Geography of Portugal

An informative report

Ashley Kollmorgen

November 17, 2021

General Information

Portugal is a small country located just to the west of Spain in southwestern Europe. Being a former prominent maritime empire, Portugal is very well known for its beach destinations, seafood dishes and 16th-century architecture, making it a considerable tourist destination for most. The current population of Portugal is a small 10.31 million, with a density of 113 per square kilometer and Lisbon as the current capital city.

Regions and Topography

Within its small north-south span of 550km, the topography of Portugal seems to be fairly consistent, with some terrain difference toward the north of the country. One natural feature, the River Tagus, seems to be the dividing border between southern flatland and the mountainous Northern regions, splitting the country almost in half. Almost all of the major rocky, mountainous areas are located above this river, with only flat plains and rolling hills being below it.

Portugal is split up into many different regions, each with their own characteristics. One example of a region is the Algarve, a small area that encompasses the southern coastal strip of the country. The Algarve is known for its facilitation of the growth of orange, lemon, fig and almond trees, and is also quite popular with tourists due to its various sheltered beaches. Above this region lies the Alentejo, which is a large grasslands area making up a third of the country's size. This particular region is consistently sunny and contains beaches that are preferable for the sport of surfing, whilst also allowing for the growth of the umbrella pine, cork oak, and olive trees, making it a highly desirable region to live in and visit.

Above the Alentejo region lies Central Portugal, a region that marks the beginning of the more hilly Portuguese terrain, home of the 1991-metre Serra da Estrela mountain, the highest in Continental Portugal. This region contains many pine and chestnut tree forests and is mostly green and rugged, with many rivers streaming through it in a crisscross pattern, one of which, the Mondego, is the longest river located exclusively within Portuguese borders, spanning a total of 234 kilometres from Serra da Estrela to the part of the Atlantic Ocean next to the city of Figueira da Foz.

The last region of Portugal is Northern Portugal, a smaller area that is the most populous in all of Portugal. Northern Portugal contains very dense foliage and is a land of profound historical and cultural wealth, being a major trade area for the Greek and Carthaginian peoples. The region is mostly mountainous terrain, containing many peaks such as the Serra do Gerês (1544 m), Peneda (1416 m), Marão (1415 m) and Soajo (1415 m). Many rivers also cross through this region, the most preeiminent one being the Douro, which is is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula.

A satellite map showing the topography of Portugal

A map of the River Tagus as it flows through Portugal to Spain

The four major regions of Portugal, as shown on a map

Natural Disasters

There are many natural disasters that have affected both Portugal and the surrounding territory, which have caused countless social, economic and environmental changes to its environment. Below are listed three natural disasters and their consequences, along with future problems for the nation that could occur in the near future.

The 2010 Madeira floods and mudslides were a series of natural disasters that greatly affected Madeira Island, caused by a flash flood that killed 51 people in total. Due to this flash flood, a number of effects were created, one of them being the mudslides and water that gushed down over the city of Funchal, which destroyed cars and buildings and caused serious disruptions to communications across the island. The economic pillar was, therefore, greatly affected by this event, as much property that would have taken years to build was wiped out in an instant by this weather event. Another effect of the weather event was the damage it dealt to the social pillar by cutting off communications around the island, preventing people and organisations from talking to anyone who did not happen to be on the island at the time.

Another severe weather event suffered by Portugal is the Great Lisbon Earthquake that rocked the city of Lisbon in 1755. This earthquake, in tandem with fires and a tsunami, almost ended up completely destroying the capital city, receiving a score of 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale. This earthquake would have greatly impacted the social pillar, as many people would have died and many more would have lost their homes, which implies that damage was dealt to the economic pillar also. The environmental pillar would not have been affected much by the earthquake alone, but the fires that came with it would have most definitely destroyed much foliage and greenery, causing the environmental pillar to be indirectly damaged in the process.

