Name derived from Portus Cale, the ancient name of Oporto. A kingdom of
Europe, occupying the western part of the Iberian peninsula.
Area, 36,510 square miles. Population, 4,306,554. Number of Provinces, 6.
Length of coast line, 500 miles. Capital, Lisbon; pop., 246,343. Oporto,
centre of port wine trade; pop., 105,838.
Climate healthful. Mean temperature at Lisbon, 61deg. Rainfall averages 27
inches at Lisbon, and 118 at Coimbra.
About 51 per cent. of soil is productive, and less than 23 per cent. under
tillage. Not sufficient grain raised for home consumption. Wine product for
1882, 125,000,000 gallons; value, $28,500,000.
State religion, Roman Catholic. The average amount spent on public
education from 1875 to 1879 was $10,000; in 1884 the amount had risen to
$966,000. There is one university, established at Coimbra in 1290.
Number of miles of railway, 1884, 950; with 300 miles under construction.
Number of miles of telegraph lines, 2,920; number of miles of wire, 7,084;
number of telegraph offices, 226. Number of postoffices, 931. {21}
[Illustration]
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