Economic- geographical position Portugal

In the south-west of Europe, within the Iberian Peninsula, there is a small capitalist country of Portugal. The Azores and Madeira, located in the Atlantic Ocean, are its autonomous parts. The distance from the mainland of the country to the Azores is 1500 km, and to Madeira - 650 km.

Portugal occupies the Atlantic and Mediterranean geographical position, having access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The land border is only with Spain.

Remark 1

The country has an important strategic position, being in the extreme southwest and having islands that jut far into the Atlantic. These advantages are actively used by NATO partners, for example, the US military bases are located in the Azores.

A huge role in the development of the country was played by its favorable position at the crossroads of sea routes between Europe, Africa, North and South America. Portuguese navigators discovered many new lands that were used for robbery, so later Portugal did not hold its ground, failing to create a powerful colonial empire. In 1974, Portuguese colonialism came to an end.

The Portuguese transport network is not well developed. It is connected with Spain and the rest of Europe by two railway lines - Lisbon-Madrid and Lisbon-Salamanca and two highways going in the same direction.

Maritime transport is very important for the country, the tonnage of which is growing every year. River transport is little used, because during the dry period the country's rivers are not navigable.

Air transport connects Portugal with other countries. International airports there is not only in Lisbon and Porto, but also on the islands.

The narrow internal market of Portugal is dependent on the world market conditions, therefore, foreign trade occupies an important place in its economy.

Remark 2

In the international geographical division of labor before the 1974 revolution, the role of the country was dual. Portugal occupied a subordinate position in relation to the developed capitalist countries on the one hand, and on the other hand, it was itself a metropolis exploiting the colonies.

Portugal's exports are represented by machinery and equipment, vehicles, metallurgy products, plastic, fuel. Export partners were EU countries, Angola, Brazil, USA.

The main import items were machinery and equipment, oil, oil products, raw materials, semi-finished products. The main partners were the EU countries, China, Brazil.

The foreign trade balance of the country is in constant deficit.

Remark 3

Thus, the physical and geographical position of the country is exceptionally favorable in comparison with its economic and geographical position. The country has not yet put the available resources at the service of its economy and continues to occupy a secondary position among the developed countries of Europe.

Natural conditions of Portugal

The territory of the country is quite different in relief.

Its northern part is mountainous, and its southern part is represented by hilly plains and lowlands.

The Portuguese mountains, formed during the Hercynian folding period, are a continuation of the Spanish Meseta. River valleys divide them into numerous ridges and plateaus. The highest ridges are called serras, with sharp jagged belts. And the word serra itself literally means saw. So, for example, the Serra da Estrela massif has a height of 1991 m.

To the south, the surface becomes more uniform. Here is the Portuguese lowland with adjacent plateau-like uplands, 300-500 m high.

Mountains reappear in the south, most often of volcanic origin with a peak - Mount Foya (902 m). The country is located in an active seismic zone and earthquakes can reach 8 points.

I must say that at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, 150 km west of the coast, two underwater volcanoes were discovered. Earthquakes that happen here once every 2 years have epicenters coinciding with the zones of tectonic faults. More dangerous earthquakes are associated with underwater faults, accompanied by the occurrence huge waves. Moving towards the coast, they strongly destroy it and cause great damage.

The climate of Portugal is subtropical. The weather is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, so the temperature in the country will be slightly lower than at the same latitudes of the Mediterranean.

The cold Canary Current flowing near the coast also affects the weather in Portugal. In addition, the formation of the weather is influenced by the terrain.

There are several climatic regions within the country:

• northwestern region with mild winters and short summers, but with an abundance of precipitation;
• northeastern region with hot summers and rather long, cold and snowy winters;
• southern region with dry and hot summers and mild winters.

Snow that does not form a stable cover can fall in all parts of the country.

The average January temperature varies from north to south, respectively from +3 to +11.9 degrees. Day and night temperatures are +8 and +0.5 degrees in the north of the country and +16 ... +8 degrees in the south of the country.

The hottest months are July and August. In the northern part of Portugal +19, in the southern part +23.4 degrees. Daytime temperature in all areas is from +24 to +28.8 degrees.

At night, the thermometer stays at +10 degrees in the north and +16…+18 degrees in the south.

Precipitation falls mainly during the cold season. In the mountainous area in the north of the country, more than 1000 mm falls annually, and their maximum amount is typical for the Serra da Estrela.

