Portugal: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Portugal

Portugal is a country on the western edge of Europe, sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Spain. It has a long Atlantic coastline, cork forests and rolling hills, plus the Azores and Madeira islands far out at sea. It is famous for its explorers, beaches, painted tiles and custard tarts.

About Lisbon

Lisbon lies on hills beside the wide mouth of the Tagus River, close to the Atlantic coast. It is known for its yellow trams, tiled buildings and the Belém Tower, near where explorers once set sail.

Fun facts about Portugal

1. Cabo da Roca, near Lisbon, is the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
2. Portugal produces about half of the world's cork, which is peeled from the bark of cork oak trees.
3. Surfers ride some of the biggest waves ever surfed at Praia do Norte in Nazaré.
4. Many Portuguese buildings are decorated with painted ceramic tiles called azulejos.
5. Pastéis de nata, small custard tarts with flaky pastry, are a favourite Portuguese treat.
6. Portugal's highest mountain, Mount Pico, is a volcano on an island in the Azores.