The Portuguese Republic shares the Iberian Peninsula of Western Europe with Spain and includes the islands of Azores and Madeira. This nation of northern mountains and rolling plains in the south is home to 9.8 million people, including 2.8 million in the capital of Lisbon and another 1.7 million in the Atlantic Ocean coast city of Porto. Yet, only 30 percent of Portuguese people are city dwellers. Ninety-seven percent of the population are Portuguese and more than 1 million additional Portuguese people live and work in other European nations. Worldwide there are more than 190 million Portuguese speakers—including those living in Brazil and several African nations.

The Kingdom of Portugal became independent in 1143 and rose to be a world power in the 15^th and 16^th centuries. In 1910, a revolution deposed the monarchy, and a republic was established. Over time, its power dwindled and it became impoverished following years of dictatorships and colonial wars. A 1974 revolution ended 48 years of dictatorship, and a parliamentary democracy was established. The following year Portugal granted independence to its African colonies. Portugal was a founding member of NATO and entered the European Union in 1986.

In economic terms, Portugal’s rapid improvements came with democratic stability and the later joining of the European Union. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest sectors of the economy today. The average income is $11,000 per person or 35 percent of the U.S. average. Portugal also boasts a low unemployment rate of only 4 percent.