Government
System: Semi-presidential Republic
Head of State: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa
Political Parties:
Head of State: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa
Political Parties:
- Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP
- Ecologist Party (The Greens) or PEV
- Portuguese Communist Party or PCP
- Portugal Ahead Coalition or PAF
- Social Democratic Party or PPD/PSD
- Socialist Party or PS
- The Left Bloc or BE
- Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU
Colonial History: Vasco de Gamma reached India in 1948, establishing Portuguese colonies in Asia. The Age of Exploration (which you can read about here) led to Portuguese bases in Mozambique and Zanzibar in Africa. Portugal also started the slave trade in the 15th century from their settlements in Guinea and Angola. In the 16th century, Pedro Cabal discovered Brazil, which Portugal claimed as its own. Brazilians still speak Portuguese to this day. In the 17th century, there were many mission settlements from Portugal, settlers who wanted to spread religion. Eventually, the Portuguese empire fell, but not before leaving a lasting mark on the areas it colonized.
Major Attractions: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Lisbon, Portugal) - King Manuel I commissioned this monastery in order to honor Portugal's age of conquest and discovery. It embodies the architecture of the time, with embellished decoration and luxurious detailing. It also serves as a tomb for national figureheads such as Vasco de Gamma.
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Major Attractions: Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Lisbon, Portugal) - The palace is at the top of a wooded mountain and is in the old town SIntra Velha. It serves as a summer getaway for kings and queens, along with others of wealth, including many artists and writers. The town is painted in pastel lilac, pink, and mustard along the narrow streets. The palace is recognized by its cone-shaped chimneys.
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*Means it is depicted above