Portugal is a predominantly Roman Catholic country with a close-knit family ethic. Its rich culture results from many influences, including Celtic, Lusitanian, Phoenician, Germanic, Visigoth, Viking, Sephardic Jewish, and Moorish.
The Official National Animal of Portugal. While Portugal does not have a national animal, many residents think of the rooster as the national symbol. Legend says that a horrible crime had been committed. A stranger passing through the town was condemned for a crime that he did not commit.
Like all native Europeans, the Portuguese are part of what has been called the Caucasian (or white) race. The Portuguese language is a Romance language. All Romance languages descend from Latin, the language of the Romans.
The Portuguese way of life is about understanding that you are not always in power, that you should enjoy the small things in life, and love those around you deeply. Yes, Portugal is a small country with a very humble culture.
The Barcelos Rooster, commonly called the Portuguese Rooster, is said to be the embodiment of the Portuguese love of life. As the unofficial symbol of Portugal, you can find this emblem in many forms in every local shop and especially gift shops.
Christianity is the predominant religion in Portugal, with Catholicism being its largest denomination. Portugal has no official religion, though in the past, the Catholic Church in Portugal was the state religion.
In the cities you will find the locals dress in a smart, casual and understated elegant style. Opt for a smart casual look with nice shoes. Jeans are very popular everywhere in Portugal, especially with younger people, but they are always smart and clean.
Low wages in Portugal
A major downside to living in Portugal is finding a well-paying job. Whether you are making minimum wage or the average salary, do not expect to make a lot of money. In 2022, the national minimum salary in Portugal is €705 a month before tax.
Bacalhau. Bacalhau (dried, salted cod) is Portugal's national dish, although saying national dish is a bit confusing as there really isn't just one recipe for bacalhau: rumour has it that there are more than 365 different ways to cook bacalhau, and some people say that's even an under-estimation.
Portuguese cuisine is famous for its delicious seafood. Beyond Bacalhau or Portuguese codfish and sardines, octopus or polvo is another popular Portuguese seafood dish loved by all. Polvo à la lagareiro is a famous octopus dish that you will find across the country.
Lavender is Portugal's national flower and is part of the extended mint family of plants. Lavender is a popular cooking ingredient and its potent oils can be found in many balms, salves and perfumes.
During the Middle Ages, the region around Portus Cale became known by the Suebi and Visigoths as Portucale. The name Portucale evolved into Portugale during the 7th and 8th centuries, and by the 9th century, that term was used extensively to refer to the region between the rivers Douro and Minho.
Portugal is one of the world's oldest nation-states, with over 800 years of history and relatively stable territorial borders.
According to an early genetic study, the Portuguese are a relatively distinct population according to HLA data, as they have a high frequency of the HLA-A25-B18-DR15 and A26-B38-DR13 genes, the latter is a unique Portuguese marker.
A typical Portuguese person is typical of average height, with brown or dark hair and eyes. They usually have a Mediterranean complexion, with olive skin tones. Portuguese people are typically very proud of their country and culture and are very passionate about the things they love.
Commitment and dedication are two qualities that every Portuguese woman possesses. She is taught from a young age to be true to her traditions, and that means that she will always take every relationship seriously. Don't expect your date to commit to more after one or two dates.
The Portuguese are very proud of their gastronomy and love showing it off. Generally the food in Portugal is healthy and focuses on fresh produce, with fresh fish and meat often taking centre stage.