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Portugal has witnessed a constant flow of civilization since the past 31,00 years. Roman, Germans and Moorish which have been the inhabitants of this place from the past have made large impacts on the country’s culture, history, language and ethic composition. During the 15th and 16th centuries, due to its vast empire it became one of the nations with world’s top political, economic and cultural powers. Portugal is a democratic republic ruled by the 1976 constitution. Its largest nation is Lisbon, which is also its capital. The four main governing components are the republic’s president, the assembly, government and the court. The constitution grants the complete separation of powers among legislative, executive and judicial branches. The president is elected for a five year term. It has a supervising non executive role. The assembly of the Republic is composed of 230 deputies elected for four year term.

The prime minister is the head of the government. He chooses a Council of Ministers comprises of ministers and their assistants. The national and regional governments are dominated by two political parties. The courts are organized into categories that include judicial, administrative and fiscal areas. Court consists of nine members which oversees the constitutionality of legislation.It has been the member of NATO since 1949. The armed forces have three branches that are army, navy and air force. In the 20th century, it has participated in peacekeeping missions in east Timor and Iraq. Portugal has an administrative structure of 308 municipalities.It has northern landscape which is mountainous in interior areas with plateaus indented by river valleys, which allow agricultural development. The south, between the Tejo and the Algarve features mostly rolling plains and a climate somewhat warmer and drier than in the cooler and rainier north.

Snow is usual in the northern half of the nation. It is rare event in the south, but it does happen. Some islands have had volcanic activity as recently 1957. Portugal has joined the European Union in 1986. It started a process of modernization within the framework of consistent environment. It gained a rapid momentum and growth. Successive governments have implemented reforms and privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the country.

There has been improved infrastructure. Major industries are oil refineries, paper industry, yarns, shoe industry, household furniture. Agriculture no longer represents the bulk of the economy. The wines of Portugal are liked by the people of the world and they are exported in various countries. Tourism industry has witnessed a rapid growth and various islands have been the hot favorite of the tourists. Euro is the current official currency of Portugal which consists of 100 cents. The country is fairly homogeneous linguistically and religiously. There is rapid growth in chineses communities and number of people who are ancestors of Malays and Indians.The educational system is divided into preschool for those who are below the age of six and basic education, primary education and higher education for others. There are many universites in Portugal who take responsibility to impart good education to the country people.