Travel Guide Portugal - Country Information

Coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
Population: 10,605,870 (July 2006 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)
Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Elevation: 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
Hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Background Portugal: Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Summary of recommendations:No special immunizations or medications are necessary for most trips to Portugal