Portugal, a country small in size but large in structure, has produced a plethora of firsts and greats. From being the oldest country in Europe to being the top choice country for tourism, the beauty and versatility of Portugal are wrapped up in this post by Cliff Richard "I've got two places I like to be, Portugal is one."
Portugal has it all: white sand beaches, architecturally stunning cities, rocky coastlines, a thriving restaurant scene, and warm-welcoming citizens. As a result, this country is undoubtedly top on the list for tourism and real estate investment.
Tapping into this fertile economic landscape is Oasis, located in Porto, a company whose heartbeat is project management with positive climate change contributions.
A Brief History of Portugal
The name Portugal evolved from the word Portus Cale, a Roman-Celtic coined word. Cale or Cailleach was the name of a Celtic deity and an early village near the mouth of the Douro River (modern-day Vila Nova de Gaia), which runs into the Atlantic Ocean in what is now Portugal.
During the Second Punic War, the Romans captured the Iberian Peninsula from the Carthaginians around 200 BC. In the process, they conquered Cale and renamed it Portus Cale (Port of Cale). In the 7th and 8th centuries, Portus Cale became Portugal, and by the 9th century, it was called Portugal.
Portugal has had its fair share of shaping the modern world we live in today. She was a mighty economic, political, and cultural power in the 15th and 16th centuries, with a global empire spanning the Americas, Africa, and various regions of Asia and Oceania. Artistic growth and sustenance were a priority, and today that culture is still a rich part of Portugal and its previous colonies.
Language, People, and Cities of Portugal
Lisbon, the capital and the largest city of Portugal, is considered an alpha-level global metropolis because of its significance in banking, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism.
Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is located in the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal. In Portuguese, Porto means port or harbor.
Porto is one of the oldest European cities, with its historic center, Luiz I Bridge, and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The historic region is also a Portuguese National Monument.
Oasis leverages the mix of history and modernity to design and innovate bioclimatic villas while restoring historic buildings that remind the people of Portugal's rich history.
Culture of the Portuguese
The Portuguese engage in various cultural activities, including art, music, drama, and dance. The traditional folklore of Portugal (Ranchos Folclóricos) is diverse and varied. Tourists can find a museum and a collection of antique monuments and buildings in many cities and towns.
Portugal boasts international-scale venues in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Guimares, and Coimbra with many recognized artists from all disciplines. In addition, many towns feature at least one cinema and music venue and places to see arts and crafts. Visits to the theater, concerts, and galleries of modern exhibitions are popular in bigger cities.
The city of Lisbon is home to a diverse range of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern, and Postmodern structures.
The city's principal thoroughfares are also lined with historical boulevards and monuments, notably in the higher neighborhoods; prominent examples include the Avenida da Liberdade, Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, Avenida Almirante Reis, and Avenida da Repblica (Avenue of the Republic).
The city of Porto houses famed concert halls built by notable architects. It's also home to many well-known Portuguese musicians and cult bands, including GNR, Rui Veloso, Sérgio Godinho, Cl, Pluto, Azeitonas, and Ornatos Violeta.
Oasis Projects are in notable neighborhoods that keep its clients close to the attraction sites with ease of movement and quiet surroundings. The company knows how to get you as close as possible to the excitement of Portugal but at the same time keeping you in a serene environment.
Economy of Lisbon and Porto
The major cities of Portugal have had marked economic growth in recent times.
The Lisbon region is Portugal's wealthiest and produces 45 percent of the country's GDP, well above the European Union's average GDP per capita.
Tourism is an important sector in the city; the city receives an average of 4.5 million visitors each year. In 2017, hotel revenues alone produced €714.8 million, up 18.7 percent from 2016.
According to the lifestyle magazine Monocle, Lisbon was the 10th most "livable city" in the world in 2019. Lisboa was named "World's Leading City Destination and World's Leading City Break Destination 2018" by the World Travel Awards.
Porto has seen substantial tourism growth in recent years, which might be attributed in part to the Ryanair hub at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport. Porto received the European Best Destination award three times, in 2012, 2014, and 2017.
Between January and November 2017, the city welcomed 2.8 million overnight tourists and 1.4 million day visitors, 73 percent of visitors coming from other countries. Tourism income has increased by more than 11%.
The tourists rented villas and hotel resorts, and their experiences in these housing units reflect the values and mission statement of Oasis.
Port wine, one of Portugal's most well-known exports, is named after Porto because the metropolitan region, particularly the Vila Nova de Gaia cellars, was responsible for the packaging, transportation, and export of fortified wine.