Europe

Facts About Portugal

2 surprising facts — verified and shareable

Portugal is one of those places that surprises you the more you learn about it. SmartAss Facts has gathered the most interesting, shareable, and surprising facts about portugal — from geography and history to culture and world records. Every fact is verified and labeled ✓ TRUE or ✗ FAKE, so you always know what's real. Explore the list below and discover Portugal beyond the textbook.

Portugal occupies the westernmost point of continental Europe and was, by most measures, the first global maritime empire. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, Portuguese navigators charted the coasts of Africa, established sea routes to India and East Asia, and colonised Brazil — making Portuguese one of the most widely spoken languages in the world today, with approximately 250 million native speakers across four continents. Portugal is the world's largest producer of cork, supplying approximately 50% of global cork production from the cork oak forests of the Alentejo region. The country is also the oldest national state in Europe, with borders that have remained largely unchanged since 1139.

Portugal is also home to one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world — the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290. The country's tram system in Lisbon includes lines that have operated since the 19th century, and some of the original cars remain in active service on the steep hill routes of the historic centre.