30 Jaw Dropping Interesting Random Facts about Portugal

(Last Updated On: October 12, 2021)

This is the time to enjoy these random facts about Portugal! Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese consul, used his position to save Jews early in WWII. Despite orders from the Portuguese government (at the time, a dictatorship) not to, he provided visas to Jews. He is thought to have saved up to 10,000 Jews. Though it’s worth noting that this figure might be exaggerated. In any case, it was a courageous and risky decision. This article will reveal many more random facts about Portugal like these.

In November 1755, Lisbon was devastated by a tremendous earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami and flames that reduced the city to ruins. This occurred on All Saints Day, a big religious event marked by churches crowded with lit candles, random facts about Portugal. When the earthquake hit, the candles caught fire, causing severe damage. There were 275,000 deaths and 85 percent of the structures were destroyed.

Fatalism is an important feature in Portuguese culture. The traditional song Fado is one of the most visible manifestations of it. Fado (Portuguese for “destiny”) is a music genre that originated in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, with random facts about Portugal. It is a form of heartfelt folk music sung by Portuguese musicians, and it is characterized by melancholy tunes and lyrics, which are frequently about the sea or poor living. The music genre was recently included on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations.

Pedro I proclaimed his girlfriend, Ines de Castro, Queen of Portugal when he was anointed King of Portugal in 1357, despite the fact that she had died two years earlier, in 1355. When he caught her killers, legend has it that he ate their hearts random facts about Portugal. She was also unearthed in order to be coronated. That’s real Game of Thrones-style romance right there.

The oldest diplomatic partnership in the world is between Portugal and England. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was established in 1373 and is still in effect today! Both nations fought in conflicts to defend each other, with the UK fighting in the Iberian Peninsular War and Portugal fighting in World War I as per random facts about Portugal. What a relief to know that someone has your back!

Portugal boasts the world’s largest cork oak woods (montados), which are legally protected. The numerous applications of the cork tree’s soft, spongy bark have made Portugal the world’s largest manufacturer of cork goods, accounting for 70% of all cork exports. Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are the top importers of Portuguese cork, random facts about Portugal.

With approximately 92.212 km2 of land, Portugal was placed 110th. However, when the marine jurisdiction of about 1.720.560 km2 is factored in, Portugal ranks in the top 20 and top three countries in Europe! Because the ocean area is approximately 18.7 times the land area, water covers over 95% of the country, random facts about Portugal.

Guia, a tiny hamlet in the province of Guia, is known for having a large number of eateries that specialize in “Piri Piri Chicken.” D.Teodósio Restaurant, for example, claims to be the “Chicken King,” with over 380 chickens served every 30 seconds, random facts about Portugal.

Random facts about Portugal

1. The Treaty of Tordesillas effectively handed Portugal control of the “New World’s” eastern half, which encompassed Brazil, Africa, and Asia.

2. Each country has its own peculiarities, such as peculiar laws or particular cultural traditions. This is what distinguishes a location. Continue reading to learn about several of Portugal’s strange and amazing facts.

2. If you’re thinking about having a baby in Portugal and calling it Bruce, think again. The government has issued an 80-page handbook outlining which baby names are acceptable and which are not. Jenny, Dylan, and Ashley are among those who are prohibited.

4. Slavery is a sad but significant aspect of Portugal’s history. However, in 1819, it became the first colonial authority to abolish slavery.

5. Portugal resembles a jellyfish in appearance. A jellyfish is made up of 95–98% water, while Portugal is almost entirely made up of water. It’s no surprise that marine exploration is popular and that the country eats a lot of seafood.

6. Prepaid phone cards are thought to have originated in Portugal. However, similar claims have been made by Italy, so take this with a grain of salt — and some fish.

7. Vasco da Gama was a world-famous Portuguese explorer. He is credited with being the first person to sail by sea from Europe to India. This journey established the first connection between Europe and Asia.

8. Bartholomew, a prominent Portuguese pirate, is credited with creating the first Pirate Rule, a code of conduct for controlling pirates. The humorous rule for controlling thieves comprised the distribution of stolen assets and recompense for pirates who were harmed.

