Portugal History
With such a long sea coast, it is not surprising that Portugal has witnessed so many sailings and arrivals. This is why we have been open to the world and to communication for so long. We have assimilated peoples of different origins: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans (who left us our language), northern Europeans and peoples from Mauritania. In spite of all these mixtures, Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe. In the 12th century, the country gained its independence from the other kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula thanks to Count Afonso Henriques, who was our first king at his own wish. A century later, with the conquest of the Algarve, Portugal was todefinitively establish its continental border.
In the late 13th century, King Dinis founded our university, one of the oldest in Europe, and took it to the beautiful city of Coimbra. In the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail to Africa, the distant Orient and the heart of South America, from where we brought a wealth of treasures. Even before advancing along the coast of Africa, we discovered the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, which are part of our territory in the Atlantic.
After a dynastic crisis and a period under the rule of the Spanish crown, in 1640 a Portuguese king took the throne once more, because, although we are discrete, we have a strong sense of independence. In the 18th century, King Joćo V, an absolutist monarch and a patron of the arts, built a huge palace and convent in Mafra and the great aqueduct that supplied Lisbons water. In the 19th century, the monarchy was weakened by clashes between different factions and, in 1910, it was overthrown and Portugal became a republic.
We have been members of the EU since 1986, though we still value our own virtues.
From this brief history, you will see that our art is a little different from that you already know.
Note some of the peculiarities, especially the "Manueline" style, which exalted the age of the discoveries, the way we have learned to work with tiles and our fado, the song of nostalgia.
Consult Portugal's new promotional campaign and discover a modern, cosmopolitan and entrepreneurial country located on Europe's West Coast - an ideal location for investment, creativity and relaxation.
Launched on December 13, 2007 the date on which the Treaty of Lisbon will be signed by the European Union's 27 member states - this campaign promotes Portugal as a whole, including its tourism and cultural offer, exports, investment attraction, technical capacity, innovation and creative force.
Recommended ways to travel to the Algarve this summer
Airlines:
Our tourist partners:
The Vigia Group
Hilton Vilamoura
Surrounded by four hectares of idyllic, romantic gardens, Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa is paradise recreated. The modern architecture has distinctive Moorish accents, in keeping with the Algarve's heritage, complemented by enormous pools, cascading waterways, and grottos that evoke a sense of complete serenity.
Bet on all the latest football matches and horse racing with our betting partner Bet 365, click below
All images and content are Ó Copyright Protected 2008 - The Algarve Challenge Cup
Algarve Challenge Cup | Algarve Challenge Cup Information | Algarve Challenge Cup Team Information | Algarve Challenge Cup Ticket Sales | Algarve Challenge Cup Partners | Algarve Challenge Cup Tourist Information | Algarve Challenge Cup Contact Information
