| The country has its contrasts, of course, mainly between north and south, and has been given variety and interest by the influx of immigrants from the African colonies since their independence, but the regional diversity which is so much a part of Spain today is less evident. With only one fifth of the land area of Spain, Portugal's resources are correspondingly smaller, and the impression is overall one of a poor country with nowhere near Spain's potential for development. Both economically and socially, the scale of change has been much more modest in Portugal there are only six towns with more than 40,000 inhabitants, tourism is more understate, .industrialization very much restricted to small pockets, and the big multinationals are few and far between. Much of the country is still.Backward, and its attraction lies in its old fashioned charm. rather than ,m upfront style. The culture in general appreciates subtleties and shadings, rather than the great sol y sombra all or nothing contrasts of Spain. If Portugal seems understated though, it certainly isn't because it hasn't to anything to shout about its perhaps just lacking the resources or the showmanship to promote itself. Its attractions are many: wonderful and beaches that make the Costa de Sol see grim, beautiful countryside and mountains waiting to be explored, Impressive monuments and buildings to see, and above all a rich and varied culture to get to know. The pleasures of discovering this entire are perhaps all the greater because they are to such a large extent undocumented and unsungPortugal in Detail This region incorporates one of Portugal's most picturesque provinces, the green and verdant Minho, and the country's second city, Porto. It is and always has been a densely populated area, and the neatly tilled and terraced hillsides come as a bit of a surprise if you've come across the border from the wilds of Galicia in northern Spain. Every bit of cultivatable ground is pressed into service, with the vinho verde vines trained high above the ground on granite pillars or even trees in order to grow other crops such as cabbages or maize below. Elsewhere pines and eucalyptus form an important part of Portugal's timber industry, and in the north an enormous tract of land has been set aside to form the Peneda Geres National Park. With such a large section of the population involved in agriculture, rural concerns predominate and there are some wonderful country markets selling local produce, livestock and handicrafts. The land is divided into smallholdings rather than large estates which is perhaps why the country�side has a reputation for being intensely conservative. As a counter balance this he city of Porto has always been the great stronghold of Portuguese liberalism and has seen numerous uprisings against the traditional order including the Revolution of 1820, when a new liberal constitution was proclaimed. Historically the region had a crucial role in the very birth of Portugal as a nation. It was these lands, between the great rivers the Minho and the Douro, over which Alfonso Henriques pronounced himself king in the early twelfth century, splitting away from his nominal suzerain, King Alfonso of Castile. Guimanies was the first capital of the new kingdom of Portucale but the focus of power soon shifted south as new territory was captured from the Moors. Today the region has a considerable amount to offer in terms of historic interest, great countryside for exploring by car or on foot, a long stretch of sandy beaches although watch out for sea mists and in Porto, the country's second city, a bustling commercial centre. Porto (Oporto in English). A city sprawled attractively along the north bank of the Douro. Wine has been shipped to Britain for centuries from Porto, and was traditionally brought downstream from the vineyards of the upper Douro in boats called barcos rabelas. The port lodges are all on the opposite bank, in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is connected to .the city via the spectacular two tiered Ponte Dom Luis. The railway bridge, the Ponte Maria Pia was designed by Eiffel and is perhaps Porto's greatest landmark. The old quarter is a tangle of fascinating alleyways crammed with bars and old shops, but apart from a few museums the city's a little sore on 'sight'. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways to spend some time would be the Solar do Vinho do Porto where you can sample hundreds of different varieties of port. Espinho. Windswept resort to the south of the city, with enormous beach� Povoa de Varzim. Well developed resort. Esposende. Good beach. Viana do Castelo. Attractive resort town with a certain graceful air Valena. Frontier town with massive walls overlooking the Minho river. Braga. Capital of Minho province and an important religious centre from the earliest times when it was one of the five ancient episcopal sees in the Peninsula. It cathedral houses the tombs of Henry of Burgundy and Teresa of Castle, It founder ... |