Beyond all the clichés you may have heard about our country, the truth is that Portugal is one of the great nations of our World, of the big blue Planet.
And you don’t even have to do much research to realize that there are facts that make Portugal one of the most fascinating countries in terms of history, culture, heritage and, why not, global influence, continuing to inspire many other nations on the various continents.
Portugal is a small country in terms of territory, but huge in these three areas, fascinating those who visit it and surprising those who study it.
From the antiquity of its cities – Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe after Athens – to the memories it has left scattered around the world, our country has always stood out as a nation of traditions, innovation and resilience.
That’s why taking this journey to discover Portugal’s curiosities is like embarking on an authentic adventure of knowledge and, in the end, a lot of admiration, with 10 facts that make Portugal a unique country all of its own:
1 – Portugal is the “12th” oldest country in the world
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in the world, there’s no doubt about that. Officially founded in 1143, with the Treaty of Zamora, and then recognized as an independent kingdom in 1179 by Pope Alexander III, its borders would become stable from the 13th century onwards, making it the oldest nation-state in Europe with defined borders.
However, the exact number of “oldest” can vary depending on the criteria used, but Portugal often appears among the 10th and 12th oldest in the world.
2 – Portugal has had five capitals
Portugal has had five capitals throughout its history: Guimarães, Coimbra, Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro and Angra do Heroísmo, each in different contexts, depending on where the Portuguese Court or Government resided.
Guimarães was the first, Coimbra the second, and then Lisbon, the definitive capital. However, during the Napoleonic invasions, the Court moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Angra do Heroísmo, in the Azores, was the capital on two exceptional occasions.
3 – The largest patch of laurel forest is in Madeira
It covers around 15,000 hectares, which corresponds to around 20% of the island. This subtropical rainforest, which originated around 20 million years ago, stands out for its high biodiversity and the presence of many endemic species.
Due to its excellent state of conservation and ecological value, it was classified as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, as were all these sites in Portugal.
4 – The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the largest in western Europe
The Vasco da Gama Bridge is located in the eastern part of the city and spans the Tagus River. It was inaugurated in 1998 for Expo 98.
Some 17.2 kilometers long, it is the longest bridge in the European Union and connects the municipality of Loures to Montijo.
5 – The biggest wave ever surfed was at Praia do Norte, in Nazaré
After being surfed for the first time by Garrett McNamara, an American big wave surfer, it is German surfer Sebastian Steudtner who holds the current world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, at 26.21 meters, achieved at Praia do Norte, in Nazaré, in October 2020.
It is believed that in February 2024, Steudtner will have surfed an even bigger wave, measuring 28.57 meters, also at Praia do Norte, but this new feat is still awaiting official confirmation from Guinness World Records. Nazaré stands out worldwide for its giant waves, powered by the “Nazaré Canyon”, which attracts surfers and tourists all year round.
6 – The Bertrand Bookshop in Chiado is the oldest in the world still in operation
Founded in 1732 by Pedro Faure and located in the Chiado district , Livraria Bertrand has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records since 2011 as the oldest bookshop in the world still in operation, having survived the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.
7 – The world’s largest cork producer
Responsible for around 50% of global cork production, it has the largest cork oak forest in the world, with around a third of the global area, equivalent to around 85,000 to 100,000 tons a year.
Our country also leads the way in the processing and export of products made from this raw material, such as wine stoppers, with around 60% of the world market.
8 – The famous Japanese tempura has Portuguese origins
Introduced to Japan by Portuguese missionaries and traders in the 16th century, Japanese tempura is based on techniques for frying vegetables, such as the famous “Peixinhos da Horta”, and fish used in Portugal, and is linked to the Lenten period, when Catholics avoided meat and opted for fried vegetables and seafood.
However, the Japanese have adapted and refined this technique, making it a symbol of their own cuisine.
9 – The word “saudade” doesn’t translate
Symbolizing a deep feeling of nostalgia and melancholy, “missing something” that has no equal in other languages, the word “saudade” is considered untranslatable.
10 – Portuguese is an official language in 9 countries
Spoken natively by more than 250 million people around the world due to Portugal’s former maritime and colonial expansion, Portuguese is the official language in nine sovereign countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor.
In addition to these, Portuguese is also official in Macau, China, but as this region is not an independent country, it is not part of this CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) list.
These are just 10 of Portugal’s curiosities, a small sample of our country’s historical, cultural and social wealth. Once you get to know them, it becomes clear that we go far beyond the famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts ) and the beautiful coastal landscapes.
With a marked global influence and a unique identity, this nation has definitely earned its place in the world through the boldness of its navigators, the depth of its language and its ability to maintain traditions while innovating.
To discover Portugal is to realize that, even though it is small in geographical size, it plays a truly great role in world history and culture.
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