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EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TODAY: PORTUGAL

ABOVE: Lagoa Comprida is the largest lake in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

square kilometers), which makes it slightly smaller than the state of Indiana. The nation also includes two Atlantic island chains: the Azores and Madeira Islands. North, Center, and South: Different Lands Although it only measures 350 miles (560 kilometers) from north to south, Portugal is divided geographically between these areas. The central region of the country contains its capital, Lisbon. Geographically, this area has pine forests and gently rolling land. In the north, the land tens to be more fertile and better suited for growing crops such as corn and grapes. This region also contains several rivers and forests. For these reasons, the north is more populated than the south. Many of its cities are located on the rivers, which provide water and trade routes , both historically and today.

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