International Moving to Lisbon Facts
Located on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is bordered solely by Spain and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Its seaside location made it a key player in exploration and imperialism in the 15th and 16th centuries, as the Portuguese expanded far and wide, creating the first global empire. During this time they were one of the world’s foremost military, political, and economic powers. Time has changed much for Portugal, and though they are much smaller and humbler than they once were, their rich history has created a remarkable country worth exploring every inch of.
Second to history, Portugal is most identifiable by their unique geography. Portugal is split by its main river, the Targus, which flows directly though the capital and largest city, Lisbon. The country is split into two distinct regions, the north and south, of which the former is mountainous and the latter is rolling plains. The highest peak, Mount Pico, a volcano and popular tourist attraction, rises to 7,700 feet above sea level.
Portugal is part of the Eurozone, and therefore uses the Euro as currency. Since the Carnation Revolution in 1974, culminating the end of Portugal’s economic expansion, the country has been attempting to become a modern global economy. Through governmental incentives and private imitative, industry has shifted more to exports, private investment, and high-tech.
Tourism remains a very strong part of the economy. Portugal is among the most visited countries in the world, namely for its affordability and natural beauty, attracting over 13 million tourists per year. Lisbon draws the second most tourists of any city in Europe, only after Barcelona. It is regarded as one of the best value destinations on the continent.