🇵🇹 Portugal Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of This Fascinating Country

The Assembleia da República (Assembly of the Republic) is the unicameral legislative body of Portugal. It is responsible for passing laws and overseeing the government.

Portugal’s Estado Novo dictatorship, led by António de Oliveira Salazar and later Marcelo Caetano, ended with the Carnation Revolution in April 1974. It was a peaceful military coup that restored democracy in the country.

Azulejos are colorful, decorative ceramic tiles commonly seen on the walls of buildings, churches, and train stations in Portugal. They often depict historical or religious scenes and are a key element of Portuguese art and architecture.

Portugal adopted the Euro (€) in 2002, replacing the Portuguese Escudo. As a member of the Eurozone, Portugal uses the euro as its official currency for all domestic and international trade.

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in Portugal, practiced by around 80-90% of the population. The church has deep roots in Portuguese history and culture.

Fado is a genre of traditional Portuguese music characterized by sorrowful melodies and lyrics that often express themes of longing, fate, and nostalgia. It originated in Lisbon in the 19th century and remains a key part of Portuguese culture.

Portugal has a western coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, stretching over 800 kilometers. This geographic feature played a significant role in the Age of Exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries, as Portuguese explorers set out across the Atlantic to chart new trade routes.

The Tagus River (Rio Tejo in Portuguese) is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, flowing westward from Spain into Portugal and emptying into the Atlantic at Lisbon. It plays a central role in the city’s geography and history.

The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km west of Lisbon. They are an autonomous region of Portugal and are known for their natural beauty, crater lakes, and geothermal springs.

The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, signed in 1373, is the oldest active diplomatic alliance in the world. It has been reaffirmed over centuries and continues to shape the defense and foreign policies of both nations.

Cristiano Ronaldo, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was born in Funchal, Madeira in 1985. He has played for major clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and the Portugal national team.

In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, later named the Cape of Good Hope. This voyage proved that a sea route to the Indian Ocean was possible, paving the way for Vasco da Gama’s journey to India.

Porto is located in northern Portugal and is famous for its port wine, historic architecture, and the Douro River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important cultural and economic hub.

Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language in Portugal. It evolved from the Latin spoken by Roman settlers and is now a global language, spoken in countries like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and others due to Portugal’s colonial history.

Mount Estrela, or Serra da Estrela, is the highest point in mainland Portugal, reaching 1,993 meters (6,539 feet). It’s a popular destination for skiing and hiking.

Portugal officially became a member of the European Economic Community (now the European Union) on January 1, 1986. Joining the EU marked a major step in Portugal's modernization and integration into Western Europe's economic and political systems.

The Iberian Peninsula is located in the southwest corner of Europe and is primarily occupied by Spain and Portugal. The region has a rich history involving various civilizations, including the Moors, Romans, and Visigoths.

Bacalhau (salted codfish) is a staple of Portuguese cuisine. There are said to be more than 365 different ways to prepare it—one for each day of the year.

TAP Air Portugal is the national flag carrier, established in 1945. TAP operates both domestic and international flights and is well known for connecting Europe to Africa and South America, particularly Brazil.

Port wine is a sweet fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. It is aged in barrels and often enjoyed as a dessert wine. The city of Porto is central to its trade and export.

Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and its largest city. Located along the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Tagus River, Lisbon is the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country. It is also one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, predating even Rome, Paris, and London.

Portugal shares its only land border with Spain, extending approximately 1,214 kilometers. This makes it one of the few European countries with just one neighbor. The rest of Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.

Portugal established colonies across Africa, including Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde. These colonies played a significant role in the Portuguese Empire, which was one of the longest-lasting empires in history.

Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal. Though it is primarily within Portugal, the Iberian mountain systems extend into Spain. The region is known for its natural park and Portugal’s highest peak on the mainland.

In 1494, Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing newly discovered lands outside Europe between them along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. This treaty allowed Portugal to claim Brazil and parts of Africa and Asia.