Lisbon and Portugal - History and Culture

Written by Robert Carlton


Portugal has always been known asrepparttar land torepparttar 133790 left of Spain onrepparttar 133791 Iberian Peninsula, caught among its traditional way of life - fishing and agriculture. But thanks torepparttar 133792 technology andrepparttar 133793 integration, Portugal´s 91.985 km2, of which 88.944 km2 correspond torepparttar 133794 mainland territory andrepparttar 133795 rest torepparttar 133796 beautiful islands ofrepparttar 133797 Azores and Madeira. The country is divided into 11 regions, with 18 districts headed by a Governor and these districts each have their own Town hall and Mayor.

Since Early Times

Atrepparttar 133798 beginning, Portugal was not differentiated fromrepparttar 133799 northern part of Spain called Galicia because it was a homogeneous cultural unit. The first boundary stone was initiated inrepparttar 133800 Neolithic period whenrepparttar 133801 Castrena Culture began with fortified huts in a circular pattern topped with cone shaped straw roofs. While inrepparttar 133802 fertile southern plainsrepparttar 133803 Tartarians, Greeks and Phoenicians started rich colonies, inrepparttar 133804 rough and granate like north of Portugal,repparttar 133805 Lusitanians presented their resistance. The Roman conquest put an end to this domain and forrepparttar 133806 first time in history,repparttar 133807 Portuguese territory was separated fromrepparttar 133808 Galician. Braga was namedrepparttar 133809 first capital ofrepparttar 133810 Swabian kings who reigned in Portugal from 408 to 585. Laterrepparttar 133811 Visigods, who had been established in Spain expanded their land into Portugal. But as allrepparttar 133812 Iberian Peninsula, repparttar 133813 Arabs extended their powerful arm and in 711 also reachrepparttar 133814 south. But for unknown reasons,repparttar 133815 Arabs left Portugal, only leaving behind their culture and architecture.

But Henry of Borgona, who was Earl of Portugal andrepparttar 133816 father-in-law of King Alfonso VI of Castilla had his own plans for Portugal and it was his son, Alfonso Henry, after a decisive battle in Guimaraes was proclaimed King of Portugal in 1128. From here, his successors extendedrepparttar 133817 territory up until inrepparttar 133818 XIII repparttar 133819 Portuguese territory was completed.

In 1415, King Joao I wanted to conquer more lands and started a campaign into repparttar 133820 African territories. This impulse also sent Portuguese naval ships to occupy Madeira in 1418 andrepparttar 133821 Azores in 1427. But they did not stop there, as we all know they reachedrepparttar 133822 Brazilian coast too.

Leaving Portugal without any heirs, Philip II of Spain, who was born from repparttar 133823 daughter ofrepparttar 133824 king of Portugal, was proclaimed King in 1580. But in 1640 withrepparttar 133825 Treaty of Lisbon, Spain gave it its independence.

Coming up to more modern times, Portugal joinedrepparttar 133826 Atlantic Treaty in 1949 andrepparttar 133827 United Nations in 1955. After having gone through many types of political parties, Portugal nowadays is a stable country open torepparttar 133828 world.

A Quick over view of Portugal

Portugal has a seducing enchantment and anyone who surrenders to it will never regret it. The best way to see Portugal is to do it by car and very slowly. By car because it isrepparttar 133829 most comfortable way to stop and see allrepparttar 133830 spellbinding scenery that this amazing place has to offer. It is known asrepparttar 133831 country with 101 castle and we would like to see quite a few. Slowly, becauserepparttar 133832 road ways, not main highways, are very sinuous.

Lisbon capital and heart of Portugal

I would recommend starting out from Lisbon,repparttar 133833 capital of Portugal and its surrounding towns. Lisbon is a city which makes you feel that time has never gone by, not only because of its architecture but thanks torepparttar 133834 people themselves and for not being in a hurry. You can begin atrepparttar 133835 center inrepparttar 133836 Plaza do Comercio, set right onrepparttar 133837 River Tajo and either head down towardsrepparttar 133838 water and along repparttar 133839 port promenade or intorepparttar 133840 hub ofrepparttar 133841 city to visitrepparttar 133842 numerous churches, monuments and living history unfolding before your eyes.



Beach Vacation Photo Tips – Make Your Vacation AND Photos Memorable

Written by Robert Bezman


Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take plenty of photographs. Once you're home and you view or print them out; are you ecstatic, bored, or disappointed? Be honest, now!

Does this sound familiar… You arrive at your destination, checkrepparttar place out, and quickly change to go torepparttar 133789 beach. Happily, you've remembered to take your sun block, nose plugs, and bathing suit. Maybe you remembered your camera, maybe you didn't.

Going on a family beach vacation brings up contradicting desires. Onrepparttar 133790 one hand, you want everyone to have a wonderful, fun, relaxing, memorable vacation. Onrepparttar 133791 other hand, most people don't want to do what's required to preserverepparttar 133792 memories.

We will show you how to haverepparttar 133793 best of both worlds. By providing photography tips, you can capture outstanding beach vacation pictures, enjoy takingrepparttar 133794 photos, and ensure that when you look atrepparttar 133795 photos at home, you won't be thinking: "Was this OUR vacation!?!"

Can’t-Miss Beach Vacation Photo Tips

1) Packingrepparttar 133796 Right Equipment

When you pack for your dream beach vacation, remember these essential items: Camera, batteries, memory cards, camera case, battery chargers, external flash (if available), tripod, and portable digital storage device. If you have an abundance of memory, you can leaverepparttar 133797 storage device at home.

2) Consider These Purchases

I know… you’re already spending more than you want to onrepparttar 133798 vacation. Sorepparttar 133799 last thing you want is some stranger suggesting you spend more on photo accessories. But, read on and find out what these low cost accessories will do for you before you skip to Tip #3.

Consider purchasing a circular polarizer filter for your lens. STRONGLY consider it! It will be one ofrepparttar 133800 least expensive accessories you can buy, and you will LOVErepparttar 133801 results. What arerepparttar 133802 results? A bluer sky,repparttar 133803 ability to see objects under water, and creating colors that will “pop” offrepparttar 133804 page.

3) Insurance

Do you have insurance on your possessions? Did your camera cost more than $25.00? Then do yourself a big favor and buy a UV filter to place over your lens for protection. If your lens becomes damaged, your camera is ruined. You can probably get a good UV filter for under $20.00.

4) The Magical Landscape Shot

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use