Portugal - Bồ Đào Nha

Portugal (Portuguese: Portugal), the current state name is the Portuguese Republic (Portuguese: Republica Portuguesa), is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of the European continent. Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south Spain in the East and the North. The Azores and Madeira Islands off the Atlantic Ocean are also part of Portugal.

overview

History

On the territory of present-day Portugal, humans have been present since prehistoric times. Ancient peoples such as the Gallaeci, Lusitania, Celts, Cynetes, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Ancient Romans and many others virtue such as Suevi, Buri, and Visigoth have left some influence on the history of Portuguese territory today. Portuguese territory was then incorporated into the Roman Empire as the province of Lusitania. Roman culture left a deep imprint, especially in terms of language: Portuguese was originally from the Latin of the Romans. In the 5th century, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the original tribes virtue invade. In the early 8th century, the Muslim Moors from North Africa opened the conquest of Lusitania, captured most of the Iberian peninsula, and conquered the original emirates. virtue follow God about a relationship.

In the following centuries, the Christian people tried to drive out the Muslims in the "Reconquista". Province of Portugal was established and was part of the Kingdom of Galicia. Since the kingdom was founded and recognized in 1143 and had a stable border in 1249, Portugal claims to be the oldest nation-state in Europe.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to maritime exploration, Portugal established a global empire that included colonies in Africa, Asia and South America, becoming one of the largest economies in the world. The most powerful military and political power in the world. In 1580, Portugal allied with Spain form the Iberian League, however in 1640 Portugal also consolidated its sovereignty and independence during the Portuguese Restoration War which resulted in a new dynasty being established and the return to the split of the two countries. dynasty and empire.

In 1755, there was an earthquake in Lisbon Spain and France invasion, the loss of its largest colony, Brazil, led to political instability and economic potential as well as a decline in global power throughout the 19th century. In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown, Republic was established and then dictatorship. With the Portuguese Colonial War and the Carnation Revolution coup d'état in 1974, the dictatorship was overthrown in Lisbon and Portugal returned the last of its overseas provinces (mostly in Angola and Mozambican); The last overseas territory, Macau, was returned to China in December 1999.

Portugal is a developed country and has the 19th highest standard of living in the world The Economist Intelligence Unit. Portugal is the 14th most peaceful and 13th most globalized country in the world. Portugal is a member of the European Union and the United Nations, and a founding member of the Latin Union, Organization of Latin American States, OECD, NATO, Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Zone euro area and the Schengen Area.

Geography

The North of Portugal has a relatively humid and cold climate, consisting of two regions: The land of the Minho River in the northwest belongs to the most densely populated parts of Portugal in which the major cities are located. are located along the Atlantic coast, inland there are many small cities and villages. The land of Minho is known as the "Green Garden" of Portugal because of its climate and because of its relatively rich flora. On the hills along the valleys there are many here, people grow mainly grapes to process into the famous grape wine, porto wine (also known as Portuguese wine or porto wine in Vietnamese). ) and Vinho verde. The natural flora is a mixture of the flora of temperate climates and the flora of the subtropics, depending on the altitude there are trees such as oaks (Quercus), chestnut or pine (Pinus pinea) and olive trees (Olea europaea).

To the northeast is the region Tras-os-Montes ("Behind the Mountain"). This is a mountainous region with very cold winters and very hot summers. The flora is much less than in the Minho region, and the closer to the Spanish border, the less. What both regions have in common is that the massifs are crossed by many rivers such as the Minho River (which is the border river with Spain) or the Douro River. In Northern Portugal lies the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the country's most important nature reserve. There are still some remaining natural forests, especially the green oak forest (Quercus ilex). The important cities of the north are Porto, Villa Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos, Braga, Villa Real and Bragança.

Much of central Portugal is mountainous with the Serra da Estrela being an important mountain region with ski resorts. The whole land is very fertile and has an optimal climate for growing grapes, so the tradition of growing grapes dates back to the time of the Romans. In addition, people also grow cereals, rice, sunflower (Helianthus) and vegetables. The Tejo River divides this region in two. The most important cities of central Portugal are Lisbon, Aveiro, Amadora, Coimbra, Leiria, Castelo Branco and Setúbal.

