Portugal, one of Europe’s oldest countries, has a population of 10 million inhabitants and a surface of 91,985 sqkm. Lisbon is the capital with 2 million inhabitants; other important cities are Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Evora (World Heritage), Setúbal, Faro, Funchal (Madeira Island) and Ponta Delgada (Azores Islands). Situated on the southwesternmost corner of Europe, this geographic location along 800 km of Atlantic coast soon determined its vocation to the sea and kept it overlooked on usual itineraries, yet there is a remarkable diversity in scenery and customs. In 1415, the Portuguese set sail on an epic voyage that would make them the first to later discover the ocean routes to India, Brazil, China and Japan, and at the same time founded settlements on the east and west coasts of Africa. Traces of this worldwide historic presence may be seen as trademarksof the Portuguese genius. The Portuguese language became one of the most widely spoken in the world and being exposed to so many different civilisations privileged the Portuguese people. The vast monumental, artistic and archaeological heritage gives evidence not only of the 850 years of history of encounters with distant cultures, but also of the presence in the territory of more ancient peoples (Celts, Suevians, Visigoths, Romans and Arabs). The natural advantages of a sunny country with such diverse geographical features have turned Portugal into a chosen destination for many holidaymakers, an ideal place for practising water sports and playing golf, offering modern tourist facilities. Due to the financial support from the EU (Portugal has been a member-country since 1986), as well as to modernisation programmes and productive investment, the structure of industry and commerce, agriculture and tourism has been renewed. Strong investment especially in the manufacturing and service industries has taken place. Sprawling along the right bank of the wide Tagus estuary, Lisbon stands looking proudly towards the Atlantic Ocean and was the muse that inspired the great maritime discoveries. The memories of this golden age are etched in stone, in the Torre de Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, both of which have been classified as World Heritage sites. Among Museums housing amazing cultural treasures are: Nacional de Arte Antiga, Nacional do Azulejo (painted tiles), Calouste Gulbenkian. The soul of Lisbon remains in its historical quarters, the medieval Alfama, Castelo, Bairro Alto… At night, the city’s old quarters come alive with the sound of fado singing and guitar-playing, the musical expression of the soul of Lisbons’ inhabitants. And yet, down the hill at the open-air cafés, bars and discothèques, whose lights are reflected in the calm waters of the River Tagus, the night is still young. To the east, the city shows to visitors its newer face, clearly expressed by modern architecture, Oceanarium and the interactive Museum of Science included, at the site that housed EXPO’98, the last world exhibition of the twentieth century. Also to be found close by are a series of excellent golf courses, a casino at Estoril, and the romantic town of Sintra that has been magnificently set in the most beautiful landscape and has rightly been classified as World Heritage site. There is no better way to see the exuberant trees and vegetation than to take a horse-drawn carriage ride and pass by ancient mansions before reaching the Palácio da Pena at the top of the hill. Other places of interest are the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Cascais, the Arrábida hills and their nature reserve, Sesimbra, the medieval walled village of Óbidos and theWorld Heritage white city of Evora.