Lisboa of the Discoveries - Information about Portugal

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Lisboa of the Discoveries

Lisbon is a city open to the sea that has always defined its destiny. Visit the beauty and history of its riverside neighbourhoods.

Begin with the two landmark monuments, the Tower of Belém and the Monastery of Jerónimos. Both have been designated World Heritage status given how they epitomise the beauty of the Manueline style that developed out of the Portuguese Voyages of Discovery. The Naval Museum is also to be found in the vicinity with its collection of 15th to 21st century exhibits. For some great views, head up the Monument to the Discoveries and admire the Wind Vane laid out below. And there always has to be time for an exceptional ‘pastéis de Belém’, an interpretation of the custard tart.

Continue on eastwards as far as the Doca de Santos, packed with terraced restaurants and bars. At the Alcântara and Rocha Conde de Óbidos ferry stations, take a look at the impressive Modernist tile panels.

Head onwards as far as another city landmark, the elegant Praça do Comércio square. It was here that the king lived throughout the era of discovery. To one side stood the Ribeira das Naus, with warehouses and a beach where the ships would be built.

Finally, the eastern section of the city is the up and coming Parque das Nações area, host to the World Exhibition of 1998. It is now a centre for recreation facilities and open air dining and drinking with a series of other services. These include the Oceanarium, the Cable Car and the Vasco da Gama Tower for panoramic views of Lisbon.

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Area
Capital (and largest city)		Lisbon 38°46′N, 9°11′W
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
-	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