20 Curiosities About Portugal

 20 Curiosities About Portugal

Portugal is full of history, but it’s also full of surprises. Here are 20 fun facts that show why this small country is so unique.

1. Portugal has been an independent nation since 1143 , making it one of the oldest in Europe.

2. Portuguese is spoken by over 260 million people around the world.

3. Lisbon is one of the oldest capital cities in Europe, older than London, Paris, and Rome.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most famous people on Earth, is Portuguese and was born on the island of Madeira.

5. Portugal’s dictatorship lasted until 1974, one of the longest in Western Europe.

6. Pastéis de nata (custard tarts) were first made by monks in Lisbon in the 1800s.

7. Portugal produces around 50% of the world’s cork, and it's used for wine bottles, fashion, and even NASA materials.

8. The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is one of the longest in Europe, over 17 km (10.5 miles) long.

9. Port wine has been produced in the Douro Valley for centuries and is aged in cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

10. Fado (traditional Portuguese music) is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage.

11. Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, dividing newly discovered lands outside Europe between them.

12. There are over 100 traditional ways to cook codfish (bacalhau) in Portugal.

13. The famous Portuguese pavement (calçada portuguesa) started in Lisbon and now exists in places like Brazil and Macau.

14. Portugal abolished the death penalty in 1867, one of the earliest countries to do so.

15. The biggest wave ever surfed (over 26 meters!) was in Nazaré, Portugal.

16. Many Portuguese tiles (azulejos) tell stories — from historical battles to city life.

17. Portugal introduced tempura to Japan during the 1500s.

18. Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to reach China by sea and left a lasting legacy in Macau, where Portuguese is still an official language.

19. You’ll find cafés in Lisbon older than many countries. Martinho da Arcada, for example, opened in 1782.

20. Every year, thousands of people walk to Fátima, where 3 children said they saw Virgin Mary in 1917. On the last apparition a crowd witnessed what became known as the " Miracle of Sun".

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