The final severe Portuguese weather event discussed here will be the 2016 Portugal wildfires, which were a series of fires that greatly affected mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago, causing the popular hashtag #PrayForPortugal to become trending in social media at the time. These fires ravaged across Northern Portugal and destroyed at least 37 homes, dealing a whole lot more damage to the environment in the process. The environmental pillar would have been greatly affected by these fires, as said fires would have burned through trees and plants ravenously, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere whilst killing off small ecosystems that could have otherwise thrived in peace.

Although Portugal has definitely suffered in the past, it still very much has room for more suffering in the future, which could appear in the form of many different natural disasters and events. However, the main issues that have a high chance of occurring are flash floods and landslides, caused by heavy rains that swell rivers to the point of overflowing. These flash floods could cause countless property damage and will destroy homes, thereby damaging the social and economic pillars considerably. It is unknown whether the environmental pillar will be affected or not, but the animals and trees that the floods kill off could end up destroying some wildlife and fauna, thereby slightly affecting the environmental pillar as well.

This is not the only problem, however, as in terms of the damage ranking, these flash floods are closely followed by the problem of earthquakes, which are land events that will greatly increase the total damage experienced by Portugal in the future, as Portugal is quite close to a fault line and usually experiences large earthquakes when they do occur. As such, earthquakes should not be put out of consideration, especially when the global position of Portugal is considered.

Change Over Time Analysis

A swipe map of a beach located in Várzea de Quarteira, southern Portugal. Left: October 27, 2010, right: March 1, 2018

As shown in the swipe map above, Portugal has and will experience much change in terms of its geographical size and shape. In 2010, this beach seemed to be thicker and more developed, but in 2018 this changed to a more slimmer beach with shallower waters, becoming a public beach that allows people of younger ages to easily swim without fear of drowning. Although this makes the beach more family-friendly, it removes land space from the area, forcing visitors to move to other areas to claim their land for the day and slightly decreasing real estate for the mainland.

Another changed noticed within this swipe map is the lack of human civilisation in late 2010, with not many buildings nor cars and next to nothing being seen actually on the beach. In 2018, however, this changed to a densely populated beach with many cars and buildings being sighted as more and more people discover the incredible beaches that Portugal has within its possession, increasing the land development and urbanisation of the area. The impacts of this change are quite severe, as if more and more people visit the area this could attract even more people, exponentially growing the area to the point where a new city could be born. As such, it is important to note that urbanisation does, in fact, happen, and may very well happen to popular areas such as this.

Layered GIS Analysis

A GIS Presentation of important data relating to Portugal and its surrounding areas

According to the data above, Portugal is a very hilly country towards the north, with very little slopes to the south. The infant mortality rate is very low and is quite similar to its surrounding nations, which makes sense, but is slightly lower than usual on the life expectancy scale, having an average life expectancy of only 81.32 compared to Australia's 82.75. Also, the COVID-19 trends show that Portugal is in a state of epidemic, which is not particularly desirable to most. The population density of Portugal is mostly "Light Urban" to "Urban", with only a tiny bit of Extreme Urban in the whole country, making it a fairly balanced area with not too much of either.

This data reveals that although Portugal's population and population density may not be as high as other nations, it still has similar upsides and downsides to its bigger brothers and sisters. Although the life expectancy is fairly even with Australia's, the Coronavirus is still heavily prevalent, revealing that in the future Portugal may experience a slightly lowered life expectancy in the following years. The infant mortality rate is kept to a minimum, with only 2 or 3 children dying on average per 1,000 births within the country in recent years, making it a fairly hospitable place to live in and visit.

Although the GIS system is very useful in displaying generalised statistics, it still has many issues, mainly due to the fact that viewing data from a wide-angle lens such as the GIS system removes the ability to pinpoint areas of interest without a higher resolution of data analysis, greatly reducing the accuracy of the data collected. This, in tandem with the fact that data collected from third parties can be outdated and incorrect, poses as a quite large set of problems that needs to be solved before the GIS system can be classified as perfect.

