Key Facts
Location
Portugal is located in Western Europe.
Time
GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).
Population
10.6 million (2006 estimate).
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 230 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.
Money
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Mortgages in Portugal are arranged in Euros.
Public Holidays in Portugal
Below are listed Portuguese Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival).
21-24 Mar Easter.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labour Day.
22 May Corpus Christi.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb Mardi Gras (Carnival).
10-13 Apr Easter.
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labour Day.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
11 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Climate
The northwest of Portugal has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers. In the south, summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn. High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
