Portugal is far more surprising than its size suggests. Here are twelve interesting facts about Portugal — a country that gave the world port wine, fado and even tempura, and has been quietly shaping history for nearly nine centuries.
Portugal travel guide
12 Fascinating Facts About Portugal
From the world’s oldest bookshop to the birthplace of tempura — twelve things that will surprise you about Europe’s oldest nation.
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1
Portugal is the oldest nation-state in Europe
Its borders have remained almost unchanged since 1139, making Portugal the oldest fixed-border nation on the continent.
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2
It gave the world tempura
Portuguese missionaries introduced batter-frying to Japan in the 16th century — the word “tempura” even comes from the Latin tempora.
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3
Portugal produces half the world’s cork
The cork oak is the national tree. Its bark is stripped by hand without harming the tree and regrows every nine years.
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4
Lisbon is older than Rome
Portugal’s capital predates Rome by around four centuries, making it one of the oldest cities in Western Europe.
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5
It once had Europe’s longest bridge
The Vasco da Gama Bridge over the Tagus stretches 12.3km and was the longest in Europe when it opened in 1998.
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6
Fado is UNESCO cultural heritage
Portugal’s soulful national music was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. Read more in our guide to Portuguese culture.
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7
Home to the world’s oldest bookshop
Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon has been trading since 1732 and holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest operating bookstore on earth.
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8
The University of Coimbra is over 730 years old
Founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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9
Portugal abolished the death penalty early
It was among the first countries in the world to abolish capital punishment for civil crimes, back in 1867.
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10
Portuguese navigators mapped the globe
During the Age of Discovery, explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan opened sea routes to India and around the world.
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11
True port comes only from the Douro
Genuine port must be produced in the demarcated Douro Valley, established in 1756 and one of the world’s oldest wine regions.
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12
Cristiano Ronaldo has his own airport
In 2017 the island of Madeira renamed its international airport after its most famous son.
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