Influential People

When discussing the geographical aspects of a country, it is important to discuss the influential people of said country and what their public acts were. As such, the five most influential people in the country of Portugal, along with detailed descriptions of their achievements, are as follows:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Rionaldo is a Portuguese football player playing for the team of Manchester United, widely regarded as being the greatest soccer player of all time. Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, on the 5th of February 1985, growing up to become a player for Andorinha from 1992 to 1995, agreeing with his mother to cease his education at 14 due to his belief that he could play semi-professionally. Although he faced many struggles such as his diagnosis with a "racing heart" condition that could have forced him to give up football, he still pressed on, going to the point of laser surgery to keep his heart rate at a good level so that he could continue to train. Nowadays, Ronaldo is praised for his incredible soccer ability and is the all-time international top goalscorer, bringing his country of origin glory and fame in the process.

As such, Cristiano Rionaldo is of major importance when it comes to Portugal's most famous people, being the top candidate for many online lists. His performance on the pitch, as well as his social media presence, allows Portugal to be a well-known country in terms of their soccer players, which was also stated in the first paragraph of this document.

Some of Cristiano Ronaldo's famous goal-scoring moments

A Statue of Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira

Henry the Navigator

Prince Henry the Navigator was a prominent figure in early maritime expansion, being born on the 4th of March 1394 in Porto, Portugal. Henry's main form of assistance to Portugal was his early development of Portuguese exploration and oversea trade, even systematically exploring Western Africa and the islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Henry was only 21 when he began is life as an explorer, scouting out the lands of Africa that were unknown to Europeans at the time and intentionally spreading the Christian faith as well.

Although Mediterranean cargo ships were too slow and heavy to travel large distances, one of Henry's main achievements was that he managed to develop new, lighter ships called the "caravel" that were faster and much more maneuverable, being able to sail against the wind with some success. Many other technologies were assisted in development by Henry that are not listed there, but it is still clearly evident that Henry was a well-educated and intelligent man.

As such, Henry the Navigator played an incredible part in Portugal's history, discovering new lands for the good of the European nations and inventing new and improved European maritime technologies to further expand Portugal's trade empire, capitalising on the goods and services Portugal had to offer and allowing them to be sent to and from Portuguese ports using faster, more streamlined vessels that could deliver these goods in a shorter period of time.

A short clip of Prince Henry's contributions to Portuguese society

The caravel, a fast and lightweight vessel invented by Henry for long expeditions at sea

Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa was an all-in one poet, writer, critic, translator, publisher and philosopher, one of the most well-known poets in the Portuguese language. Pessoa was born on the 13th of June, 1888, in Lisbon, Portugal. Pessoa received his education at St. Joseph Convent School, after which he moved to the Durban High School in April 1899, learning English and English Literature during his time there. Pessoa began writing short stories in English a few years on, releasing some of his first poems under the name "David Merrick" at 16.

Years on, Pessoa became a massively well-known writer and poet, starring in multiple poetry compilations and even having a statue made in his image. Pessoa also translated many pieces of literature originally written in Portuguese into English and vice versa, allowing the English and Portuguese to greatly appreciate each other's writings.

Fernando Pessoa, therefore, was a highly influential writer of his time, opening new doorways in the world of writings that bridged the gap between English and Portuguese. His poetry and other works of literature greatly expanded the horizon of Portugal's expertise in the trade, enabling many others to learn from his work and improve their own writings. As such, Pessoa, although not as well known as other famous writers of his time, is still quite an influential man in Portuguese history, and his works are still being presented today in a variety of different formats.

Pessoa's last writing, "*I know not what tomorrow will bring*"

Amália Rodrigues

Amália Rodrigues was a famous Portuguese singer and actress in the mid-1900s, starring as a very well-known "fadista" (fado singer) and popularising the music genre "fado" worldwide. Rodrigues was born on the 23rd of July, 1920, within the aforementioned city of Lisbon that many other famous Portuguese citizens were born in. Fifteen years after her birth, Rodrigues began her singing career and was an instant showstopper, becoming a certified professional in 1939.