Southern Portugal consists of three regions: Terras do Sado, Alentejo and Algarve, with terrain ranging from flat to hilly, with a hot and dry climate. Alentejo was once Portugal's grain basket, today it is sparsely populated and an area that is being abandoned by people. The main products of the region other than cereals are grapes and sunflowers, which are being grown more and more. Prolonged periods of drought have contributed to the region's economic decline.

The Algarve region covers the entire southern coast of Portugal, with beautiful cities and sandy beaches or steep coastlines that are a popular holiday destination but also offer the accompanying phenomena of tourism. Common. The major cities in the region are Évora, Faro and Lagos.

Also belonging to Portugal are the islands of Madeira and the Azores of volcanic origin. The highest mountain of Portugal is Monte Pico, 2,351 m high on the island of Pico in the Azores archipelago.

When should I go?

Portugal is one of the warmest countries in Europe, the south is warmer and drier than the north, which has more rain and is colder. The average annual temperature in the south is 13.3 degrees Celsius, in the north is 12.3 degrees Celsius. In summer, the average temperature is about 35 degrees Celsius. During winter, the temperature rarely falls below 1.7 degrees Celsius, in the northern mountainous areas often snow.

The main tourist season is between spring and autumn. If you're traveling in winter, you'll find mild weather but a high chance of rain – but accommodation will come at a discount. The hotter the summer, the more crowded and expensive hotels, restaurants, and attractions will be. Lisbon's famous Festival of Saints takes place in June, attracting many visitors.

Region

Visit

If you want to visit beautiful monuments and enjoy the beautiful scenery then Lisbon, Sintra and Porto are the top 3 places, all of which are worth a visit. But don't miss Viana do Castelo, Braga, Guimarães, Coimbra, Tomar, Aveiro, Amarante, Braga, Bragança, Chaves, Lamego, Viseu, Vila Real, Lagos, Silves, Évora, Angra because there are buildings there. great memories and many interesting places.

The most popular beaches are located in the Algarve, with its beautiful coastline and natural beauty. The water on southern beaches is usually warmer and calmer than western beaches. If you want to surf, you can find great beaches on the West coast, near Lisbon and Peniche.

Those who like nightlife, Lisbon, Porto and Albufeira are the top choices for entertainment. If you want to relax in the countryside, you should go to Viana do Castelo, Chaves, Miranda do Douro, Douro valley, Lamego, Tomar, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Portalegre, Évora, Elvas or Viseu.

• Lisbon - the capital of Portugal, known as the "City of the Seven Hills", a mixture of old and new styles. Lying on the shore Atlantic, Lisbon is one of the rare Western European cities that faces the sea and uses water as the city's boundary element. Lisbon attracts visitors with its white limestone buildings, quiet sloping streets and many landmarks such as the Gullbenkian Museum, the Santa Justa escalator, the Belem building, the 25 de Abril bridge...
• Aveiro - Located at km 68 south of Porto and 58 km from Coimbra, a part of the city full of canals, bridges, painted boats called moliceiros, the same, similar gondolas live Venice. For this reason, Aveiro is called Portuguese Venezia, albeit a bit pompously. The most attractive thing in this city is the white sandy beach with a cool climate in summer, warm in winter.
• Braga - city of archbishops. It is a city located in the Cavado valley, in the Minho region of northern Portugal. It is the 5th largest city in Portugal, after Lisboq, Amadora, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. This is a classical and modern city, one of the important dioceses under the jurisdiction of the archbishop.
• Coimbra - is a city located in the center of Portugal, the main city of the central region. Coimbra is home to the University of Coimbra, one of the 9 oldest universities in the world.
• Évora - "museum city", is an autonomous municipality located in the county of Evora, in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal. This is an ancient city with important historical significance. The city has the historic center of the Evora Historic District – a UNESCO cultural heritage site and the Templo de Diana Roman Ruins.
• Funchal - is the capital and main city of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, located on the island of Madeira, located in the south, between the two cities Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos. The name of the city comes from the fact that on the island there are many fennel trees (funcho). It was an important maritime center in the 15th-17th centuries and is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal.
• Guimarães - a city in Minho, Portugal and one of the historic cities of Portugal, believed to be the birthplace of Portugal. This is the first city of Portugal, has a beautiful Castle, a palace worth a visit. This castle is classified as one of the 7 wonders in Portugal. Guimarães is located 50 km from Porto, near Mount Penha, with a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
• Porto - is the 2nd largest city in Portugal, also an industrial city and economic center of the country. Built along hills overlooking the mouth of the Douro River, the historic center of the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
• Viana do Castelo - famous for the festival Nossa Senhora da Agonia