In Central and Southern Portugal, where the territory is flat, the annual precipitation is 400-800 mm and decreases in places along south coast up to 300 mm. July and August are the driest months.

Natural resources of Portugal

Of great importance are the deposits of tungsten ores occurring in the north and northeast of the country in the Serra da Estrela mountains. In terms of the reserves of these ores, which are estimated at 13 thousand tons, Portugal is in first place in foreign Europe.

In the area of ​​these mountains there are rich deposits of uranium with reserves of 8.7 thousand tons, this is 1/7 of all explored Western European reserves. Only France and Spain are ahead.

The main tin deposit is Baraleira, located in the mountains of the northeast. Deposits of copper pyrite have been known since ancient times, they lie on the hilly plains of the south and are estimated at 200 million tons.

Cuprous pyrites - the Aljustrel deposit, is the largest and is located in the region of the ore belt stretching from the Spanish deposits.

In addition, there is iron ore, beryl, black and brown coal, table salt, but their deposits are small.

The water resources of the country are represented by the Tagus, Douro, Minho, Guadiana rivers, most of them in the upper and middle reaches belong to Spain. The northern rivers are more abundant. The most abundant is the Douro. The rivers are mainly fed by rain, and their navigable value is small.

Various climatic conditions contributed to the formation of the soil cover. In the north of the country, under conditions of excessive moisture, mountain brown forest soils were formed. Often they are stony or gravelly, and in some places podzolized.

Brown-brown soils formed in arid regions, and alluvial soils along river valleys.

Saline and marshy soils are common in places along the sea coasts. Soils are degrading as a result of human activities in many areas.

The third part of the country is covered with forests, where valuable tree species predominate - pine, Portuguese, cork, holm oaks. In the world market, the price of wood of these species is very high.

- 83.24 Kb

Portugal is a country with low tension and a moderate water reserve.

HTC \u003d 1.3 - sufficient moisture

Agro-climatic resources.

Unlike other countries of Southern Europe, Portugal is more strongly influenced by the Atlantic, so its Mediterranean climate has oceanic features. The cooling effect on the climate is exerted by the cold Canary Current, which runs from north to south along west coast countries. Humidified cool air from the Atlantic, brought by the prevailing winds, freely penetrates almost the entire territory of Portugal. In coastal regions, summer is 5-7° colder, and winter 1-2° warmer than in southern Italy and Greece at the same latitudes. There is usually no sweltering summer heat here, the average July air temperature in the plains varies from 19 ° in the north to 25 ° in the south, and in the mountains summers are cooler by 2-3 °. Winters are warm and mild with average January temperatures in the plains from 8° to 11°, and in the mountains up to 3-5°. Thus, the seasons of temperature changes are very small. South of the river Tagus has an almost continuous growing season, and frosts do not occur every year. Thermal conditions allow all major subtropical crops to ripen, and even palm trees grow in the southern regions.

In small redistributions, the temperature of oceanic waters also changes during the year - from 13-15 ° in winter to 17-18 ° in summer. The cool sea holds back the tourist and resort base from the western coast of northern Portugal, where the swimming season lasts only 3 months. Therefore, despite the abundance of beautiful sandy beaches, major resorts little here. Water warms up more near the southern coast, remote from the Canary Current. Here resort towns and villages are much more common.

Portugal is located in a hot climate zone. The sum of active temperatures is over 8000 0 C, the growing season is all year round.

Land resources.

In accordance with the differences in climatic conditions of Northern and Southern Portugal, the soil cover also changes. In the mountains and foothills in the north of the country, under conditions of sufficient or excessive moisture, mountain brown forest soils predominate, often stony or gravel, podzolized in places. In the more arid central and southern regions, brown-brown soils play the main role. Brown soils are also found in the driest regions of the south of the country. Alluvial soils stretch in strips along the river valleys. Alkaline and marshy soils are distributed in places along the sea coasts, and here there are areas of both developed and semi-fixed sands. Significant areas of plains and foothills are plowed up. Brown forest and alluvial soils have the highest natural fertility, on which grapes, tobacco, etc., mainly subtropical crops, are grown. Brown-brown and brown soils give satisfactory yields of many agricultural crops, mainly cereals, under irrigation conditions. IN mountainous areas with large slopes of the surface, thin skeletal soils are developed, the agricultural use of which is insignificant. Long-term economic development of the plains, deforestation on the slopes of the mountains and excessive pressure on the pasture contributed to degradation and accelerated erosion in many areas.

