Portugal regarding the European Union

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS OF PORTUGAL Portugal moved from authoritarian rule to parliamentary democracy following the 1974 military coup against Marcelo Caetano, whose rule embodied a continuation of the long-running dictatorship of Antonio Salazar. After a period of instability and communist agitation, Portugal ratified a new constitution in 1976. Subsequent revisions of the constitution placed the military under strict civilian control; trimmed the powers of the president; and laid the groundwork for a stable, pluralistic liberal democracy, as well as privatization of nationalized firms and the government-owned media. Portugal joined the European Union (EU) in 1986 and has moved toward greater political and economic integration with Europe ever since. Portugal was one of the first-wave countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.

Portugal at a glance
Surface area: 91 910 km2 Population: 10 631 800 (Eurostat 2009) Joined the European Union: 1 January 1986 Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Portuguese escudo, PTE)

Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999. Fixed conversion rate: 1 = 200.482 PTE Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Portugal on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only existed as 'book money'. The dual circulation period when both the Portuguese escudo and the euro had legal tender status ended on 28 February 2002. Exchange of former national currency: The Banco de Portugal (Central Bank of Portugal) exchanged escudo coins until 31 December 2002 and will continue to exchange escudo banknotes until 28 February

NATIONAL SYMBOLS
Following the creation of the Republic, a decree of the National Constituent Assembly dated 19 June 1911 approved a new national flag, which replaced the previous one. The republican national flag is vertically divided into two colours - dark green and red - with the green on the hoist or flagstaff side. In the centre, superimposed on the colour boundary, is the national coat of arms rimmed in white, over the armillary sphere in yellow and highlighted in black. The length of the flag is one-and-a-half times the height of the hoist. Two fifths of the total length is green, and the remaining three fifths is red. The emblem occupies half the height and is placed equidistant from the upper and lower borders.

The choice of the colours and the design of the flag were not consensual and gave rise to heated arguments and several other proposals. The Government appointed a Commission to consider the matter, and it was able to explain the choice in a way that won the day.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Commemorative coins
2
20 cent

10 cent

50 cent

5 cent