Other destinations

• Praia d'El Rey
• Peneda-Gerês National Park
• Douro & Coa - river valley
• Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and mainland Europe, near Cascais
• Serra da Estrela
• Coa . Valley, UNESCO world heritage.

Arrive

Visa

Portugal is a member of the Schengen Agreement. There is no border control between countries that have signed and implemented international treaties - the European Union (with the exception of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Likewise, visas issued to any Schengen member are valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But beware: not all EU members have signed the Schengen agreement, and not all Schengen members are part of the European Union. This means that there may be a customs check location but no immigration check (traveling within the Schengen area but to/from a non-EU country) or you may have to clear immigration but no customs (traveling within the EU but to/from a non-Schengen country). Airports in Europe are thus divided into "Schengen" and "non-Schengen" zones, which in fact have roles like " domestic" and the "international" section elsewhere. If you are flying from outside Europe into a Schengen country and so on, you will clear immigration and customs in the first country and then proceed to your destination with no further checks. Travel between a Schengen member and a non-Schengen country will result in normal border checks. Note that regardless of whether you are traveling within the Schengen area or not, many airlines will insist on seeing your ID card or passport. Citizens of the EU and EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) countries only need a valid national identity card or entry passport - otherwise they will need a long-stay visa at any time. People of non-EU/EFTA countries will usually A passport is required to enter a Schengen country and most will need a visa. Only nationals of the following non-EU/EFTA countries do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania *, Andorra , Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia *, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Serbia */**, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan *** (Republic of China), USA, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, additional people with the title of British National (overseas), Hong Kong or Macao. Visa-free non-EU/EFTA visitors may not be able to stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area in total, not being able to work during the break (although a Some Schengen countries do not allow certain nationalities to work - see below). People count the days from when you enter any country in the Schengen area and do not reset it by leaving a particular Schengen country for a Schengen country, or vice versa. However, New Zealand citizens can stay longer than 90 days if they only visit special Schengen countries.

By air

All three of Portugal's most important airports, Porto, Lisbon and Faro, have flights from many airlines, the most of which are the routes of two Portuguese airlines TAP Air Portugal and Portugália. There are also domestic flights, but because Portugal is not large, it is not very attractive and relatively expensive.

By train

The rail network isn't really extensive, but on the main lines of traffic it's fast and efficient, if the railway staff hadn't just gone on strike. Train tickets are not expensive. The secondary roads have not been invested more for decades and many lines have stopped working in recent times.

By car

The road system is well built, thanks in part to EU money from various funds. The most important routes are covered by toll highways (Autoestradas) and organic lines like Itinerarios Principais (IP) or Itinerários Complementares (IC).

In remote areas, it is still common to find roads paved with boulders. People from Central Europe should think twice before driving on their own, especially in the city, as not everyone can deal with the chaos of rush hour traffic and the interpretation of the rules. traffic widely. Accident statistics in Europe have repeatedly shown that Portugal's road traffic is one of the safest. Taxis are relatively cheap, especially in the city.

By bus

By boat

Go

By train

Traveling by rail in Portugal is usually slightly faster than traveling by bus, but the frequency of trips is lower and the fares are higher. The areas around Lisbon and Porto are reasonably well served by suburban rail services.

The rail connections between the main lines of Portugal i.e. between Braga and Faro are good. Alfa-Pendular fast trains are of good quality, first class is excellent. Alfa-Pendular trains only stop at major city stations and usually require a reservation, (recommended) between Braga, Porto Gaia, Aveiro, Coimbra, Lisbon and Faro.

Intercity trains will take you to more distant locations, especially in the interior, such as Évora, Beja and Guarda.

By bus

Unfortunately the rail system is limited, so you may find yourself busing about to get anywhere off the beaten path. Rede Expresso [5] is one of the largest inter-city bus companies.

