Essay About Republic Of Portugal And Official Language Of The Country

The Republic of Portugal
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The republic of Portugal is located in the southwestern part of
Europe, situated in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula,
bordered by Spain on the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean
on the south and west. The Azores and Madeira Islands in the
Atlantic are independent regions of Portugal, considered integral
parts of the republic. Portugal administers one overseas
territory, Macau (Macao) in eastern Asia near Hong Kong. Macau is
scheduled to return to Chinese administration in 1999. The total
area of metropolitan Portugal, including the Azores (2247 sq.
km./868 sq. mi.) and the Madeira Islands (794 sq. km./307 sq.
mi.), is 92,345 sq. km. (35,655 sq.mi.). The capital and the
largest city is Lisbon.
Climate varies in Portugal according to the altitude in
which you are located. Low temperatures occur only in the
comparatively low regions of the south. The mean annual
temperature north of the Douro River is about 10 C (about 50 F).
Between Tajo and Douro the temperature is about 16 C (about 60
F). The temperatures in the valley of the Guadiana are at about
18 C (about 65 F). Rainfall is very heavy, especially in the
north.
Minerals are the most valuable natural resources in
Portugal. Much of these resources were developed until after
World War 2 (1939-1945). Some of the mineral resources are coal,
copper, gold, iron ore, kaolin, tin, and wolframite, which is
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source of tungsten. The most sufficient trees are the evergreen
oak, cork, poplar, and olive. Portugal is also a home of many
kinds of wild animals. some of these wild animals include the
wolf, lynx, wildcat, fox, wild boar, wild goat, deer, and hare.
Portugal also has big waterpower resources in its rivers and
mountain streams.
The Portuguese are a combination of several ethnic
elements, principally Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, and later
Moors. The people still live for the most part, in rural
villages. The population of Portugal, including the Azores and
Madeira Islands, is 9,931,045. The overall population density is
108 people per sq. km. (280 per sq. mi.). Mainland Portugal is
divided into 18 districts for administrative causes: Aveiro,
Beja, Braga, Bragnca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Д‰vora, Faro,
Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Porto, Portalegre, SantarД©m, SetДєbal,
Viana do Castelo, Villa Real, and Viseu. The Azores and the
Madeira Islands each constitute an autonomous region.
Roman Catholicism is the faith of more than 94 percent
of the Portuguese people. The Constitution guarantees freedom of
religion, and some Protestant churches have been established. The
official language of the country is Portuguese.
Portuguese culture is closely related to the Spanish culture
and has