The vegetation cover of Portugal is dominated by Mediterranean evergreen forests and shrubs. In the north, they are mixed with deciduous, broad-leaved forests. Once almost the entire territory of Portugal was covered with forests. Now they are heavily exterminated.

The vegetation cover of the mountainous regions of Northern Portugal is characterized by altitudinal zonality up to 1000-1200 meters along the slopes coniferous-deciduous forests rise, mainly from oak, beech, common pine and coastal pine. Higher up, the forest becomes oppressed, stunted, crooked forests and shrubs appear. Alpine-type meadows begin at altitudes of 1500-1600 m.

Forest resources.

Forests cover 1/5 of the territory of Portugal; almost half of them are coniferous, mostly pine. Approximately 607 thousand hectares are occupied by cork oak plantations. Portugal supplies half of the world's cork production. The area of ​​eucalyptus plantations, characterized by rapid growth, is rapidly expanding; it is the most important source of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. Forests are essential to the economy and foreign trade of Portugal.

Forest area - 3.3 million hectares

Forest cover: 2.79%

In southern Portugal, forests of evergreen holm and cork oaks are common. There are also evergreen kermes oaks and maquis - a community of evergreen hard-leaved thorny shrubs and low (up to 4-6 m) trees. Typical representatives of the Portuguese maquis are wild olive, tree heather, strawberry tree, cistus, myrtle, pistachio. On the western coast there are large plantations of long-coniferous (up to 20 cm) maritime pine, which helps to fix the dunes, there are also plantations of eucalyptus. For the southern parts of the coast, carob, gorse and heather are very characteristic. In the river valleys floodplain meadows are green.

The main value of the forests of Portugal is the cork oak. This tree can reach a height of 20 m, the cork cover protects it from excessive evaporation. Throughout the country there are plantations of olive trees. There are about a million of them here.

Economy.

Currency.

currency parity. Since January 1, 2002, the Euro (Euro) has been introduced. There are 100 cents in one euro. Until the end of 2012, the national bank will exchange national banknotes for euros free of charge, until the end of 2002 all old banknotes and coins can also be exchanged at any exchange office (in most cases also free of charge). The exchange rate - 1 Euro = 200.482 Portuguese Escudos, is fixed and will not change. There are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

The Euro exchange rate as of December 21, 2010 is 40.51 rubles.

Currency convertibility. Since January 1999, within the framework of the European Monetary Union, a new, single currency, the euro, has been introduced, which within a few years should replace the national currencies of the member countries of the union. Along with the US dollar, a new world currency is emerging. So far, it has been introduced only for non-cash payments, but from January 1, 2002, it will also have to appear in cash. The introduction of the euro is an unprecedented project that will lead to serious changes not only in the European but also in the world economy and will be one of the most important factors in the development of the economy of the whole world in the coming millennium.

The emergence of a common European currency is a logical continuation of the integration processes in Europe and in the world. As a result of negotiations that began in December 1991 in Maastricht (Netherlands), a decision was made on the gradual formation of the European Monetary Union, which should be based on a single European currency and the European Central Bank. The creation of the European Monetary Union and the introduction of the euro will solve many important tasks, including:

1. coordinate the monetary and financial policy of the EU countries;
2. ensure the financial stability of the European currency against the dollar, the Japanese yen and other currencies;
3. pursue a single monetary and foreign exchange policy in the interests of the EU countries.

A positive consequence of the introduction of the euro, subject to successful cooperation, will be the alleviation of the problems associated with the circulation of banknotes and coins in Europe. European and other banks, working together, will be able to reduce the cost of cash processing, smooth out the problems of supply and demand for cash in different periods. It will also be easier for banks with a characteristic excess or shortage of cash to work.

Opportunities will open up for firms that will organize and conduct a campaign to collect old coins in the countries of the euro area, as well as firms that provide cash transportation throughout Europe and beyond.

Through the standardization of requirements and laws across Europe, cash management will become more efficient and reliable.

According to the Central Bank of Russia, already now the funds of individuals and legal entities in the national currencies of the countries of the European Economic and Monetary Union on accounts in Russian banks can be converted into euros on a voluntary basis. Individuals can open euro accounts in Russian banks to deposit savings and use them for non-cash payments, in particular with payment cards. The purchase of euro banknotes and coins will become possible after their introduction into cash circulation - from January 1, 2002. The MICEX is already constantly trading with the participation of the euro.

