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Extensible Markup Language | 1995-06-13 | 6KB | 19 lines

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> <!DOCTYPE card PUBLIC "-//Apple, Inc.//DTD card V 2.0//EN" "" > <card> <id>39347</id> <filler1>0</filler1> <cantDelete> <false /> </cantDelete> <showPict> <true /> </showPict> <dontSearch> <false /> </dontSearch> <owner>5472</owner> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet_3106.css" /> <content> <layer>background</layer> <id>31</id> <text>PORTUGALOfficial name: A Rep├║blica Portuguesa (The Portuguese Republic)Member of: UN, EU/EC, NATO, OSCEArea: 92389 km2 (35672 sq mi), including Madeira and the AzoresPopulation: 10421000 (1993 est)Capital: Lisbon (Lisboa) 2131000 (city 950000; Amadora 100000; Barreiro 55000; 1990 est)Other major cities: Oporto (Porto) 1695000 (city 450000; Vila Nova de Gaia 65000), Set├║bal 80000, Co├¡mbra 75000, Braga 67000 (1990 est)Language: Portuguese (official; 100%)Religion: Roman Catholic (94%)Portuguese overseas territory: (with area, population and capital) ΓÇô 18 km2 (7 sq mi), 378000 (1993 est), MacauGOVERNMENTAn executive President is elected for a five-year term by universal adult suffrage. The 230-member Assembly is directly elected for four years. The President appoints a Prime Minister who commands a majority in the Assembly. The PM, in turn, appoints a Council of Ministers (Cabinet), responsible to the Assembly. Madeira and the Azores have their own autonomous governments.GEOGRAPHYBehind a coastal plain, Portugal north of the River Tagus is a highland region at the center of which is the mainlandΓÇÖs principal mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, rising to 1993 m (6539 ft). A wide plateau in the northeast is a continuation of the Spanish Meseta. Portugal south of the Tagus is mainly an undulating lowland. The Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores are respectively nearly 1000 km (620 mi) and 1200 km (745 mi) southwest of the mainland. At 2315 m (7713 ft), Pico in the Azores is PortugalΓÇÖs highest peak. Principal river: Tagus (Rio Tejo) 1007 km (626 mi). Climate: Portugal has a mild and temperate climate which is wetter and more Atlantic in the north, and drier, hotter and more Mediterranean inland and in the south.ECONOMYAgriculture involves 15% of the labor force, but lacks investment following land reforms in the 1970s, since when production has fallen. Major crops include wheat and maize, grapes (for wines such as port and Madeira), tomatoes, potatoes and cork trees. Portugal lacks natural resources. Manufacturing industry includes textiles and clothing (both of which are major exports), footwear, food processing, cork products, and, increasingly, electrical appliances and petrochemicals. Tourism and money sent back by Portuguese working abroad are major foreign-currency earners. Despite impressive recent economic development Portugal remains Western EuropeΓÇÖs poorest country. Currency: Escudo.HISTORYThe north of Portugal resisted the Muslim conquests in the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century. Reconquest of Portuguese territory from the Muslims was slow, but Portugal ΓÇô a kingdom from 1139 ΓÇô established its present boundaries in 1270. In the 15th century Portugal became a dynamic trading nation. Prince Henry the Navigator (1394ΓÇô1460) became a leading patron of Portuguese exploration, which in the 15th century had mapped much of the West African coast. By the middle of the 16th century Portugal had laid the foundations of a vast colonial empire in Brazil, Africa and Asia.On the extinction of the Aviz dynasty in 1580, the thrones of Spain and Portugal were united, until a revolution in 1640 led to the accession of the Portuguese Braganza family. In the 17th and 18th centuries Portuguese power declined, but the country retained major colonies. In 1807 the royal family fled to Brazil to escape a Napoleonic invasion. King John VI did not return from Brazil until 1821, and, in his absence, the Portuguese had established a liberal constitution. Dynastic problems began when John VIΓÇÖs son Pedro declared Brazil independent (1822), and they continued in a crippling civil war (1832ΓÇô34) between liberal constitutionalists supporting Queen Maria II (PedroΓÇÖs daughter) and absolutists under the rival King Miguel (PedroΓÇÖs brother). Instability continued for much of the 19th century. PortugalΓÇÖs African empire was confirmed, although the country lacked the power to gain more territory in the scramble for Africa.The monarchy was overthrown in 1910, but the Portuguese republic proved unstable and the military took power in 1926. From 1932 to 1968, under the dictatorship of Premier Antonio Salazar (1889ΓÇô1970), stability was achieved but at great cost. Portugal became a one-party state, and expensive colonial wars dragged on as Portugal attempted to check independence movements in Angola and Mozambique. In 1974 there was a left-wing military coup whose leaders granted independence to the African colonies (1974ΓÇô75), and initially attempted to impose Marxism on the country. However, elections in 1976 decisively rejected the far left. Civilian rule was restored as Portugal effected a transition from dictatorship to democracy, and simultaneously ΓÇô through the loss of empire and membership of the EC ΓÇô became more closely integrated with the rest of Europe.</text> </content> <name>Portugal</name> <script></script> </card>