Portugal

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal. Capital and largest city is Lisbon. Population is more than 10.5 million people. Portugal is defined as a Mediterranean climate, and is one of the warmest European countries. Portugal is among the 20 most visited countries in the world, receiving an average of 13 million foreign tourists each year. Tourist hotspots in Portugal are Lisbon, the Algarve and Madeira, but the Portuguese government continues to promote and develop new tourist destinations, such as the Douro Valley, the island of Porto Santo, and Alentejo. Famous landmarks and sights are the Roman Temple of Diana in Évora, the Castle of Guimarães, Guimarães, the city is known as the cradle of Portugal, Mount Pico, the highest peak in Portugal, on the volcanic island of Pico in the Azores, the blue-green lakes of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades within the Sete Cidades Massif on the island of São Miguel, Azores, Praia Dona Ana in Lagos, Serra da Estrelais the highest range on the mainland, the Pena National Palace in Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal's most visited landmarks, Almourol Castle, a Knights Templar stronghold used during the Christian Reconquista of Iberia from the Muslim Moors, the Lisbon Oceanarium, Alqueva Dam in the Alentejo, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima is the largest Marian shrine, Belém Tower in Lisbon, A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a typical example of Portugal's unique Manueline architecture, Casa da Música is a concert hall in Porto and many more.