Lisboa

Lisboa, or Lisboa in Portuguese, is the capital and largest city of Portugal. It is situated on the north bank of the Tagus estuary along the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost capital in continental Europe. The city proper has about half a million residents, while the greater Lisbon metropolitan area hosts several million people.

Historically, the area has been settled since ancient times, with Phoenician and Roman influence. In the 8th century the Moors occupied the city, which was reconquered in 1147 by Afonso I. Lisbon expanded during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming a major Atlantic port. The 1755 earthquake led to large urban redesigns by the Marquis of Pombal. In the later 20th century, Lisbon continued as Portugal’s political center and developed into a hub for tourism and services.

Geographically, the city is built on a series of hills overlooking the Tagus. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Average temperatures range from roughly 8–12 °C in winter to 25–28 °C in summer, with much of the rainfall falling in the colder season.

Key districts include Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto, as well as Belém, home to the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Lisbon’s landmarks include Praça do Comércio and the historic tram network, notably line 28. The city is served by Humberto Delgado Airport and the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Economically, Lisbon relies on services, finance, education, and tourism. It is a center for higher education with institutions such as ULisboa and NOVA University Lisbon.