Fun Facts About Portugal
Interesting facts about the country where we carry out our missionary work
Getting to know the country is part of serving it well. These facts help understand the culture, history and people entrusted to us.
Portuguese Is the Official Language of Nine Countries
More than 275 million people are native Portuguese speakers. Besides Portugal, it is the official language of Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. It is also spoken in Goa (India) and Macau (China).
The Oldest Nation-State in Europe
Portugal's history as a nation-state began in 1139 with the Kingdom of Portugal. Since 1297, when the Portuguese and Spanish signed a treaty ceding the Algarve to Portugal, its borders have remained virtually unchanged.
Castles and Catholic Churches
The country has many impressively preserved medieval castles open for visitors. The Catholic churches showcase the country's historical connection to Roman Catholicism.
The World's Oldest Bookstore Is in Lisbon
Dating back to 1732, Bertrand Chiado is the world's oldest operating bookstore, a record officially recognized by Guinness in 2011. It was opened by Pedro Faure and survived the Great Earthquake of 1755. Today, Bertrand is the largest bookstore chain in Portugal, with over 50 stores.
Pastéis de Nata Were Created by Monks in the 13th Century
Created by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. After the Liberal Revolution of 1820, the monastery closed and the recipe was sold. In 1837, the Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata de Belém opened and still operates today, run by descendants of the original owners.
Lisbon Was Nearly Destroyed by an Earthquake in 1755
On November 1, 1755, an earthquake measuring 8.7 to 9 on the Richter scale devastated Lisbon. It lasted up to 6 minutes, followed by a tsunami. Around 10,000 people died and 85% of the buildings were destroyed. The Marquis of Pombal led the reconstruction of the capital.
Portugal Produces Half the World's Cork
Cork oak thrives in Portugal thanks to the balanced climate. The country produces 70% of the world's cork exports. The main importers are Germany, the United Kingdom and the USA.
Size of the Country
Portugal is small both in size and population. You can cross it in just one day — it's 721 km from one end to the other. It borders only Spain and has just over 10 million inhabitants (20 times smaller than Brazil).
Political System
Unlike Brazil, which has a presidential system, Portugal has a parliamentary system. There is a President of the Republic and a Prime Minister with different roles in government.
Portugal Was the First Country to Send Missionaries to the World
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal led the Age of Exploration and brought Catholic evangelism to Africa, Asia and South America. Franciscans and Jesuits traveled alongside Portuguese navigators — making Portugal the first modern European nation to send missionaries across the entire globe. Today, the historical irony is that Portugal itself needs to clearly hear the biblical Gospel.
Education in Portugal
After the Bologna Process, most undergraduate programs last 3 years (except healthcare). It is possible to pursue Integrated Master's degrees and graduate with a Master's degree after 5 years of study.
Academic Robes
The academic robes look like Harry Potter's outfits — and it's no coincidence. J. K. Rowling lived 18 months in Porto and drew inspiration from the students and traditional places of the city to create the book's storyline.
Outdoor ATMs
In Portugal, many Multibancos (ATMs) are located outdoors for security reasons. Fun fact: in Portuguese, they say "levantar dinheiro" (lift money) instead of "sacar" (withdraw) — because in Portugal, "saque" means robbery.
List of Approved Names
In Portugal, parents cannot make up names — they must follow an official list of approved names. The list is extensive and gains new names each year, although this rule does not apply to foreign parents registering children in the country.
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