On the western side of the Iberian Peninsula, we find Portugal. It is the country in Europe that is most to the west. Portugal has only one land border to the north and east, which is Spain. It also has a coastline with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The country includes the independent regions of Azores and Madeira. Portugal’s’ economy’s most important areas in 2012 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (25.0 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (19.5 %) and industry (18.7 %). For Portugal, export and import partners are mainly done through Spain, France and Germany.
Capital
Lisbon
Geographical size
92 211.9 km2
Population
10 542 398 (2012)
Population as % of total EU population
2.1% (2012)
GDP
€ 165.107 billion (2012)
Official EU language(s)
Portuguese
Political system
Semi-presidential republic
EU member country since
1 January 1986
Seats in the European Parliament
21
Currency
Eurozone member since 1 January 1999
Schengen area member
Yes, Schengen Area member since 25 June 1991.
Presidency of the Council
Portugal has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 3 times between 1992 and 2007