Portugal

Overview

Europe's westernmost country, perched on the Atlantic edge of the Iberian Pensinsula, Portugal ranks 19th in the world for quality of life (source: The Economist Intelligence Unit).

A member of the European Union since 1986, the country was also a founding member of global organisations including NATO and the OECD. About 20% of Portugal's population of just over 11 million live in the Grande Lisboa (Lisbon) subregion. In recent years, the focus of national development has switched from public consumption to exports, private investment and the growing hi-tech sector, with business services overtaking more traditional industries such as production of textiles, footwear and cork (of which the country is the world’s leading provider).

Portugal is also a major European tourist destination, thanks to its numerous sandy beaches and excellent climate, particularly in the Algarve region and the south and west coasts.

The GAC Shipping Marketing Office in Sintra, northwest of the capital Lisbon, covers Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Italy, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain.