Continental Portugal (Portuguese: Portugal continental, IPA: [puɾtuˈɣal kõtinẽˈtal]) or mainland Portugal comprises the bulk of the Portuguese Republic, namely that part on the Iberian Peninsula and so in continental Europe, having approximately 95% of the total population and 96.6% of the country's land. Mainland Portugal is therefore commonly called by residents of the Portuguese archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira the continent (Portuguese: o continente) in all respects including minor elements of combined governance from Lisbon, the country's capital. Before 1975, when the Portuguese territory also stretched to several now-independent states in Africa, the designation metropolis (Portuguese: metrópole) was also used.
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👉 Mainland Portugal in the context of Gulf of Cádiz
The Gulf of Cádiz (Spanish: Golfo de Cádiz, Portuguese: Golfo de Cádis) is the arm of the Atlantic Ocean between Cabo de Santa Maria, the southernmost point of mainland Portugal; and Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast at the western end of the Strait of Gibraltar. Two major rivers, the Guadalquivir and the Guadiana, as well as smaller rivers, like the Odiel, the Tinto, and the Guadalete, reach the ocean here.
The Gulf of Cádiz is located in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean between 34°N and 37°15′N and 6°W to 9°45′W. It is enclosed by the southern Iberian and northern Moroccan margins, west of Strait of Gibraltar.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Mainland Portugal
- 👉 Mainland Portugal in the context of Gulf of Cádiz
- Mainland Portugal in the context of Madeira
- Mainland Portugal in the context of João Álvares Fagundes
- Mainland Portugal in the context of Lisbon Region
- Mainland Portugal in the context of Serra da Estrela
- Mainland Portugal in the context of Lisboa Region
Mainland Portugal in the context of Madeira
Madeira, officially the Autonomous Region of Madeira, is an autonomous region of Portugal, in the Atlantic Ocean about 805 km (500 miles) southwest of mainland Portugal. Together with the Azores, it is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal and a special territory of the European Union. It is the southernmost point and region of Portugal.
Madeira is an archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the region of Macaronesia, just under 400 kilometres (250 mi) north of the Canary Islands, Spain, 520 kilometres (320 mi) west of Morocco and 805 kilometres (500 mi) southwest of mainland Portugal. Madeira sits on the African Tectonic Plate, but is culturally, politically and ethnically associated with Europe, with its population predominantly descended from Portuguese settlers. Its population was 251,060 in 2021. The capital of Madeira is Funchal, on the main island's south coast.
Mainland Portugal in the context of João Álvares Fagundes
João Álvares Fagundes (born c. 1460, Kingdom of Portugal – died 1522, Kingdom of Portugal) was an explorer and ship owner from Viana do Castelo in Northern Portugal. He organized several expeditions to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia around 1520–1521.
Fagundes, together with his second captain Pero de Barcelos, and accompanied by colonists (mostly from the Azores and some from mainland Portugal), explored the islands of St Paul near Cape Breton, Sable Island, Penguin Island (now known as Funk Island), Burgeo, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. He named the latter islands as the Eleven Thousand Virgins, in honor of Saint Ursula.
Mainland Portugal in the context of Lisbon Region
Lisbon (Portuguese: Lisboa) is one of the seven NUTS II designated regions of Portugal, which coincides with the NUTS III subregion Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The region covers an area of 3001.95 km (the smallest region on mainland Portugal) and includes a population of 3,005,119 inhabitants according to the 2024 estimates (the second most populated region in Portugal after the Norte region), a density of 1001 inhabitants/km.
Considered as representing the Lisbon Metropolitan Region. It is a region of significant importance in industry (light and heavy), services, and it is highly urbanized. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was nearly 100 billion euros in 2023, accounting for 37% of Portugal's economic output. GDP per capita was at 33,300 euros or 87% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 92% of the EU average.
Mainland Portugal in the context of Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela (European Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈsɛʁɐ ðɐ (i)ʃˈtɾelɐ], lit. 'Star Mountain Range') is the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal. Together with the Serra da Lousã it is the westernmost constituent range of the Sistema Central and also one of the highest in the system. It includes mainland Portugal's highest point at 1,993 metres (6,539 feet) above mean sea level (although the summit of Mount Pico in the Portuguese Azores islands is higher). This point is not a distinctive mountain summit, but rather the highest point in a plateau, being known as Torre ("Tower" in English). Torre is an unusual summit in that it is accessible by a paved road. The peak has a topographic prominence of 1,204 m (3,950 ft) and its parent peak is Pico Almanzor, in Spain.
The mountain range, situated between the municipalities of Seia, Manteigas, Gouveia, Guarda and Covilhã, is about 100 kilometres (60 miles) long and is 30 km (19 mi) across at its widest point. It is formed from a huge granite ridge that once formed the southern frontier of the country.
Mainland Portugal in the context of Lisboa Region
Lisbon (Portuguese: Lisboa) is one of seven NUTS II designated regions of Portugal, which coincides with the NUTS III subregion Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The region covers an area of 3001.95 km (the smallest region on mainland Portugal) and includes a population of 3,005,119 inhabitants according to the 2024 estimates (the second most populated region in Portugal after the Norte region), a density of 1001 inhabitants/km.
Considered as representing the Lisbon Metropolitan Region, it is a region of significant importance in industry (light and heavy), services, and is highly urbanized. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was nearly 100 billion euros in 2023, accounting for 37% of Portugal's economic output. GDP per capita was at 33,300 euros or 87% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 92% of the EU average.