The Algarve is the most southern part of Portugal. Portugal is part of the Iberian Peninsula formed together with Spain.

Facts and figures about Portugal?

HIstory of Portugal

Why Algarve Portugal?

• rich in historical places and architecture
• fine food
• good wine
• beautiful beaches
• famous golf courses
• inexpensive
• friendly people
• fantastic nature
  

This video shows you a variety of things to do and see in the Algarve, Portugal.

East, Central and West Algarve

In the Eastern Algarve you will find beautiful places like Tavira, Olhão and Faro (where the airport is). In Central Algarve you will find the lively coastal resorts of Vilamoura, Albufeira and Carvoeiro.
In Western Algarve Portugal the historical towns of Lagos and Alvor are definitely worth a visit.

All our rental villas located in beautiful region Algarve Portugal. We have villas for rent near the coast. Further inland of the Algarve Portugal we rent some nice luxury villas near the historical Silves  with its Moorish castle. And last but not least, we have some fantastic villas for rent in the Monchique mountain area, in the hinterland of Portimão.

Each region of Algarve Portugal has its own character and charism.

East Algarve

Eastern Algarve is relatively quiet and peaceful. This part of the Algarve offers a lot of beautiful nature and several natural parks. The beaches are beautiful and quiet.

Central Algarve

In Central Algarve you will find a lot of lively coastal resorts that offer restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, boulevards and souvenir stalls. There are lots of possibilities for watersports and other leisure activities. Central Algarve Portugal has some of the finest beaches of the Algarve and a spectacular coast with golden rock formations.

West Algarve

Western Algarve also offers some very fine beaches. The western part of Algarve Portugal is famous for its surfing conditions. Along the coast, you will find a lot of laid-back villages, beautiful unspoiled nature and some attractive historical towns.

Facts and figures about Portugal?

Portugal is the hidden gem of Europe and the Algarve is the hidden gem of Portugal. We know by now, the Algarve has breath-taking coastline, best beaches of Europe, best golf courses of Europe…. but what do you actually know of this country?

You have made the decision to spend your holidays to Portugal, or maybe even a longer period, or you live in Portugal? 

Algarve Housing has put some social and geographical facts of Portugal, for you:

Geography of Portugal

Portugal is situated in the south of Europe, at the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain on its northern and eastern frontiers, and with the Atlantic Ocean surrounding its southern and western frontiers. Its total size is 92 391 km2, including the islands of Madeira and the Açores, and 620 km2 of water.

 Rivers in Portugal

Several rivers cross the country, mostly originating in Spain and dropping into the Atlantic Ocean. The main, primary ones, from north to south, are the Minho, the Douro, The Mandego, the Tagus and the Guadiana.

North of the Tagus River, the landscape is characterized by mountains intersected by deep valleys. The highest peak of 1993 m lies in the Serra da Estrela.

South of the Tagus, it is wide plain and rolling hills that make up the landscape, planted mostly with Mediterranean trees like cork oaks, olive trees, figs, vineyards.

 Climate in Portugal

Most of Portugal boasts a pleasant warm Mediterranean climate. Annual temperatures lie between 12°C and 13°C in the north of Portugal, and between 17°C and 18 °C in the south. The Algarve in the south of Portugal,  is drier and warmer than the north, reason why this region is so popular with tourists. 

The Portuguese population

The number of inhabitants of Portugal lie around 10,29 million (in 2018). Most live concentrated along the coast, especially around the capital, Lisbon, and the second major city, Porto. The regions of Alentejo, the interior area of the Algarve, Trás-os-Montes and Beiras have very low density.

 Traditionally, Portugal is a country of emigration, with more than 5 million Portuguese people living abroad. In the last few decades, Portugal has received many immigrants from Brazil, Portuguese-speaking African countries and Eastern European countries. In the last few years, many northern Europeans have chosen Portugal as their base country.

 Politics in Portugal

Portugal has been a Republic since the overthrow of the monarchy in 1910. It is only on April 25^th 

1974, with the Carnation revolution that ended a 22 year-long dictatorship, that a Democratic Republic was installed. A President is elected every 5 years as the chief of State and representing the Nation. He then appoints a Prime Minister, who is the head of the Government and appoints the Council of Ministers.

