Places to See
Centro de Portugal
Castle of Sabugal | Castle of Sabugal |
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Sabugal
Castle was the base for British and Portuguese troops during the third
French invasion. It has played its part in the history of one of
Europe’s oldest nations, so why not pay a visit? This territory overlooking the River Côa was once part of the kingdom of Leon. It became part of Portugal in 1297.The clocktower and other additions date from 1641. This formidable piece of Gothic military architecture has an irregular oval perimeter and a double-walled citadel with a barbican and cylindrical towers. There is an irregular pentagonal outer wall and an inner wall with five square towers. Near this piece of living history is the historical village of Sortelha, which has many stories of its own to tell and is certainly worth a visit.
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| Capital (and largest city) |
Lisbon 38°46′N, 9°11′W |
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| Official languages | Portuguese | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised regional languages | Mirandese | |
| Demonym | Portuguese | |
| Government | Parliamentary republic | |
| - | President | Aníbal Cavaco Silva |
| - | Prime Minister | José Sócrates |
| Formation | June 24, 1128 | |
| - | Founding of the First County of Portugal | 868 |
| - | Battle of São Mamede | June 24, 1128 |
| - | Kingdom | 25 July 1139 |
| - | Recognized | 5 October 1143 |
| - | Republic | 5 October 1910 |
| - | Carnation Revolution | 25 April 1974 |
| EU accession | 1 January 1986 | |
| Area | ||
| - | Total | 92,345 km² (110th) 35,580 sq mi |
| - | Water (%) | 0.5 |
| Population | ||
| - | July 2007 estimate | 10,848,692 (75th) |
| - | 2001 census | 10,148,259 |
| - | Density | 114/km² (87th) 295/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) | 2006 estimate | |
| - | Total | $229.881 billion (40th) |
| - | Per capita | $23,464 (2007) (34th) |
| HDI (2005) | ▼ 0.897 (high) (29th) | |
| Currency | Euro (€) (EUR) | |
| Time zone | WET | |
| - | Summer (DST) | WEST (UTC0) |
| Internet TLD | .pt | |
| Calling code | +351 | |