Portugal

PORTUGAL

The early history of Portugal, whose name derives from the Roman name Portus Cale, is shared with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. The region was settled by Pre-Celts and Celts, giving origin to peoples like the Gallaeci, Lusitanians, Celtici and Cynetes, visited by Phoenicians and Carthaginians, incorporated in the Roman Republic dominions (as Lusitania after 45 BC), settled again by Suevi, Buri, and Visigoths, and conquered by Moors. Other minor influences include some 5th century vestiges of Alan settlement, which were found in Alenquer, Coimbra and even Lisbon.

In 868, during the Reconquista (by which Christians reconquered the Iberian peninsula from the Muslim and Moorish domination), the First County of Portugal was formed. A victory over the Muslims at Ourique in 1139 is traditionally taken as the occasion when Portugal was transformed from a county (County of Portugal as a fief of the Kingdom of León) into an independent kingdom: the Kingdom of Portugal.

The capital city is Lisbon. In Portugal there are 10,570,000 people. Located in southwestern Europe, Portugal is the western most country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.

Lisbon Landmarks

As the proud and somewhat historic Portuguese capital, Lisbon is home to many of the country’s most important landmarks and ancient treasures. Countless monuments to the past are scattered all around the Lisbon region and few are more impressive than the Castle of Sao Jorge (Castelo de Sao Jorge), which stands proudly atop the highest hill in Lisbon city centre, quite literally dominating the area from its elevated position of more than 100 metres / 328 feet.

The great Portuguese earthquake of 1755 played an important part of shaping Lisbon and many of the city’s most impressive landmarks were either badly damaged or completely destroyed by this natural disaster, such as the Arco da Rua Augusta, the Casa dos Bicos and the Castelo de Sao Jorge itself. However, an ambitious and successful reconstruction plan was soon implemented and the main landmarks were either rebuilt, renovated or remodelled at this time.

Landmark in Portugal arco-da-rua-augusta

casa-dos-bicos

castelo-de-sao-jorge

Nicole Sciberras

Year 5A