9. Portugal was a global leader in the abolition of death punishment. It began in the 1850s with the repeal of the death sentence for political and civil offenses. It was totally eradicated by the 1900s.

10. Portugal has a diverse culture that may be found throughout the country. It is a place steeped in history and home to several cultural attractions. Take a look at these fascinating facts about the culture and civilization of Portugal.

11. The Portuguese had Europe’s and the world’s longest colonial empires. The empire spanned approximately 600 years, from the early 15th century until the start of the twenty-first century. Ceuta was the name of the first Portuguese colony that is now part of Spain. Macau, which is not Chinese autonomous territory, was the country’s final colony, which it lost in 1999.

12. The Museu dos Fosforos houses the world’s biggest matchbox collection, with over 43 000 matchboxes on exhibit. This museum houses the personal collection of one guy, a globetrotting businessman who became captivated with intriguing matchbox designs in 1953.

13. Portugal is one of the world’s top 20 most visited nations and a popular vacation spot. That is, after all, unsurprising. Great cuisine, inexpensive beer, stunning landscape, 300 days of sunshine, and kind people.

14. The official language of nine nations and four continents is Portuguese. It is the world’s sixth most widely spoken language. Portuguese is spoken by about 236 million people worldwide.

15. Portugal is a very laid-back country. According to the World Peace Index, it is ranked 18th among the world’s most peaceful countries.

16. Portugal is Europe’s oldest recognizable nation. Since 1297, the nation has had the same established borders.

17. Bring Flowers, Good Quality Chocolate, or Good Quality Candy if you are invited to a Portuguese home for dinner. You must hand these up to the hostess. However, unless you know which wines your hosts enjoy, do not bring wine.

18. There are several methods to signify that you have done eating. The first method to demonstrate this is by leaving some food on your plate. Laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing the right of your plate is the second approach to demonstrate it.

19. In the Triangular Atlantic Slave Trade, Portugal was a key role. This featured a large-scale slave trade, mostly from Africa to the American continent. Slave trade and transit between countries were conducted by European nations.

20. In 1709, Father Bartolomeu de Gusmo designed the first model of a hot air balloon, often known as a ‘lighter-than-air-airship.’ He petitioned the King for its development, but it is thought that the Portuguese Inquisition forbade him from continuing his research and design.

21. Portugal is a country with a long history of outstanding explorers. The country played a key role in the exploration of sections of America, Africa, and Asia.

22. The first voyage to circle the world is claimed to have been led by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese adventurer. Between 1519 and 1522, this trip was part of a Spanish expedition to the East Indies.

23. Half of the ‘New World,’ which comprised Brazil, Asia, and Africa, was formerly held by Portugal. When the Treaty of Tordesillas was concluded in 1494, the nation received all of these gains.

24. Portugal isn’t one of the first places that come to mind when thinking about Europe’s holiday season. However, in 2008, Porto set a new record by hosting the world’s largest Santa Claus procession. Around 14 000 individuals dressed up as Santa and marched through the streets of Porto to collect money for charity.

25. Women in Portugal appear to be stronger than males — maybe they simply have better habits. In Portugal, women live six years longer than males. Men and women in the nation have an average life expectancy of 81 years.

26. Without a question, football is the Portuguese’s favorite sport. S.L. Benfica, their much-loved and well-supported club, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2006, with over 160,389 paid-up members. Portugal has set another world record.

27. You wouldn’t want someone peeing in your pool, and Portugal has the same sentiment about its waters. It’s unlawful to urinate in the ocean, so if you’re going to do it, make sure you’re completely immersed. And make it appear as if you’re not making any mistakes.

28. Portugal, rather than Hawaii, is a popular surfing destination. The country has a total of 497 miles of coastline and 364 days of the surf every year.

29. In actuality, the world’s greatest wave was ridden off the coast of Nazare, Portugal. Rodrigo Koxa, a Brazilian surfer, successfully surfed the massive 80-foot wave.

30. Portugal is one of Europe’s warmest and sunniest countries. Portugal has over 300 days of sunshine each year in certain areas! It’s no surprise that it’s a popular tourist attraction.