 Administrative division

Portugal is divided into seven regions: Porto and North; Center; Lisbon and Tagus Valley; Alentejo; Algarve; the Madeira islands; and the Azores islands. These, in turn, are divided into 18 districts for the sake of administration.

Religion in Portugal

The predominant religion in Portugal is Christianity. 81% of the nation is Catholic, although most do not practice very actively. However, it is a very common tradition to have your children baptized, to marry in church and to receive the Last Rites.

Economy in Portugal

Portugal joined the European Community in 1986 and since then, has increasingly diversified its economy, turning it into a more service-based economy. Especially tourism has increased lately.

Over the past decades, the government has privatized many state-controlled firms. The country’s economy was badly affected by the financial crisis in 2007-2008, but has since 2014 recovered significantly. However, struggles are still tangible, and the minimum wage was only 557 euros in 2017.

Algarve Housing hopes that with this bit of background information on Portugal, you become more aware of the country you have chosen as your destination and make your Portugal holiday even more interesting. 

Algarve Housing rent villas in the Algarve. Please have a look around for your private paradise in the Algarve, or contact me for any more information.

History of Portugal in a nutshell

While you are on holiday in the Algarve, you will see many historical remnants of different eras.  Algarve Housing has put the main historical eras that had a great influence on what Portuguese culture is today, in a row. Let’s talk about the history of Portugal:

Roman Era

During Romanization, from 140 BC till about 452 AD, Portugal was known as Lusitania. The Romans brought Latin, the foundation of the Portuguese language, and developed mining and agriculture (particularly wine).

The Middle Ages in Portugal

When the Roman Empire fell, the Visigoths took over the Iberian Peninsula and laid the strong foundation of the Church. However, the Moors invaded the Peninsula in 711 and occupied Portugal until 1249. In 1279, Portugal became an independent kingdom from Spain and Afonso Henriques its first king. Until today, the borders remain the same.

Imperial Era

Portugal was turned into a powerful nation. It was the age of discovery, with famous explorers like Vasco da Gama, who discovered the route to India, Fernando Magallan, who sailed around the world, and Bartolomeu Dias, who sailed around Africa. Countries were colonized, such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique (and more). Portugal was one of the leading world powers, with Spain as its biggest rival. 

Decline and restoration

When in 1578, King Sebastian was killed in Africa and left no heir, Portugal entered a period of chaos with many wars in Europe and trouble in the Colonies that led to a steady decline of its empire. In 1580, King Philip II of Spain invaded Portugal.

After the Restauration War, from 1640 to 1668, it managed to defeat Spain, which recognised Portugal’s independence. 

Napoleon and the First Republic

The 19^th century saw an invasion by Napoleon, which was eventually seen off with the help of the British Empire, with whom they had always kept a good relationship, Portuguese Independence was restored in 1812. There followed turbulent times.

On the 5^th of October 1910, after a Republican revolution, the King resigned and the First Portuguese Republic was established. Until today, this Dia da Republica remains a national holiday in Portugal.

Dictatorship and the Carnation Revolution

In 1926, a Military Coup brought an end to the First Republic, the beginning of a long dictatorship led by Salazar with nationalism and isolation as his guiding motors. He established the Second Portuguese Republic in 1933. Nearly half a century of oppression and censorship followed, pushing Portugal into national poverty and social divide. Alongside the suppression of the increasing pressure for independence from the Portuguese Colonies that cost many Portuguese lifes and a lot of money, this led to a peaceful Carnation Revolution on the 25^th of April 1974 by the military, without one single gunshot. An end was made to a dictatorship that left a deep impact on the population. This day is a national holiday still celebrated every year in Portugal

Democracy and EU membership

Democracy was installed, it marked the beginning of the Third Republic with its first elections in 1975. All remaining Portuguese colonies were granted independence. However, the first ten years of the 3^rd Republic were years of economic trouble. In 1986, Portugal joined the European Union. The growth of many of Portugal’s main exporting companies and the European Union’s structural funds were leading forces in a new period of robust economic growth and socio-economic development which would last to the early 2000s, when Portugal joined the Euro.