Portugal has circa 10,3 million resident inhabitants and most of its population lives in sunny coastal areas. Important cities include the capital Lisbon, Porto (in the north), Coimbra (in the center), Faro (in southern Algarve), as well as Ponta Delgada (in the Azores) and Funchal (in Madeira).

Portugal is a Republic since 1910, having in force the same Constitution since 1976. The President, the Parliament, the Government and the Courts are the representatives of the sovereign country, and both the President and the Parliament are chosen through general democratic elections. The Government is normally formed by the party who wins the election for Parliament.