Lisbon and Porto, the two largest metropolitan cities, have a modern and air-conditioned clean metro system (underground/metro and light rail).

Road traffic in Lisbon and Porto is quite congested during the day and gets completely stuck during rush hour, at least in the main roads to exit or enter the city. Taking a car is the most convenient or only method of getting to areas outside of the main cities, however (car rentals aren't terribly expensive, but the insurance involved is - unless you book the package out) foreign).

Visit

Historical city

Once a mighty colonial nation, many of Portugal's lively cities still have an atmosphere reminiscent of Old World antiquity. These ancient towns are brimming with remarkable monuments, and with a little effort you'll discover the family's traditional cafe and craftsman whose business is in the city. generations.To the exciting port city of Porto to linger with the perfect pictures Cais da Ribeira. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful waterfront area features old buildings and streets and of course views of the Rabelo boats filling the harbour. The scenic capital of the country, the Capital Lisbon, bustling with contemporary culture but also boasts numerous monumental limestone buildings. Don't miss the beautiful monasteries of Jeronimus Monastery and make sure to climb the battlements of Castle of St George offers great panoramic views towards the city. For a royal daytrip from Lisbon, to the beautiful surroundings of Sintra and its famous castle, including romantic construction Pena National PalaceThe terrace is offering a stunning panoramic view of the Serra de Sintra and the coast. Then there are the enchanting medieval university towns of Coimbra, many consider the most romantic city in Portugal. Get lost in the maze of quaint alleyways and don't overlook the building of the university and its fine views over the river. For a more intimate experience, the head of the romantic and very well preserved village of Obidos, once a traditional personal gift from the king of Portugal to their beloved wife. Go to the heavy ruins Tomar or according to tens of thousands of religious visitors Fatima, the most visited pilgrimage place in Iberia. 12th century capital of Portugal Évora is a great place for ancient architecture, combining Roman ruins with Moorish and Portuguese architecture, or going to Guimarães, the cradle of Portugal. If you can't get enough of Portugal's towns, the list of places worth visiting goes on. Try Viana do Castelo, Braga, Aveiro, Amarante, Bragança, Chaves, Lamego, Viseu, Villa Real, Lagos, Silves and Angra.

Natural beauty and beaches

Beaches The most popular is in the Algarve, which has stunning coastlines and gobs of natural beauty. The water along the south coast tends to be warmer and calmer than the countries along the west coast, which is definitely the Atlantic Ocean and doesn't benefit from the Gulf Stream. To surf, or just play in the waves there are great beaches all along the west coast, near Lisbon and Peniche. Don't forget there are also some of the almost deserted beaches along the Costa Vicentina, in the Alentejo.

If you want to spend your holidays in countryside, you may want to visit Viana do Castelo, Chaves, Miranda do Douro, Douro Valley, Lamego, Tomar, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Portalegre, Évora, Elvas or even Viseu.

And even if you want to observe wild life in its natural state, Madeira and Azores The archipelago is the place to remember, not forgetting of course Peneda-Gerês National Park, Douro valley and Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

For nightlife Lisbon, Porto and Albufeira, Algarve are the best options as you have the main place of entertainment.

Language

Portuguese is a Romance language. Although Spanish is mutually intelligible with Spanish to a large extent, with about 90% lexical similarity (both in vocabulary and grammar), it is far from identical. The Portuguese are a proud and annoyed people when foreigners from non-Spanish speaking countries speak the language while traveling in Portugal. While many words can be spelled almost the same as in Spanish (or Italian), the pronunciation differs significantly. This is because Portuguese has some sounds that are not present in these languages. Spanish is widely spoken, but it's not always the best language to use unless you're from a Spanish-speaking country.

It is worth noting that the pronunciation in Portuguese in Portugal is significantly different from that in Brazil. Fundamental differences in pronunciation and a few lexical differences, which make it difficult even for Brazilians to understand a European Portuguese accent, although not vice versa because of the culture. Brazilian pop culture (drama and pop music, for example) is very popular in Portugal. However, the media now have less difficulty in understanding each other's accents.

