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Portugal

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Officially known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is country situated on the Iberian Peninsula and is the westernmost nation of mainland Europe. The present Portugal had been inhabited as early as the first millennium BC with different ethnic groups. The Romans, Islamic Moors, and Spanish have also occupied Portugal for significant periods. Portugal gained global economic, cultural, and political supremacy between 15th and 16th centuries with vast colonies in Asia, Africa, and South America. Its government is parliamentary democratic republic headed by the prime minister.

About 85% of the Portuguese population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith. Several holidays, traditions, and festivities take root from Christianity. The Portuguese literature is considered to be one of the most primitive in the Western literatures evolved through songs and writing. Perhaps the most popular delicacy in Portugal is the dry cod (bacalhau) for which there are hundreds of recipes. Common fast food dishes include the francesinha, bifanas,a nd prego. No doubt that football is the most popular and very much loved sport all throughout the country. Portugal has the several reputable universities that are renowned such as the University of Porto and the University of Coimbra which is the oldest university in Portugal built in 1290. Education in Portugal comprises of basic, secondary, and higher educations.

Portugal is a modernized country and one of the world’s top 20 countries with highest quality of life. It was ranked 22nd in 2006 based on global competitiveness by the World Economic Forum leading other European powers such as France, Spain Belgium, and Ireland. Its GDP in 2006 is valued at $232 billion based on PPP. Though in 2007, The Economist dubbed Portugal as “a new sick man of Europe”.