugal is member of EU since 1986 and Euro is its official Currency, which is common to other 16 countries of Europe.

Through out Portugal - Automatic Teller Machines ATMs are installed and are effectively dispensing cash to the needs of the population

Exchange of currency can be made at Banks and with the help of automatic currency exchange machines.

Portugal population has access to Popular Credit Cards of Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, Euroclub etc. which are supported by good customer care service.

Communication Links:

Telephones Services:

There are coin operated public telephone booths. Virtual cards are also available, which can be procured from Telecom shops, post offices and some designated public counters.

The telephone numbers have 9 digits for making a call outside Portugal digits 00 and 351 are to be suffixed.

Similarly for making a call abroad, dial 00, the country code, the area code followed by the number to be accessed. Information of country codes is available at the booths.

Mobile phones:

Portugal has the highest number of mobile phone users and the service is provided by TMN, Vodafone and Optimus all have roaming arrangements with international mobile phone service providers. There is good coverage by these network arrangements.

Under the Portuguese Highway Rules one can not use mobile phones, while driving the vehicle except when there is hands free appliance.

Internet Services:

Internet services can be accessed on payment in some cafés, in post offices having Net post service. A number of hotels and public places like Airports, Conference centers, Restaurants, Service Areas in motor-ways and shopping centers, wireless internet service is available.

What to take to Porto is question to be well aware of, before proceeding on a trip to Porto. For going to another place from one country to another country one requires proper planning considering the information about its weather.

A carry bag with multiple pouches and partitions to separately pack all the daily outdoor utility items safely and securely so that at the time of need of any item, can be conveniently taken out, without disturbing other items kept in the carry bag. A person who is doing the packing must know where each article is packed.

While going to Porto one must make a list of items to carry with and tick mark to ensure the same has been put in the carry bag. One can not rely on the personal memory a written list and ticking each item is the proper way before commencing the journey. Following items should be carried along with:

1. Adequate number of clothing for day time and night time wear considering the number of days one is going to spend at the trip and the washing activity takes more time.

2. Spare Blanket and pillow if during there is night journey in the train.

3. Light refreshment items during the journey.

4. A Camera with Flash Light, Binoculars.

5. Flat comfortable shoes, because the streets in Porto are in steep height and have uneven surface.

6. There should be water proof material for Protection from rain because the rain downpour is very heavy.

7. Carry all essential medications like eye drops, analgesic tablets, common cold tablets and vaporub, anti vomiting tablets, medicines for hyperacidity, loose motions etc.

8. Sun Screen Application, because there is very bright sunshine to protect skin burning.

9. Adequate quantity of Photographic films, battery Cells, memory cards etc.

10. A Portuguese Phrase book – try to learn few phrases commonly used so that you can communicate some thing, which you want to in local language.

11. A Bubble wrapping sheet for transporting pottery/ bottles of Porto to home safely.

12. Traveling light is a universal suggestion, which makes traveling in public transport convenient.

13. If you can manage you are advised to hire a cab for a comfortable journey.

14. All the tourists in winter are holding the essential items and always have a rain protection kit. There is no snow at Porto. When it is raining or cold winds are blowing one requires adequate protection with water proof clothes and wind cheaters.

15. The temperatures touches 10ºC medium temperature it can rise within the range of 15 ºC to 20 ºC.

16. One should have protection from flu fever by proper vaccination before undertaking the journey. It becomes very unbearable if one falls ill while traveling.

17. Porto beach water is rich in iodine, which can harm skin. Suitable Cream should be applied on the skin.

18. Porto has a hot weather during summers only light clothes are required. During winter you require warm clothes and some thing to get protection from winds, when you are in the ocean region or winds are blowing all over.