English is spoken in many tourist areas, but it is not everywhere. The Portuguese are teaching English at school, and are also exposed to American and British movies and TV shows with original English soundtracks and Portuguese subtitles, so while shy, most of the Young people have basic knowledge of English. To improve your chances of being understood, speak slowly and stick to simple phrases. In fact, you are much more likely to find English speakers in Portugal than in Spain or France. In the main tourist areas, you will almost always find someone who can speak the main European language. Hotel staff are required to speak English, even if it is sketchy. French has almost disappeared as a second language, except possibly among the elderly. German or Italian speakers are rare. About 32% of Portuguese people can speak and understand English, while 24% can speak and understand French. Although Spanish and Spanish are mutually intelligible in writing, only 9% of the Portuguese population can speak it. If you are a Spanish speaker, chances are you will understand each other very well without an interpreter for the most part.

The Portuguese are generally great at humor when they are talking to someone who cannot speak their language. This means that all the shop owners, folk sellers, and people curious about you will spend time trying to take advantage of any conversational medium, often with humorous and unexpected results. . Helping foreigners is seen as an enjoyable and rewarding occasion and experience. If you try to speak Portuguese correctly, especially if it's a bit out of the ordinary, with the locals, you will be treated with respect. In Miranda do Douro, a town in the Northeast and In the vicinity some people speak a regional language called Miranda, in addition to Portuguese, although rarely in front of people they do not know.

Shopping, prices

Currency

The current currency in Portugal is the Euro. 100 Euros costs about 2,500.00VND. In the Algarve area, you can buy/exchange Euros easily at banks, currency exchange offices, hotels and shops. The best exchange rate is usually at offices in big cities, you must bring your passport when exchanging cash or traveler's checks.

There are many automatic teller machines – Multibanco - in major supermarkets and in main shopping streets in most cities. There are instructions in English. You can also find Multibanco in small towns and even villages in Portugal. VISA, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants. Gas stations usually accept credit cards or cash.

Banks are not open on weekends. In small towns, banks may close at lunchtime. If possible, book your hotel online in advance, paying in your country's current currency, so you'll avoid charges from credit card companies or from ATMs.

Shopping

In small shops, you can bargain, especially if you buy a variety of goods. Maybe the seller or challenge to visitors. In every big city, there are many shopping centers, shops, supermarkets.

Food

The cuisine of Portugal is very diverse as the Portuguese brought into their tradition many of the cuisines known through their voyages of discovery. Each locality in Portugal has its own specialties cooked from a variety of meats, fish or other seafood. The national dish is Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) which is said to have 365 different ways of cooking. Rượu vang Bồ Đào Nha cũng nổi tiếng, ngay từ thời La Mã, Bồ Đào Nha đã được liên tưởng với Bacchus, vị thần rượu và lễ hội trong thần thoại La Mã. Ngày nay một vài loại rượu vang của Bồ Đào Nha là một trong những loại rượu vang ngon nhất thế giới, đặc biệt là loại rượu vang ngọt porto.

Drinks

Khi đi du lịch ở Bồ Đào Nha, thức uống lựa chọn là rượu vang. Rượu vang đỏ là yêu thích của các người dân địa phương, nhưng rượu vang trắng cũng rất phổ biến. Còn Bồ Đào Nha cùng với Tây Ban Nha có một biến thể của rượu vang trắng mà thực sự là màu xanh lá cây (Vinho Verde). Một loại rượu rất sắc nét của nó phục vụ lạnh và dùng tốt nhất với rất nhiều các món cá. Uống rượu trong một bữa ăn rất phổ biến ở Bồ Đào Nha, và cũng sau khi bữa ăn kết thúc mọi người sẽ có xu hướng uống và nói chuyện trong khi cho phép tiêu hóa thức ăn của họ.

Rượu vang cảng có thể là một món rượu khai vị hoặc món rượu tráng miệng. Rượu vang Alentejo có thể không được trên toàn thế giới biết đến như Porto, nhưng là khá tốt. Bồ Đào Nha vùng rượu vang được xác định như cũng khác (regiões vinhateiras) cũng làm cho một số tốt nhất của các loại rượu vang như Madeira, Sado hoặc Douro.Độ tuổi uống rượu hợp pháp tại Bồ Đào Nha là 16.

This tutorial is just an outline, so it needs more information. Have the courage to modify and develop it !