Welcome to Portugal

Bemvido!

The Republic of Portugal, one of Europe's fastest modernizing countries, faces the millennium from roots as a nation state that date back to the early 1100's. With borders that have remained consistent since the 13th century, it ranks as one of the world's oldest established countries, proud of its stable international relations and homogenous society. The country led the way to world-wide exploration and discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its historic and cultural influences are illustrated by the fact that Portuguese is the first language of nearly 200 million people throughout the world. The country's population of about 10 million people is largely concentrated in the capital, Lisbon, and other coastal cities on the Atlantic, particularly Oporto. One of the most important tourist destinations in Europe, the country received almost 16 million visitors last year.

Real Estate in Portugal The real estate market is in the midst of a mini-boom brought on, among other things, by a sharp decline in interest rates, the celebration of the World's Fair in Lisbon this summer, and the country's status as a founding member of European economic and monetary union, which will lead to a single currency for most of Western Europe by the year 2000. Although prices are starting to climb, due to the U.S. dollar's favorable exchange rate with the Portuguese escudo, residential, commercial and other real estate represent very attractive values for foreign buyers.

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