GDP per capita.

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Portugal was $110 billion. The per capita national income is $12,000 (70% of the EU average).

Industries.

The most important traditional industries are textiles (cotton and wool), clothing, winemaking, olive oil production, canned fish, cork processing (the leading place in the world). Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering (shipbuilding and ship repair, car assembly, electrical engineering); the chemical, oil refining and petrochemical, cement, glass-ceramic (production of blue facing tiles) industries are developing. Farming dominates agriculture. About half of the cultivated land is arable; viticulture, fruit growing, olive plantations. In livestock breeding, cattle breeding, sheep breeding, pig breeding. Fishing (mainly sardines).

Developed branches of agriculture.

The main cereal crop in Portugal is wheat, followed by corn. Wheat is grown mainly in the south of the country, corn - in the north. In addition, legumes, oats, rye, barley and rice are of commercial importance. The potato is an important food crop.
Viticulture and winemaking play a huge role in agriculture. Portugal is one of the leading Western European wine exporting countries. The most important areas of viticulture are the valleys of the northern rivers Douro, Mondego and Lima. Vineyards are also located in the Algarve and on the Setúbal Peninsula, directly south of Lisbon. Portuguese dessert wines, especially port and muscat, as well as rosé table wines, are world famous.
The long coastline of Portugal and the wealth of fish resources in coastal waters have contributed to the development of fisheries. The composition of the catch is dominated by sardines, and sardines, anchovies, tuna are also fished off the coast of the country, and cod in the North Atlantic. The main fishing ports are Matosinhos, Setubal, Portimão.
Forestry plays a significant role in the economy of Portugal, a third of the country's territory is covered with forests. Commercially valuable species are pine and cork oak. Portugal annually produces more raw cork oak than the rest of the world. Eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are the main source of raw materials for pulp production.

Export Composition: textiles and clothing, food products, cork, ships, electrical equipment, chemical products, clothing and footwear, machinery, pulp and paper industry, cork, leather.
Export geography (2004): Spain 24.8%, France 14%, Germany 13.5%, UK 9.6%, USA 6%, Italy 4.3%, Belgium 4.1%.
Export volume (2001) $25.9 billion
Import composition: transport and engineering equipment, petroleum products, chemical industry products, textiles, food.
Import geography (2004): Spain 29.3%, Germany 14.4%, France 9.7%, Italy 6.1%, Netherlands 4.6%, UK 4.5%
Import volume (2001): $39 billion
External debt (1997): $13.1 billion

The international cooperation.

The main foreign trade partners are the countries of the European Community. (Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium), USA.

International organizations :

NATO member (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) (with 1949), United Nations (United Nations) (with 1955), OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) (with

PORTUGAL (Portugal), the Portuguese Republic (Republica Portuguese), is a state in the extreme southwest of Europe, located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as on the Azores and Madeira Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The area is about 92 thousand km 2, incl. islands over 3 thousand km 2. Population 10.2 million (1984). Official language- Portuguese. The capital is Lisbon. Administratively, it is divided into 22 districts, including 4 districts of the islands. The monetary unit is the Portuguese escudo. Member of the EEC (since 1986).

General characteristics of the economy. Portugal is an industrial-agrarian country. In terms of the level of economic development (GNP value, industrial output, national income per capita), it occupies one of the last places in overseas Europe. Industry is dominated by large enterprises of transnational and national monopolies, although the share of small-scale production and handicrafts is still large. About 2/3 of the industrial potential is concentrated on the Atlantic coast of the country. The share of industry in the structure of GNP reached 35%, while the share of agriculture decreased to 13% (1984). Portugal's GDP in 1985 was 38.5 billion escudos. The country's economy is highly dependent on foreign capital and world market conditions. The dominant positions are occupied by the imperialist monopolies of Great Britain, which own over 75% of the total investment in the economy.

Relatively more developed sectors of the national economy are manufacturing (including textile), petrochemical and mining. The share of the latter in the GNP structure is small (about 1%).

In the fuel and energy balance of the country, the main place is occupied by hydro resources; Hydroelectric power plants meet more than 90% of the country's energy needs. The construction of nuclear power plants is being planned. The main mode of transport is automobile. The length of roads is 51.9 thousand km. Length railways about 4 thousand km. Merchant marine tonnage 1.4 million gross registered tons (1980); the main ports are Lisbon and Porto.

