Did you know that?

Portuguese is spoken by more than 200 million people distributed across every continent:
Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia.

This diversity has contributed to the forging of deep historical and cultural ties between Portugal and the rest of the world.

Portuguese is the fifth most spoken language in the world and the sixth most used on the internet.

Rome has more Portuguese churches than some of our own cities.

Paris has the second-highest number of Portuguese nationals of any city in the world.

The Portuguese invented the mariner’s astrolabe.

The Portuguese invented the cannon.

The Portuguese invented the lateen (a triangular sail).

Curious & Engaging

Surprising Facts About Portugal

Salted cod and pastel de nata (custard tart) are Portuguese inventions.

The pre-paid card for mobile phones is a Portuguese invention.

Via Verde (Green Lane), an electronic toll collection system, is a Portuguese invention.

There are more Portuguese nationals living outside Portugal than in Portugal.

The rifle was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese.

Portugal was one of the first countries to abolish slavery in 1751.

Portugal was the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty.

Napoleon tried and failed to conquer Portugal three times.

The first queen to partake of five-o’clock tea was Portuguese: Catherine of Bragança.

The real Casino Royale is located in Cascais.

Ambassador Aristides de Sousa Mendes saved more Jews than Oscar Schindler.

We and the Spanish divided* the world into two, but we kept the best part – Brazil. (* the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494).

The cod used in Portugal’s most traditional dish, Bacalhau, is caught 4,000 km away in Norway.

Tempura was invented by the Portuguese.

The Portuguese brought chilli to India; without the Portuguese, curry would not exist.

Portugal is the only European country that has yet to host the Eurovision festival.

Portugal is the only country that has taken an amateur team all the way to the world ruby championships.

Portugal occupied Macau, China for 446 years.

Portuguese history

Important dates

24 June 1128: Battle of São Mamede
A dispute breaks out between Afonso Henriques and his mother Theresa. Afonso Henriques triumphs in battle and declares himself Sovereign of the County of Portugal.

05 October 1143: Treaty of Zamora
Considered Portugal’s date of independence. Afonso Henriques, otherwise known as Afonso I, is proclaimed the First King of Portugal.

14 August 1385: Battle of Aljubarrota
Fought between Portuguese troops and the Castilian army. The Castilians are defeated, putting an end to the 1383-1385 Portuguese Interregnum.

21 August 1415: Conquest of Ceuta
By King John I’s troops

1434: Rounding of Cape Bojador
Gil Eanes opens the route for the great discoveries.

1488: Rounding of the Cape of Good Hope
By Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias. Opens a link between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and a route to India.

Portuguese Proverbs

or Expressions

The Portuguese have a proverb for every occasion.

Anonymous in origin, these sayings are passed down from generation to generation and used by people of all social backgrounds.

Here are some examples:
Quanto mais depressa mais devagar – More haste, less speed.

Amigo não empata amigo – A friend doesn’t hinder a friend.

Antes só do que mal-acompanhado – Better to be alone than in bad company.

A noite é boa conselheira – Sleep on it.

Com a verdade me enganas – I’m fooled by the truth.

Devagar se vai ao longe – Slow and steady wins the race.

Diz-me com quem andas, dir-te-ei quem és – Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.

Depois da tempestade vem a bonança – After the storm comes the calm.

Enquanto há vida, há esperança – While there is life, there is hope.

Entre marido e mulher, não se mete a colher – Don’t meddle in another couple’s affairs.