Tag: Portugal

According to thereligionfaqs, Portugal is a predominantly Catholic country, with around 88% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic and a further 7% identifying as Protestant. The largest church in Portugal is located in Lisbon and is part of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, which oversees all Catholic churches in the country. In addition to Christianity, there are several other religions present in Portugal such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and various tribal religions. Judaism is mainly practiced by immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East while Islam is mostly practiced by immigrants from Morocco and Turkey. Buddhism is also practiced by some members of Asian communities living in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto. The tribal religions present in Portugal are mostly animist beliefs that have been passed down through generations for thousands of years. These traditional beliefs often focus on ancestor worship and nature spirits as well as taboos related to certain animals or plants. In some cases these ancient traditions have blended with Christianity over time resulting in syncretic religious practices that combine elements from both traditions. This form of syncretism has become increasingly popular in recent years as it allows for individuals to maintain their cultural identity while still adhering to Christian beliefs and values. Portugal in 2011 was located in the south-western corner of Europe, bordering Spain to the east. It had a population of 10.6 million people and a land area of 92,090 square kilometers. The country was divided into 18 administrative districts and its capital was Lisbon, the largest city in Portugal. In terms of economy, Portugal’s GDP in 2011 was estimated at €191 billion and it had a high unemployment rate of around 11%. Its main exports included textiles and apparel as well as machinery & equipment while its imports included chemicals and food products. In terms of international trade it had strong ties with other European Union countries such as France & Germany as well as with non-EU countries like Brazil & Angola. In terms of social development during 2011 Portugal had made some progress since its transition to democracy in 1974; poverty levels had declined significantly but still remained high at around 17%. Healthcare was free to all citizens while education was available to all up to the age of 18; however there were still some disparities in access to basic services between urban & rural areas at this time period. In terms of politics during 2011 Portugal had a parliamentary system which allowed for elections every four years; the prime minister at this time period was José Sócrates who won the 2009 election with 38% of the vote. Furthermore it also had a multi-party system which allowed for various political parties such as Social Democratic Party (PSD), Socialist Party (PS) and People’s Party (CDS-PP) to contest elections at all levels. Overall, during 2011 Portugal enjoyed moderate economic growth thanks to its diverse range international relations while further promoting social progress through initiatives aimed at reducing poverty & inequality throughout its society at this time period. Despite these positive developments, Portuguese citizens were facing hard times due to austerity measures implemented by the government which led to public discontent and protests throughout the country during this year. Check politicsezine for Portugal Political System.