13 lesser-known historical facts about Portugal
1 The Kingdom of Portugal was established in 1139, making it one of the oldest nations in Europe.
2 The Treaty of Windsor, signed in 1386, established a long-standing alliance between Portugal and England.
3 Prince Henry the Navigator played a crucial role in the early days of the Portuguese Empire.
4 The Portuguese discovered the sea route to India in 1498, led by Vasco da Gama.
5 The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain.
6 Lisbon was devastated by a massive earthquake in 1755, followed by a tsunami and fires.
7 The Carnation Revolution in 1974 peacefully ended Portugal's dictatorship and its colonial wars.
8 The Portuguese Empire was the first global empire in history and one of the longest-lived
colonial empires.
9 Fado music, a genre characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, originated in Portugal.
10 The Azores and Madeira, autonomous regions of Portugal, are known for their unique landscapes and cultures.
11 Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001, leading to a significant reduction in drug-related deaths and infections.
12 The Lisbon Treaty, which reformed the European Union, was signed in the Portuguese capital in 2007.
13 The Belem Tower in Lisbon is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Portugal's Age of Exploration.
