Portugal

Quick Facts: Who was Portugal?

Subject:

Portugal

Known for:

Southwestern European nation, famed for its maritime history and the Azores.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country in Southwestern Europe. Mainland Portugal is located on the southwestern portion of the Iberian Peninsula, and bordered by Spain to the north and east. Portugal also includes the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. The country has a population of 11.4 million, and Lisbon, its capital, is the largest city.

Career & Major Achievements

Portugal's internal waters and territorial sea together account for two-fifths of its territory, and its exclusive economic zone is one of Europe's largest. The country's terrain contains a diverse range of landscapes and regional climates. The western Iberian Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistory, with the earliest signs of settlement dating to between 5500 BC and 5300 BC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Muslims had occupied the Iberian Peninsula since 711. As a result of the Reconquista against them, Portugal was established as a county of the Kingdom of León in 868 and formally as a kingdom in 1179. During the Age of Discovery, the kingdom made several advancements in nautical science and maritime exploration to discover new territories and sea routes, which led to the establishment of the Portuguese Empire.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1179: 1179 Milestone — As a result of the Reconquista against them, Portugal was established as a county of the Kingdom of León in 868 and formally as a kingdom in 1179.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Portugal

True or False: “Portugal's extensive internal waters and territorial sea account for a significant portion of its total national territory.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The country's internal waters and territorial sea together account for two-fifths of its total territory, highlighting its deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Hildegard of Bingen — Historical peer (Died in 1179) (1179): Benedictine abbess, polymath, mystic, and composer of the High Middle Ages.
• Snorri Sturluson — Historical peer (Born in 1179) (1179): Icelandic historian, poet, and politician, renowned for the Prose Edda and Heimskringla.
• Potchefstroom — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Academic city in North West, South Africa, known for its historical educational institutions.
• Powhatan Confederacy — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A powerful confederacy of Native American nations in Tidewater Virginia.
• Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A short-lived, unrecognized Soviet separatist republic on the Dniester River.
• Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Ecclesiastical principality and state within the Holy Roman Empire.

Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal