Portugal
- Land area
- 92,345 km2
- Population
- 10.6 million
- Currency
- euro [EUR]
Portugal forms part of the Iberian Peninsula, situated on the westernmost edge of continental Europe. Nearly eleven million people live here – most of them on a strip of the Atlantic coast that extends from the Spanish border in the north to the metropolis of Lisbon. The country’s interior and southern regions are characterised by agriculture and are more sparsely populated in comparison.
In recent years, Portugal has experienced increased strain in terms of its role as a location for business. The necessary reforms following the global financial crisis alongside considerable cuts in governmental spending have inhibited the purchasing power of the Portuguese. But the worst of the economic recession now seems to be behind them.
The Portuguese trade sector is highly developed and displays a relatively high density of companies. The 1980s saw the establishment of supermarkets, discounters and large-scale superstores – all very popular among the Portuguese. A large number of independent retailers are also still in operation and continue to play an important role in supplying goods at the local level.