There is always a good reason to visit Portugal in your next vacation.  It could be attending one of the country’s famous music festivals,  check out the preserved heritage sites that proves the nation’s place as one of the oldest western civilizations, or perhaps finally get to join an authentic Portuguese bacalau (cod) feast, featuring over a hundred Iberian recipes for this fish.  In between, you can also catch an intense football game featuring the FIFA champion Selecção Nacional, the pride of Portuguese sports.

Whatever wind blows you to Portugal, chances are, it is going to be an unforgettable experience, as this country in Southwestern Europe has charms and attractions unique in its own.  Whether discovering its cosmopolitan cities or taking in the views of a variety of natural wonders, Portugal has something for everyone.

As a highly developed country, Portugal is an active member of powerful trade organizations like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD), and the Eurozone, an economic grouping among EU member states that adopted the Euro (EUR) currency and is now the biggest economy in the world.

Portugal has played a major role in the shaping and reshaping of major geographical and political divisions in the world.  To this day, one of Portugal’s main source of pride is being able to retain its original land, with its territorial boundaries staying the same. Its location in the southernmost part of Europe makes Portugal a busy access route to other European nations, as well as Eastern American and African nations.  The influx of visitors to Portugal is driven by its having one of the most advanced transportation networks in all of Europe, consisting of road, rail, airport and maritime routes.

In the latest ranking by the Human Development Index, Portugal ranked 19th among all countries with the highest quality of life.  Meantime, the Global Peace Index ranked it no. 7 among the most peaceful countries in the world.