Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain. However refreshing sea breezes make for pleasant conditions. Winters are cold and wet, particularly in the northern and west coast regions. Spring and autumn are good times to visit with cheaper rates at hotels and less crowded beaches, restaurants and golf courses.

Portuguese language is one of the Romance languages. Like all other languages of the group, Portuguese is a direct modern descendant of Latin, the vernacular Latin of the Roman soldier and colonist rather than the classical Latin of the cultured Roman citizen.

The Portuguese Escudo is the currency of Portugal. Until the introduction of the euro in 2002, 100 centavos made up escudo. Its symbol, similar to the US Dollar ($) except for with 2 bars instead of one, was called the cifrao.

http://www.portugal.visahq.com

The population of Portugal in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 10, 062, 000, which placed it as number 78 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 16% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 16% of the population under 15 years of age.

Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal, with a population of 564, 657 within its administrative limits on a land area of 84.8 km2 (33 sq mi).