In the year 1143 Portugal
gained independence. From the 15th century
its ships sailed to many parts of the world,
establishing a number of colonies. The sea
has played an important role in the history
of Portugal, which attracts tourists to
its picturesque towns and beach resorts.
It is a country of olive groves, vineyards
and markets selling fish and fruit. Most
tourists visit between June and September,
but regions such as the Algarve remain popular
throughout the year. The country holds many
religious festivals and traditional celebrations,
where people parade and dance through the
streets.
Getting There: Tourists can enter Portugal by road or rail from
Spain. Most European cities have regular flights
to Lisbon, Faro, Porto and the islands of Madeira
and the Azores. There are also budget airlines
offering cheap flights and with its long coastline,
there are a number of busy ports.
