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PORTUGAL AT A GLANCE

Flag of Portugal Portugal is situated on the Atlantic coastline of the Iberian Peninsula. Important for its maritime

created when Alfonso I defeated five Moorish kings at the Battle of Ourique. The coat of arms is set on an armillary sphere, a nautical instrument that recalls the time of the Portuguese maritime voyages of exploration.

history, it was the first European country to send a ship around the world. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986, but remains comparatively poor in relation to other European countries. The flag dates from 1910 when Portugal became a republic, with red symbolizing the revolution that took place and green standing for hope and the sea. The central shield dates back to the twelfth century,

ABOVE: People dining outside in the capital city of Lisbon. 8