Environment
Lisbon is located in the Lisbon region in the west of Portugal, including Grande Lisboa and the Peninsula de Setubal.
This is a region of significant importance in industry, services and agriculture.
In this region you will find "big-city life" as well as marvelous historical places of interest, nice wine districts,
some of the best beaches in the country, and world famous golf courses.
Some distances of interest
The closest airport is Lisbon Internationale Airport, located less than 1 km away.
It is 30 km to the mountains and less than 1 km to the nearest river.
In Portugal the Atlantic Ocean is always "close by" - distances from estern inland border will
maximum be a two hour drive. The closest beach is 3 km away.
Climate : Ocean clima with nice hot humid summers and with a cool breeze from the sea in wintertime Town character : Capital Primary Industry : Service industry
The population of the city proper is around 560 000 inhabitants and the population of the metropolitan area is 2,8 million inhabitants. Like most big cities, Lisbon is surrounded by many satellite cities. It is estimated that more than one million people enter Lisbon every day from the outskirts. Cascais and Estoril are among the most interesting neighbouring towns for night life.
Beautiful palaces, landscapes and historical sites can be found in Sintra and Mafra. Other major municipalities around Lisbon include Amadora, Oeiras, Odivelas, Loures, Vila Franca de Xira and, in the south bank of the Targus river; Almada, Barreiro and Seixal.
Economy The Lisbon region is the wealthiest region in Portugal and it is well above the European Unions GDP per capita average - it produces 45% of the Portuguese GDP. Lisbon's economy is based primarily on the service sector. Lisbon Metropolitan Area is heavily industrialized, especially the south bank of the Tagus river (Rio Tejo).
Trams and funiculars Transportation in Lisbon is more charming than in most cities. Much is owed to its geography; much of Lisbon has been built on its seven hills. No visit to Lisbon is complete without riding the 1930s trams. The greatest attractions, though, are the funiculars, of which there are three. These are Elevador da Glória, Elevador da Bica, and Elevador da Lavra. Perhaps the most picturesque is the Elevador da Bica, which passes through a charming residential neighborhood just below Bairro Alto.
"Cristo Rei" The monument to Christ the King - Cristo Rei - stands on the left side of the river, in Almada. With open arms, overlooking the whole city, it resembles the Corcovado monument in Rio de Janeiro, and was built after World War II, as thanks for Portugal's being spared the horrors and destruction of the war.
St. Anthony Every June there are 5 days of popular street celebrations in memory of a saint born in Lisbon Anthony of Lisbon ("Santo António"). Saint Anthony, also known as Saint Anthony of Padua, was a wealthy Portuguese bohemian who was canonized and made Doctor of the Church after a life preaching to the poor, simpler people. Although Lisbon's patron saint is Saint Vincent, whose remains are in the Lisbon Cathedral, there are no festivities associated with him.
Wine from the region of Lisbon
Portugal produces some of the world's finest, oldest, unique and highest value-added wines.
The country has a large variety of native breeds - about 285 - producing a very wide
variety of different wines with distinctive personality.
