Portugal is located in Europe and bordered by Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. It has a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters, and terrain that includes many mountains north of the Tagus River and rolling plains in the south. Portugal is predominantly Roman Catholic, though it also has small Muslim, Jewish, and other Christian communities. Portugal is famous for foods like salted codfish and soup, wines like port and madeira, soccer, and bullfighting. Traditional Portuguese holidays center around Christmas and traditional dress includes berets, stocking caps, and long dresses. Portugal has a rich artistic tradition including azulejo tiles, graffiti art, and pottery sometimes

1. Olá Portugal Presenter & Writer Edvija Jaic Written By: Edvija Jahic

2. Global Location As you can tell, Portugal is partially outlined by Spain and the rest is outlined by the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is in Europe, and is also one of Europe’s oldest nations.

3. Climate & Terrain Either standing facing the Atlantic Ocean or sitting close to the Mediterranean sea, Portugal has a mild winter and a warm summer with average temperatures during the months of June and July rising to 26’C or 78.8’F. Being closer to the coast = the more moderate temperatures you get. Inland, temperatures can be extremely hot, escalating as high as 40’Cor 104’F. There are many mountains north of the Tagus River, and rolling plains in south.

4. Religious Beliefs Portugal’s religion was found to be extremely Roman Catholic, according to a common saying, "to be Portuguese is to be Catholic," and approximately 86 percent of the population considered itself Roman Catholic, the highest percentage in Western Europe. But you can find small Christian Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Mormon and Buddhist communities.

5. What Portugal is Best Known For Portugal is famous for many things. Bacalhau, which is salted codfish, is one of the famous foods, as well as Caldo Verde, which is green soup made from thin shreds of tender, deep green cabbage, which is usually cooked with smoked sausages. Portugal is also famous for its fortified wines, Port and Madeira, and fresh beer. Some sports that are famous in Portugal are soccer and bullfighting. Cristiano Ronaldo, LuísFigo and Eusébio da Silva Ferreira are some of the great soccer players.

6. Portugal’s Traditions Most Portuguese holidays are centered around the Christian calendar. The most important holiday celebrated by the Portuguese is Christmas on December 25th, called Christmas in Vila Vehla. Their traditional clothing consist of berets, stocking caps, baggy shirts and trousers for the men and women wore long dresses and shawls. Children make their own decisions, but because of their amount of freedom, they aren't allowed to leave the home until they are married and have their own children. Christmas Lights in Lisbon, Portugal.

7. Achievements Portugal has its own theatre tradition and many small museums and galleries, even in smaller cities. In 1486, Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to sail around what was known as the Cape of Storms at the southern tip of Africa. Afterward it was renamed the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco de Gama was the first European to sail all the way to India in 1497. Both were from Portugal.

8. Popular form of Portugal Art is the Azulejo. Azulejos are creamic tiles arranged in order to create colorful paintings with the use of majolica technique.  Art Forms  In this picture, you might be able to notice that the art is on a wall.. On the street. This is called Graffiti Art. ^Pottery is a very unique art form. In Portugal, you may find silver or even gold in many pieces of pottery.