In addition to the mainland, Portugal also includes two autonomous regions. Madeira is an archipelago comprising four islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Funchal is the capital of the main island also called Madeira, which is volcanic and green, with jagged cliffs and a sub-tropical climate.

The Azores is also an archipelago. São Miguel is the largest of these islands, featuring spectacular landscapes, wild hydrangeas, quaint fishing villages, and lake-filled calderas.

The mainland’s population of 10 million is concentrated in two cities: the capital, Lisbon (about 518,000), and the “second city” of Porto (250,000). The southernmost region of continental Portugal, the Algarve, is famous for miles of shimmering beaches, water sports, and lush golf courses, and home to 450,000 people. Other main cities include Braga (121,000) in the north; the university town of Coimbra (107,000) in the central region, and Amadora (179,000) and Setúbal (117,000) near Lisbon. That means the northeastern area, Trás-os-Montes, and much of the interior region known as the Alentejo, both bordering Spain, are sparsely populated, featuring small towns and villages.