Portugal

Portugal:  is a democratic republic ruled by the constitution of 1976. Lisbon is the capital and the largest city. There is no state religion making it a secular state although the great majority of Portuguese are Roman Catholic. There are 308 municipalities subdivided into more than 4,000 parishes. Municipalities are grouped for administrative purposes into units. There are 7 regions Alentejo, Algarve, Açores, Centro, Lisboa, Madeira, and Norte.

The climate is Oceanic in the north and Mediterranean in the south one of the warmest European countries with annual temperature averages 13 °C (55 °F) in the north and 18 °C (64 °F) in the south. The Algarve enjoys a superb Mediterranean climate similar to southern Spain which makes for the ideal summer vacation destination and in fact a place to consider for retirement and escape from the cold climate of Northern Europe. Portugal is famous for producing cork from Alentejo.

Portugal is leading the way in the battle against global warming in 2006 the world's largest solar power plant began operating in the sunny south. Also in 2006 the world's first commercial wave power farm opened in Northern Portugal. The Government is investing billions into developing renewable energy sources.

According to the 2001 census, the population of Portugal was 10,356,117.

Portugal has a long association and colonial history with countries like India and Africa. Today Portugal is a country of net immigration with many nationalities represented including communities from Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Cape Verde and Angola.

The major metropolitan areas are Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Setúbal and Aveiro.

If you are looking for beaches then Portugal has plenty to offer with great stretches of sand especially in the northern Costa Verde region.

Praia do Zavial  
Praia da Zavial a seaside bay situated between Sagres and Lagos.
 
Praia da Ingrina  
A truly beautiful area with a stunning beach Praia da Ingrina is located just outside the village Hortas do Tabual in Barlavento just before reaching the South Western tip of the Algarve. This entire region is a nature reserve.

Praia da Luz  
A half-mile-long sandy beach located just before Luz and 5 miles west of Lagos offers a sheltered sandy beach ideal for small children. The beach is enclosed by a large, dark rock massif on the one side, and a small villa community on the other.

Praia da Dona Ana  
Situated a few miles south Lagos is Praia Dona Ana, not a huge beach but very popular due to its close proximity to Lagos, beautiful but overcrowded in the summer.
 
Meia Praia  
One of the most famous beaches situated near Lagos. This is a beautiful sandy beach stretching for more 6 miles along Lagos Bay. It is an ideal holiday destination for families with children as there is much to keep the little ones occupied such as investigating the flotsam and jetsam washed up onto the shore, collecting shells, building sandcastles or even feeding the seagulls.
 
Praia do Alvor  
The massive beach in front of the village fringes the eastern half of Lagos Bay. There are sand dunes all the way to the famous Algarve Cliffs. Acres of wide open sand, popular among windsurfers and offering enough space for beach volley ball, football, frisby and walking. Lots of beach restaurants offering traditional grilled fish, lamb, piri-piri-chicken and other delicious plats. This is one of the best beaches in the Algarve.