Introduction
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. It was once a remote outpost that was thought to lie at the farthest edge of the known world. The city flourished as the center of operations for Portuguese exploration in the 15th century. Present-day Lisbon remains the country's chief port and largest city. It is also a major commercial and political center.
Cityscape
Lisbon is a seaside city of white houses and elegant parks and gardens. The official entrance to Lisbon is a broad marble stair. It rises from the river to a large square filled with archways. To the north is Lisbon's central commercial district, the Cidade Baixa (Lower City). The city's main street is the Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue). Its wide, mosaic-covered sidewalks lead to the more modern sections of town. The medieval Alfama district is the oldest part of the city. The Bairro Alto (High Quarter) dates mainly from the 17th century. Some of its streets are so steep that they give way to stairs, cable cars, and even an elevator.
Lisbon's oldest monument is the Castle of St. George, parts of which date to the 5th century. The Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery are architectural treasures from the 16th century. The interiors of several of Lisbon's churches are decorated in gold, marble, carved wood, and rare tiles. One outstanding example is the 16th-century church of São Roque.
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon houses all the main institutions of the country. The parliament meets at the Palace of the National Assembly. A former royal palace is now the official home of the president of Portugal.
Culture
The University of Lisbon is a main center of higher education. The city is home to two main theaters and an orchestra. The Gulbenkian Foundation and Museum presents music, ballet, and exhibits of visual arts. Other Lisbon museums are devoted to ancient carriages, city history, many forms of art, and painted tiles called azulejos.
Economy
The Lisbon area has become one of Portugal's most important centers of manufacturing. The city's traditional industries include the making of soap, weapons, and steel. Newer industries include oil refining, diamond cutting, and the production of glassware, electronics, margarine, and cork. The area houses one of the world's largest cement plants. Tourism is also important to the city's economy.
History
According to legend, the ancient Greek hero Ulysses was the founder of Lisbon. However, it seems likely that the Phoenicians founded the city in about 1200 BC as a trading station. The area was under Roman rule from about 200 BC to AD 400. The Visigoths, a Germanic people, took control of Lisbon in the 6th century.
The Muslims of North Africa took Lisbon when they overran Spain and Portugal in the 8th century. In 1147 the city fell to the Christian king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. In 1256 Lisbon became the national capital.
The 15th and 16th centuries were Portugal's golden age of exploration and discovery. Lisbon became the commercial center for the Portuguese empire. Many of Lisbon's residents became rich. In 1580 Spain conquered Portugal. A group of Lisbon nobles drove out the Spaniards and restored Portugal's independence in 1640.
One of the greatest earthquakes ever recorded struck Lisbon in 1755. It is believed that 30,000 people died and more than 9,000 buildings were destroyed.
Lisbon rebuilt quickly and then continued to expand in the 19th century. In 1908 Portugal's king and crown prince were murdered in the city. Two years later a republic was declared, with Lisbon as its capital.
Portugal's neutrality during World War II (1939–45), made Lisbon a shelter for foreigners fleeing the war. The face of the city changed with new construction that took place in the 1960s and 1970s. Lisbon hosted the World Exposition in 1998. Population (2001 estimate), city, 556,800; metropolitan area, 3,447,170.
