Fun facts about Portugal

1. One of the oldest countries in Europe, Its land borders having been established and not changed since the 1200s.
2. A top spot for surfing due to the Atlantic breakers, most surfing world records have been set here.
3. Portugal was one of the most powerful maritime nations during the 15th and 16th centuries.
4. A style of music in Portugal called Fado (Fate in Portuguese) has been classified by UNESCO under Cultural Heritage.
5. Tempura style of cooking was invented by the Portuguese and they introduced it to the Japanese!
6. Consumption of fish in Portugal is the third highest in the world, coming after Japan and Iceland.
7. The western-most point in Europe is in Portugal at Cabo da Roca, after that it is just Atlantic Ocean before you hit the Americas
8. The city of Lisbon claims to have the only Public Tie Mirror
9. The Alliance between England/UK and Portugal is the oldest in the world.
10. Largest producer of Cork products in the world due to the cork tree being native to Portugal.
11. In Lisbon all raven birds are named Vicente after the saint and the raven is a symbol on the city's coat of arms.
12. Even though 84% of the population is Catholic, there is no official religion for Portugal.
13. The Portuguese Water Dog has been around since the 1500s, this breed has webbed feet.
14. Piri Piri sauce was invented by the Portuguese.
15. Napoleon tried to conquer Portugal three times but was never successful.
16. Portugal was the first country to make it a legal requirement to have your fingerprint on your identity card.
17. Many Portuguese people believe in their destinies and they must deal with whatever fate deals out to them.
18. Portugal was the first country with an Empire to abolish Slavery
19. The Via Verde (Green Lane) automatic toll system for roads, was invented in Portugal.
20. It is believed that there are around 1,000 recipes for the national dish of Portugal, Cod.
21. The Portuguese language is listed eighth in the world for most spoken.
22. Portugal is known as the country of tiles.
23. Lisbon's Vasco de Gama bridge is the largest in Europe at 17.2 km.