Portugal Lisbon
Portugal's capital, a city of about 700,000 people, sits on
the north bank of the Tejo (Tagus) estuary, 17 km
(10 miles) from the Atlantic. The central area of
Baixa was devastated by the earthquake of 1755, and
today's carefully planned grid of elegant streets
is essentially an 18th century creation. To either
side, the narrow streets and hills of the Alfama and
Bairro Alto districts provide interesting walks and
wonderful views. To the west, at the mouth of the
Tejo, lies Belem . From here, during the 15th and
16th centuries, ships set out into the unknown world,
and impressive buildings such as the Mosteiro deo
Jeronimos still bear testimony to Portugal's days
as a forcible maritime power.
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