Recruitment Portugal

FACTS ABOUT PORTUGAL

Portugal is a country situated on the west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is divided into three geographic areas by the three large rivers which rise in Spain flow across Portugal and into the Atlantic. The Minho to the north cuts through a mountainous area which extends south to the Douri River. Southward again, mountains join the plains around the Tejo River.

The Lusitanians were an early Celtic tribe who were believed to be the first inhabitants in Portugal. It was conquered by the Romans and subsequently invaded by the Visigoths.

Portugal won its independence from the Moors who were ruling Spain in 1143. With explorers such as Dias and Vasco da Gama in the 15th century proving that Asia and India were accessible by sea, the Portuguese Empire had extended to West and East Africa, Brazil, Persia, Indochina and the Malayan peninsula by the middle of the sixteenth century. There are over 200,000,000 Portuguese speakers around the world today.

For almost half of the twentieth century Portugal was in the drip of a dictatorship which resulted in expensive wars in Africa. A bloodless coup known as the Revolution of the Carnations brought this to an end in 1974 when a democratic socialist government came into power.

There are some beautiful beaches along Lisbon's coastline with the Estoril Coast full of spectacular palaces and villas following the course of the River Tagus. Guincho Beach near Cascals is ideal for surfing and windsurfing, while the Costa da Caparica has a fifteen kilometer stretch of golden, sandy beaches.

The buses and trains are a cheap and efficient method of getting around, car hire is inexpensive. The south side of the River Tagus can be reached by ferry.

The golfing facilities here are excellent with numerous courses to choose from right cross the country and five championship courses on the south side of the river.