Geography

Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe. Its mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders only one nation - Spain, to the east and north - with a total of 1,214 km of borders. Portugal does not recognise the border from the delta of the River Caia to the delta of the River Cuncos since 1801's occupation of the Olivença territory by the Spanish Kingdom. This territory, though under Spanish occupation, remains part of Portugal and no border is henceforth recognised in this area.

Portugal is bordered on the west with a 1,793 km coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean. Portugal also controls the Atlantic islands of Azores and Madeira Islands, which are strategic locations along western sea approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. In total, the country has an area of 92,152 sq km of which 91,712 sq km is land and 440 sq km water.

The Islands

The islands of the Azores and Madeira are located in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, some of the islands had recent volcanic activity. Originally two islands, Sao Miguel Island was joined by a volcanic eruption in 1563. The last volcano to erupt was the Vulcao dos Capelinhos (Capelinhos Volcano) in 1957, in western part of Faial Island, increasing the size of that island. Dom Joao de Castro Bank is a large submarine volcano that lies midway between the islands of Terceira and Sao Miguel and rises 14 m bellow the sea surface. It last erupted in 1720 and formed an island of 1.5 km in length and 250 metres in altitude; it remained above the water for several years. Scientists predict a new island can be formed in a not so distant future. Portugal's highest point is Mount Pico, an ancient volcano, with 2,351 metres.

The Mainland

Continental Portugal is split in two by its main river, the Tagus (Tejo). To the north the landscape is mountainous in the interior areas with plateaus, cut by four breakings lines that allow the development of more fertile agricultural areas.

The south down as far as the Algarve features mostly rolling plains with a climate somewhat warmer and drier than the cooler and rainier north. Other major rivers include the Douro, the Minho and the Guadiana, similar to the Tagus in that all originate in Spain. Another important river, the Mondego, originates in the Serra da Estrela (the highest mountains in mainland Portugal - 1,993 m).

The Coast

The Portuguese coast is extensive; it has 943 km in continental Portugal, 667 km in the Azores, 250 km in Madeira and in the Savage Islands. The Portuguese coast developed fine beaches, the Algarve ones are worldwide famous. In Porto Santo Island, a dune formation is appealing to many tourists.

An important feature in its coast is the Ria de Aveiro (near Aveiro, a town called "The Portuguese Venice"), a delta with 45 km in length and a maximum of 11 km width, rich in fish and sea birds. There are four main channels, between them several islands and islets, and it is where Vouga, Antua, Boco, and Fontao rivers meet the ocean. Since the 16th century, the formation of a sort of narrow headlands formed a lagoon, seen as one of the most remarkable hydrographic features of the Portuguese coast. Due to these characteristics, the region is an ancient producer of a famous salt, and during the Roman Empire it exported its salt to Rome, seen as a precious product.

Another interesting feature of the Portuguese coast is Ria Formosa, with some sandy islands and a very good climate all the year - summers are not very hot and winters are generally mild.

Lakes

There are several lakes in Portugal, in Serra da Estrela the Lake Comprida (Lagoa Comprida) and the Lake Escura (Lagoa Escura) were formed from ancient glaciers. Some lagoons have the ocean or a river as origin; for instance, the Albufeira and Óbidos lagoons, while others are originated between dunes like the lagoons of Braças and Vela.