Car Hire Portugal
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General Information about Portugal
The Portuguese Republic, namely Portugal is situated on the Iberian Peninsula in the South West of Europe and is bordered to the East and the North by Spain and to the West and the South by The Atlantic Ocean. Portugal has a population of over 10 million people. The main metropolitan areas of Portugal are Porto, Lisbon, Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra and Setubal. Boasting an annual temperature average of 13 degrees in the north of Mainland Portugal and 18 degrees in the South, the Portuguese Republic is one of the warmest countries in Europe. The areas of the coast are mild throughout the year and can reach up to 37 degrees in peak season.
Portugal History
The Portuguese Republic has a rich history and was formed in 868 during the Reconquista, however Portugal was only acknowledged as an Independent Nation on June 24th 1128. Prior to this Portugal shared its early history with the Iberian Peninsula. The first King of Portugal was Afonso Henriques who declared himself the ruler of Portugal after the battle of Ourique on the 25th July 1139. The King of Leon and Castile, Alfonso VII acknowledged this status to Portugal's King in 1143 and Pope Alexander the third in 1179. Portugal formed an alliance with England in 1373 and this is considered to be the most longstanding in the world. Portugal is a capitalist economy and is ranked, according to the 2005 Global Competitiveness Report at position 22 ahead of countries like Ireland and Spain. The currency of The Portuguese Republic is the Euro and tourism in Portugal generates around 5-10% of the countries wealth.
Portugal Culture
The culture of the Portuguese Republic is rooted in Latin Culture with a background from both the Celts and the Iberian civilisations. Rich in folklore each region has its own characteristics. Portugal is famous for its musical tradition of the Fado, which derives from the Latin word fatum, meaning destiny or fate. Born in the middle ages. Fado is friend's song and was a melancholy song sung by the Portuguese seafarers who were missing home whilst on their long sea journeys. The spirit of the Portuguese can be depicted in the Fado as a glorification of the soul and emotion that overwhelms reason and is guided by some force of destiny. Acts of despair and passion combine to form a bittersweet experience that is the Fado. Fado can be experienced to its fruition in a Fado house and is a rich unique experience that you cannot depict but by feeling it. Its evolution is explained in the Fado museum.
Car Rental Portugal
With Car Hire Portugal you can explore the many attractions that Portugal boasts from the Castelo de Sao Jorge (St Georges Castle) in Lisbon to the beautiful hilltop town of Evorio. The scenic coastlines in Portugal make flexibility in your choice of transport a must when holidaying in Portugal. Whether you choose Luxury Car Hire Portugal or Cheap Car Rental Portugal, Auto Reservation Plus make hiring and collecting you car in Portugal simple.
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