Amalia Rodrigues became a very famous singer in Portugal by the 1940s, whilst her 1946 debut film "Capas Negras" propelled her into the film industry also. Meanwhile, she had also managed to gain some popularity in Spain and Brazil and had created her first albums targeted toward these audiences, enabling her to become one of the most famous singers within even more of the known world.

Amalia Rodrigues's career as an actress and singer were of great help to the knowledge of Portugal as a significant country and produced enormous amounts of good press for said country and further established the music industry within Portugal, allowing her to easily be classified as a significant figure who contributed to Portuguese society as it is today.

Rodriguez performing Solidao, also in 1969

Amália's house in Lisbon, which is now a house-museum for her supporters

Antonio Salazar

Antonio Salazar was a trained economist and was the prime minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. Salazar was highly opposed to communism and socialism, promoting conservative and nationalist laws as his primary focus. Salazar did not wish to discriminate based on belief, religion or moral limitations, and was a central player during World War II and Portugal's involvement in said war.

Salazar was born on the 28th of April, 1889, in a home in Vimierio near Santa Comba Dão, attending the primary school in his small village for his early education. However, at age 11 Antonio won a free position at Viseu's seminary, studying there for eight years and causing him to consider becoming a priest. However, he decided against this, instead graduating in law with distinction and specialising in finance and economic policy. He then went on to become one of the most influential prime ministers of Portuguese history, contributing to the formation of the Estado Novo, a corporatist regime developed for the welfare of Portuguese society.

It is therefore quite clear that Antonio Salazar was a very influential man during the time he spent on earth, wisely constructing policies that would greatly assist in the development of modern-day Portuguese economics and politics whilst also keeping the people undescriminated in a time where many people in the world were actively experiencing it. As such, Antonio was a major player in terms of what he offered to Portuguese society, enabling the Portuguese to expand in their political, economic and theologic knowledge.

The flag of the National Union, of which Salazar was a part of

Tourist Destinations

On top of the people of importance, it is also important to consider popular tourist destinations when geographically analysing a country. Due to this, below are listed five of these tourist destinations and a detailed discussion on each:

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is an extremely popular tourist destination within the country of Portugal, located within the top ten cities for European tourism. With its low rolling hills and equible climate, Lisbon is a prime destination for those wishing to escape the almost unpredictable weathers of Melbourne. The beautiful river Tagus winds directly through the city, creating plenty of room for impressive bridges and riverside beaches.

Although the city layout may not be very welcoming to outsiders, Lisbon contains many sub-attractions that bring many to Portugal's vast capital. Some of these sub-attractions are as follows: the Belém Tower, the Castelo de S. Jorge, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Praça do Comércio. As such, Lisbon is quite a sufficient tourist destination for many, providing various different activities for all to enjoy.

The Belem Tower, a highly popular tourist attraction in Lisbon

The 25 de Abril Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning across the River Tagus

Porto

Porto is yet another tourist destination within Portugal, this time known for its stately bridges and wine production. One of the most well-known bridges within this area is the Luís I Bridge, a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the River Douro. Its length of 172 metres was unmatched anywhere in the world during its construction and is still very well known today, making it one of the most popular attractions in Porto.

Being the second-largest Portuguese metropolis, Porto is also known for its significant role in Portuguese history, as Porto was the key location in which Portugal was founded in the 12th century, allowing the Portuguese to become known as a people and a nation. As such, it would be an incredible experience to take a trip through Porto and see all the amazing architecture built during the early periods of Portuguese history.

A general view of Porto, with the Luís I Bridge in the background

A birds-eye-view of Porto's diverse buildings and its ability to blend with nature

A video showcasing the many opportunities Porto offers

Madeira Island

Madeira Island has always been a hot spot for tourists, attracting around 1.5 million visitors per year. With its soaring mountains and deep ravines, the Island is a great place to go sightseeing, with plenty of verdant botany to boot. Although floods thundered over the islands in 2010, the island seems to have recovered beautifully, allowing more and more plants and trees to thrive unhindered.

