Portugal Geography

The Republic of Portugal consists of mainland Portugal and the island groups of Madeira and the Azores. Madeira is located nearly 550 miles southwest from Lisbon, consisting of four main islands: Madeira, Porto Santo, Selvagens and Desertas. As for the Azores, being in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, they are practically 9 hundred miles from Lisbon. Here are nine inhabited islands, among which famous Santa Maria and Miguel, and some uninhabited rock outcroppings. The neighbor of Portugal on the north and east is Spain, on the south and west the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. It is very interesting and also stunning that Portugal is the first European country to have its boundaries as they are today, practically unchanged.

Historically Portugal was divided into six provinces, according to their geographical location. Later every province was subdivided into several areas, but historical names were kept unchanged. The central Portugal is characterized by the diversity of the landscapes. Here the tourists can enjoy rivers, green valleys, pine forests and high mountains. Central eastern areas (Beira) are full of small farms and some objects of light industry. The southern part of Portugal, especially Alentejo, known for the wild beaches, is a wonderful place for the isolation from the rush world. Beyond any doubts, the center of tourism is the extreme south – Algarve with its warm climate, influenced by the Mediterranean sea. The capital and at the same time the largest city of the country is Lisbon.