Hot, dry conditions sparked dozens of devastating wildfires in southern and central Portugal and central Spain in the summer of 2003. By the time this image was taken on January 19, 2004, the scars had begun to fade in areas, though the scars in Central Portugal and across the border in Spain are still dark red in the false-color image.

Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe. Its mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders only one nation—Spain, to the east and north—with a total of 1,214km of borders. It is bordered on the east with a 1,793km coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean. Portugal also controls the Atlantic islands of Azores and Madeira Islands, which are strategic locations along western sea approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. In total, the country has an area of 92,391 km² of which 91,951 km² is land and 440 km² water. Download high resolution version (600x800, 112 KB) [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (600x800, 112 KB) [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to some dispute as to Europes actual borders. ... This article is about the geomorphological/geopolitical term; MAINLAND is also a cheese brand owned by Fonterra, a New Zealand dairy company. ... The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe. ... The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of the earths surface. ... Location Motto of the autonomous region: Antes morrer livres que em paz sujeitos (Portuguese: To die free rather than to be subjugated in peace) Official language Portuguese Capitals Ponta Delgada (Presidency of the autonomous government), Angra do Heroísmo (Supreme Court), Horta (Legislative Assembly) Other towns Praia da Vitória... Location Motto of the autonomous region: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Portuguese: Of the islands, the most beautiful and free) Official language Portuguese Capital Funchal Other towns Porto Santo, Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Santana, Ribeira Brava, Caniço Area 797 km² Population  - Total (1991)  - Density... The Strait of Gibraltar as seen from space. ... Satellite image The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land, on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. ...

Geographic coordinates: 38°43′N 8°5′W

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km) A nautical mile is a unit of length. ...

Natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes, as well as the continental coast. Wild fires. Extreme weather. Global earthquake epicenters, 1963–1998 An earthquake is a sudden and sometimes catastrophic movement of a part of the Earths crust. ...

The continent

Continental Portugal is split in two by its main river, the Tagus (Tejo). To the north the landscape is mountainous in the interior areas with plateaus, cut by four breakings lines that allow the development of relevant agricultural areas. View over Tejo River from Almourol Castle in Portugal (May 2005). ...

The south down as far as the Algarve features mostly rolling plains with a climate somewhat warmer and drier than the cooler and rainier north. Other major rivers include the Douro, the Minho and the Guadiana, similar to the Tagus in that all originate in Spain. Another important river, the Mondego, originates in the Serra da Estrela (the highest mountains in mainland Portugal - 1,991 m). Guadiana (Latin Anas, Spanish Guadiana, Portuguese Guadiana) - one of the major rivers of Spain, part of it is the border with Portugal, ends in the Atlantic Ocean. ... The Rio Mondego (Mondego River) is the biggest river exclusively in Portuguese territory. ... Serra da Estrela (Star Mountains) is the highest mountain range in Portugal and includes mainland Portugals highest peak (Pico mountain in the Portuguese Azores islands is higher), which has a natural altitude of 1993 m. ...

The Islands

The islands of the Azores and Madeira are located in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, some of the islands had recent volcanic activity. Originally two islands, São Miguel Island was joined by a volcanic eruption in 1563. The last vulcano to erupt was the Vulcão dos Capelinhos (Capelinhos Volcano) in 1957, in western part of Faial Island, increasing the size of that island. Dom João de Castro Bank is a large submarine volcano that lies midway between the islands of Terceira and São Miguel and rises 14 m bellow the sea surface. It last erupted in 1720 and formed an island of 1.5 km in length and 250 metres in altitude, it remained above the water for several years. Scientists predict a new island can be formed in a not so distant future. Portugal's highest point is Mount Pico, an ancient volcano, with 2,351 metres. Courtesy USGS The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a mostly underwater mountain range of the Atlantic Ocean that runs from 87°N (about 333 km South of the North Pole) to subantarctic Bouvet Island, where it turns into Atlantic-Indian-Ridge and continues further East through Crozet Plateau to the Southwest... Eruption redirects here. ... São Miguel on a NASA satellite photo, with North to the top. ... Events February 1 - Sarsa Dengel succeeds his father Menas as Emperor of Ethiopia February 18 - The Duke of Guise is assassinated while besieging Orléans March - Peace of Amboise. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Faial Island (also known in English as Fayal) is a Portuguese island of the Central group (Grupo Central) of the Azores. ... Dom João de Castro Bank is a large submarine volcano that lies midway between the islands of Terceira and São Miguel and rises 14 m bellow the sea surface. ... Map of Terceira Island, Azores. ... Mount Pico is the highest point on Pico Island in the Azores, a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Portugal. ...