Some most famous tourist attractions within Madeira are Funchal's restored old town and the Teleférico do Funchalince, which is a cable car taking over 800 passengers an hour for a relaxing 15-minute ride over the city. Said cable car is a major attraction in Madeira, and is an experience not to be forgotton.

As such, Madeira Island will not disappoint, with deep ravines and some of the bluest waters in the world. Although there may not be much flat land at all, the islands are still an incredible experience to add to your Portuguese trip.

Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal's famous farmer's market.

A video of the more natural side of Madeira

Lagos

With its many beaches and cliffs, (along with its 2000 years of history), Lagos is not to be forgotten, as it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Portugal. Due to its position in the Algarve region, Lagos is very well known for its toasty beach destinations, with an average climate of 25 degrees Celsius in September of this year (2021 at time of writing), a nice, relaxing temperature in contrast to the cold of Melbourne.

The most popular beach is the Meia Praia, a soft, white beach surrounding one of the largest open bays in Europe, making it calm and suitable for many nautical sports such as water skiing and other forms of boating. Cliffs provide the beach with a natural shelter from the weather, promising only the slightest of winds, making it a perfect addition to the trip.

Lagos is, therefore, a very considerable place to visit within Portugal, containing many warm beaches that allow for many different activities and fun to take place. As such, it seems fitting to install it as the fourth tourist destination for the country, as it is both popular and desirable to visit.

The *Meia Praia* beach and surrounding town

A panoramic view of Lagos's Avenida dos Descobrimentos

A video showcasing the land surrounding Lagos

Sintra

Being one of the wealthiest municipalities in all of Portugal, Sintra is an incredibly beautiful greenery-surrounded destination that will cap off the trip quite nicely. Sintra is also one of the most urbanised and densely populated municipalities of Portugal, making it quite the place to visit if one is aiming for areas that are much more urbanised than the general naturally-based areas discussed above. Currently, Sintra hosts over 377 thousand people in an area of 319.23 square kilometres.

There are many tourist attractions located within Sintra, the most notable one being the Park and National Palace of Pena, a Romanticist castle that is located in the Sintra Mountains that can sometimes even been seen from Lisbon on a clear night. Said castle is also one of the major expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world and is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, containing many different architectural styles that are very interesting to view and discuss.

As such, it would not be amiss to add the municipality of Sintra to the trip, giving a more urbanised look at Portugal's diverse country. Not only is the Palace of Pena to be visited, but the other towns and attractions as well, as there are many located within the large landmass of Sintra. Sintra, therefore, would be a quite interesting cap-off for the trip, whilst still being close enough to Lisbon to provide an easy route back to Melbourne.

Conclusion

To visit Portugal is to visit Paradise, as its lush greenery, steep mountains and beautiful beaches all pull to create the perfect tourist destination for all. However, although there are already many promoting facts pointing toward Portuguese tourism, it seems as though this is not enough for some, and as such, below are listed ten interesting facts relating to the country to appeal to those who are more convinced by statistics:

Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries
The oldest bookstore in the world is in Portugal's capital (Bertrand bookshop, Lisbon, est. 1732)
Portugal is the world record holder for the largest dining table set
Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world
You must be fingerprinted for ID cards in Portugal
One of the oldest universities in Europe is in Portugal (the University of Coimbra, est. 1290)
Portugal and England have the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world
Lisbon is older than Rome
Portugal is the oldest country in Europe
A Portuguese explorer was the first to complete a full journey around the earth

Due to these facts, along with many other Portugal-promoting properties (such as the multicoloured building designs, the use of waterways as public transport and the many popular beaches present), Portugal is to be regarded as a highly considerable tourist destination, and contains many diverse features for all tourists to enjoy.