Why in News? 

India’s President is currently on an official tour to Portugal. 

About Portugal 

• Location: Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, situated on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula. 
• Capital: Lisbon – one of Europe’s oldest cities. 
• Borders: Shares land borders with Spain (north and east) and is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean (south and west). 
• Autonomous Regions: Includes the Madeira and Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean. 
• Currency: Euro (€) 
• Language: Portuguese 
• Government: Parliamentary democracy 
• Climate: Maritime temperate – cool and rainy in the north, warmer and drier in the south. 
• Terrain: The Tagus River flows westward and divides Portugal into two parts—mountainous in the north and rolling plains in the south. 
• Highest Point: Ponta do Pico (also called Pico Alto), located in the Azores. 
• Famous For 
  • Port wine, cork production, and beautiful coastlines 
  • Explorers like Vasco da Gama, who reached India in 1498 
  • Goa was under Portuguese rule until 1961, linking Portugal to India’s colonial history.