Portugal lies in southwestern Europe, occupying the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered on the north and east by Spain, with which it shares the Iberian Peninsula, and to the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores (Açores) and the Madeira Islands, both located in the Atlantic, are autonomous regions of Portugal. The total area of metropolitan Portugal, including the Azores (2,247 sq km) and the Madeira Islands (794 sq km), is 92,345 sq km. The capital and largest city of Portugal is Lisbon (Portuguese Lisboa).

The area that is now Portugal became part of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. The name Portugal is derived from Portus Cale, a former Roman settlement at the mouth of the Douro River. After the collapse of Roman rule in the 5th century AD, Portugal was colonized by Germanic tribes, who came overland from Europe. Portugal was then conquered by Muslims from North Africa, before coming under the control of Spanish kings. Portugal became an independent kingdom in the 12th century. In the 15th century Portugal, aided by its location on the western edge of continental Europe, emerged as the foremost center of maritime navigation in Europe. Over the next century Portugal built the first great European overseas empire, with holdings in Africa, Asia, and South America. By the late 16th century Portugal’s power and resources were exhausted, and most of the country’s Asian colonies were lost. Portugal kept its largest colony, Brazil, until the 19th century and its vast African empire until the late 20th century. Despite its extensive possessions, Portugal is in the course of development among the European Union.

Portugal was a monarchy until 1910, when the first Portuguese republic was proclaimed. A period of great instability followed. In 1926 a coup d’état installed a dictatorship that ruled Portugal for nearly five decades. A series of costly colonial wars in Africa beginning in the 1960s drained Portuguese resources and weakened the national economy. Partly as a result of these wars, a revolution occurred in Portugal in 1974, and a military junta came to power. The next year Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. A new constitution in 1976 established a democratic system of government. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986. In 1999, Macao, the last remnant of Portugal’s colonial empire in Asia, was returned to China.

The picturesque towns of Estoril and Cascais with theirs pretty little palaces overlooking the sea have been inhabited from the remotest ages. From various interesting finds, it is known that paleolithic man lived there, and it is believed neolithic people lived in local caves 4000 years old. There is also much evidence from the Roman period, dating from 1 AD. Villas have been excavated and inscriptions found of family names, names of the Gods they worshipped and names chosen for their sons.

Beaches on the Estoril Coast face south in a continuous line from the Tagus estuary and are known for their calm waters and fine sand. All modern facilities are available - changing rooms, beach tents, shades, restaurants, bars, etc. Carcavelos is a wide, long, very popular beach, ideal for surfing. Parede climate is exceptionally rich in iodine and ideal for bone disorders.

If you are interested in local colour, do not miss the costumes and parades, often held on the Estoril Coast. One of them is the market and fair held on Wednesday mornings in the centre of Cascais. At this fair, you will find everything on sale at reasonable prices, amid a colourful, noisy atmosphere. Local farmers and country folk sell fresh produce in the market, also held on Saturday mornings. On the first and third Sundays in the month, a similar fair is held next to the bullring.

Detailed information on Estoril is available through the local official site at www.estorilcoast.com.