The Coast

The Portuguese coast is extensive, it has 943 km in continental Portugal, 667 km in the Azores, 250 km in Madeira and in the Savage Islands. The Portuguese coast developed fine beaches, the Algarve ones are worldwide famous. In Porto Santo Island, a dune formation is appealing to many tourists. An important feature in its coast is the Ria de Aveiro (near Aveiro), a delta with 45 km in length and a maximum of 11 km width, rich in fish and sea birds. There are four main channels, between them several islands and islets, and it is where Vouga, Antuã, Boco, and Fontão rivers meet the ocean. Since the 16th century, the formation of a sort of narrow headlands formed a lagoon, seen has one of the most remarkable hydrographic features of the Portuguese coast. Due to this characteristics, the region is an ancient producer of salt, and during the Roman Empire it exported its salt to Rome, seen as a precious product. Porto Santo Island is a Portuguese island 50 km northeast of Madeira Island in the North Atlantic Ocean. ... Coat of Arms Aveiro streets by night Sé Catedral de Aveiro Aveiro and one of its canals. ... Mōkōlea Rock in Kailua Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, 2. ...

Lakes

There are also several lakes in Portugal, in Serra da Estrela the Lake Comprida (Lagoa Comprida) and the Lake Escura (Lagoa Escura) were formed from ancient glaciers. Some lagoons have the ocean or a river has origin; for instance, the Albufeira and Óbidos lagoons. While others are originated between dunes like the lagoons of Braças and Vela. Aletsch glacier, Switzerland A glacier is a large, long-lasting river of ice that is formed on land and moves in response to gravity. ... Albufeira is a Portuguese city in the Algarve. ... District Leiria Mayor   - Party Telmo Henrique Correia Daniel Faria PSD Area 142. ...

Insert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text here==Climate == maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south

In mainland Portugal, average temperatures are 13ºC in the North and 18ºC in the South. Madeira and Azores, due to their location in the Atlantic, are rainy and wet, and have a narrower range of temperatures. The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of the earths surface. ...

Portugal is one of the warmest European countries. Spring and Summer months are usually sunny and the temperatures very high during July and August, with highs in the centre of the country between 30°C and 35°C, reaching sometimes highs of 45°C in the southern interior. Autumn and Winter are typically rainy and windy, yet sunny days are not rare either, the temperatures rarely fall below 5°C, usually staying at an average of 10°C. Snow is common in the mountainous areas of the north. Portugal's climate is classified as Atlantic-Mediterranean.

As of 2005, the country is facing serious problems due to lack of rain in the winter. A winter with very blue skies with some days of unusual low temperatures and other days with unusual high temperatures.

Environment

Main article: Conservation areas of Portugal

Environment - current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Portugals conservation areas are divided into five categories: One national park (Parque Nacional), 12 natural parks (Parque Natural), 9 natural reserves (Reserva Natural), 5 natural monuments (Monumento Natural), and 7 protected landscapes (Paisagem Protegida). ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock, and so forth) by the agents of wind, water, ice, or movement in response to gravity. ... This power plant in New Mexico releases sulfur dioxide and particulate matter into the air. ... Italic text Water pollution Water pollution is a term that describes any adverse effect upon water bodies (lakes, rivers, the sea, groundwater etc. ...

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban

Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble, arable land, hydroelectric power Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus: one of the most abundant species of fish in the world. ... A cork stopper for a wine bottle A Champagne cork Cork material is a subset of generic cork tissue, harvested for commercial use primarily from the Cork Oak tree, Quercus suber, with Portugal producing most cork worldwide. ... General Name, Symbol, Number tungsten, W, 74 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 6, 6, d Appearance grayish white, lustrous Atomic mass 183. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Atomic mass 55. ... General Name, Symbol, Number uranium, U, 92 Chemical series actinides Group, Period, Block n/a, 7, f Appearance silvery gray metallic; corrodes to a spalling black oxide coat in air Atomic mass 238. ... Venus de Milo, front. ... Hydroelectric dam diagram The waters of Llyn Stwlan, the upper reservoir of the Ffestiniog Pumped-Storage Scheme in north Wales, can just be glimpsed on the right. ...

Land use:
arable land: 26%
permanent crops: 9%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 36%
other: 20% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 6,300 km² (1993 est.)

Tourism

Where to go: The Algarve is the main tourist destination promising sunny days, beaches, long nights and stunning natural beauty. Other popular destinations include Lisboa and Porto, with historical towns such as Constância and Tomar being well worth visiting.

See also

Cabo da Roca The lighthouse on Cabo da Roca Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) is a cape that forms the westernmost point of Portugal, and hence the westernmost point of the European mainland. ...

Sources and further reading

• Visible Earth. NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. [1]. A collection of satellite images of Portugal and the surrounding region.
• "Portugal." CIA World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. [2].
• Symington, Martin. Portugal (Eyewitness Travel Guide series). Dorling Kindersley Publishing: 2003. ISBN 078949423X.