Nature. Portugal is located in the subtropical zone. The northern part of the country is mainly occupied by the deeply dissected outskirts of the Meseta plateau, above which individual crystalline massifs rise. Heights of 1000-1200 m prevail, the highest is 1991 (in the Ceppa da Estrela ridge). In the west, the mountains drop steeply to the coastal plain. south of the river Tagus is located most of the Portuguese lowland, in which flat areas alternate with low hilly ridges; in the east, the lowland is bordered by a plateau with separate ridges 600-1000 meters high. In the extreme south are the low mountains of Ceppa da Algarve (height up to 902 m), the southern slopes of which abruptly break off to the coastal lowland. The climate is mild. Due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Average January temperatures are 8-11°С, July 20-27°С. The amount of precipitation is from 800 mm in the plains to 2500 mm in the mountains. The river network is dense. Within Portugal are the lower reaches major rivers- Tagus (Taxo), Douro (Duero), Guadiana. Only the first two are navigable in the lower reaches at a distance of no more than 200 km from the mouth. They have large reserves of hydropower.

Geological structure. Most of the territory of Portugal is located within the so-called. Iberian Meseta, which represents a protrusion of the Hercynian folded region of Central and Western Europe, at the base of the section of which formations occur. They are represented by metamorphic schists and gneisses with interlayers of marbles, quartzites and effusives. Lower and (up to and including the Middle Carboniferous) formations, predominantly terrigenous (with the participation of volcanics), occur above. They are crumpled into folds and cut through by intrusions of Upper Paleozoic granitoids. Along the western and southern coast of Portugal stretches a band of weakly dislocated Mesozoic-Cenozoic rocks. Ring intrusions of alkaline rocks of the end-beginning are also known here. Precambrian carbonate rocks are associated with bedded deposits of iron ores of sedimentary-volcanic genesis (Evora crystalline massif in southern Portugal), as well as minor deposits of manganese ores. The formation of skarn iron ore deposits is associated with intrusive massifs of the tonalite series. The maximum intensity of mineralization is noted in the post-Stefanian time (Late Carboniferous - Early Permian). The final phases of the formation of intrusions are represented by small bodies of granites and granite-porphyries, with which tin-tungsten mineralization is associated. Epithermal uranium ore deposits associated with veins of chalcedonic quartz gravitate to the same areas, however, their formation is due to Alpine orogeny (about 100 million years) and is associated with dikes of basic rocks. Ores are localized in crushing zones. Alpine age in Portugal also includes polymetallic deposits and some ore occurrences of antimony and barite. These deposits are usually confined to zones of young faults in granites and Precambrian metamorphic schists.

seismicity. Portugal is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes with a magnitude of up to 8 points or more are observed in the country on average 1 time in 2 years. Seismic hazard coefficient, varying from 0 to 2, for Portugal 0.7. The epicenters, as a rule, coincide with the zones of regional tectonic faults. The strongest earthquakes (8.5 points) are associated with underwater, the most active tectonic structures.

hydrogeology. Three hydrogeological structures have been identified on the territory of Portugal: the West Portuguese and Algarve artesian basins and the Meseta hydrogeological massif. The main aquifers, developed mainly in artesian basins, are complexes of Quaternary alluvial, Neogene-Paleogene deposits and Mesozoic predominantly carbonate rocks. Quaternary sands, gravel and pebbles contain porous, mostly groundwater, occurring at a depth of 1-30 meters. Pressure waters (with a head of 6-81 m) lie at depths of the first tens of meters. Well flow rates in shallow river valleys are not more than 1 l/s, in large river valleys and on the ocean coast up to 10-34 l/s. The waters are mostly fresh (HCO 3 and HCO 3 - Cl, Ca=Na).

About 30 resorts operate on the basis of thermal mineral waters in the country. The total amount of groundwater used in the country is 1.8 km 3 /year.

Portugal has significant reserves of non-metallic minerals: limestone, granite, gabbro, nepheline syenite, etc., dolomite, gypsum, kaolin, marble. The main deposits are located in the area of ​​Vila-Visosa, Borba, Estremoz. Granite deposits - Braga-Porto, Portalegre, Evora; nepheline syenites - Faro, serpentinites - Braganza.

