Living in Portugal

Portugal lies in the west of the Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic and has around 10.3 million people. The country also includes the island groups of Madeira and the Azores. The mainland stretches from green, often wetter landscapes in the north to drier plains and the warm, sunny Algarve in the south; inland, summers are hot and winters cooler. Many people live in apartments in cities, while smaller towns are more dependent on cars. In Lisbon and Porto, offices, higher education institutions, commerce and a dense transport network shape daily life, while agriculture, fishing, industry or tourism are more important in other regions. Cafés, markets, family visits and beaches are part of leisure time in many places.