History of the development of mineral resources. The oldest evidence of the use of stone (pebble flint) for the manufacture of tools dates back to the ancient Paleolithic (early Acheulean, approximately 700-500 thousand years ago). Finds of this time were made mainly in the Tagus (Taxo) river basin. Until the Neolithic, flint served as the main material for the manufacture of tools and weapons. Since the Neolithic (approximately 5-4th millennium BC), various types of clay have been widely mined, mainly for making dishes. From the 4th-3rd millennium BC. (copper and bronze ages) mining begins to develop on the basis of local deposits of copper ore. Large developments of copper ores were carried out in various regions of Portugal. In Southern Portugal (Province of the Algarve, Baixo Alentejo), several dozen deposits and ore occurrences are known with traces of ancient workings, presumably dated to the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. (deposits Alti, Mesinish, Almodovar, Castro Verdi, Aljustrel, Mina di San Domingos, etc.). Mostly oxidized copper minerals were mined - malachite and azurite; chalcopyrite - probably only from the end of the 2nd or in the 1st millennium BC. The ancient large center for the extraction of copper ore was located in the province of Extremadura and Beira Litoral (deposits of Rio Mayor, Caldas da Rainha, Alcobaça). Bronze axes have been found in some ancient mines, which, it is believed, served for sinking mine workings; a few ancient developments of cassiterite are also known (the district of Viana do Castelo, etc.). In the Bronze Age, metallurgical production developed in the north of Portugal, the products of which were exported outside the country. Iron comes into use around the 8th-6th centuries. BC. Apparently, local iron ores were used. From the 1st century BC. by 3 in. n. e., when the Iberian Peninsula became one of the provinces of the Roman Empire, the level of mining and the scale of extraction of various minerals increased immeasurably here; The Iberian Peninsula and the territory of Portugal, in particular, became one of the main mining and metallurgical regions of the Roman Empire. The extraction of copper ores took on a particularly wide scope. Besides, in in large numbers limestone and other types of non-metallic building materials were mined. Later 4-6 centuries. AD mining is in decline.

In the 8th-11th centuries. The extraction of precious metals was carried out by the Arabs, and from the 12th century it was continued by the Europeans who conquered these lands. Gold-bearing placers were concentrated in the lower reaches of the Tagus, in the town of Adisa, near Almada. In 1210, King Sancho I donated a tenth of the proceeds from them to the Order of Santiago. Development was carried out here intermittently until the middle of the 17th century. Gold mines were located in the province of Traz-os-Montes, silver and copper - in Alto Alentejo, tin - in the Algarve. The development was carried out by concessionaires or the treasury itself, which owned all the minerals. Portuguese kings in the 14th and 15th centuries contributed to the development of the iron industry, the raw materials for which were extracted from the deposit of the Torri di Moncorvo region, as well as the extraction of lead and copper ores; entrepreneurs were exempted during the first 5 years from paying taxes, which amounted to 1/5 of the production. In 1300, King Dinis I granted concessions for the extraction of sulfur, as well as alum (Vila Nova de Gaia). The production of alum became especially significant in the second half of the 15th and 16th centuries, when the development of a deposit began on the Azores (Sao Miguel Island). In the 16-17 centuries. the extraction of precious metals and ores of lead is in decline due to the influx of these metals from Brazil; at the same time, the iron industry is developing. In the 18th century, English entrepreneurs developed deposits of lead and copper pyrite ores on the Kaima River, gold, iron ore, and a small amount of alum were mined. In 1850, the state privilege for minerals was abolished, the right to extract which was transferred to landowners. The development of Portugal in the 19th century was mainly carried out by foreign concessionaires, in the 80s. the British receive concessions for a number of deposits of lead, copper-sulfide ores and pyrites in the Aljustrel Beja region (the province of Baixo Alentejo). In particular, the Mina di Sant Domingos mine, which was exploited for the purpose of extracting copper by the Phoenicians, produced about 700 thousand tons of copper-bearing pyrites in 1859-66.

Mining. Most of the large mining enterprises are owned by the state. State capital is represented: in the uranium mining industry by the company "Empresa Macional de Uranio" (ENU), in the iron ore industry by the company "Ferrominas S.A.", in the coal mining industry by the company "Empresa Carbonifera do Douro SARL", in the extraction of non-metallic minerals by the company Pirites Alentejanas SARL.

The equipment of mining enterprises is obsolete. It is envisaged to intensify exploration work, strengthen research in the field of field development technology, inventory of mineral resources, and improve mining equipment. These plans are aimed at reducing imports of mineral raw materials and increasing employment.

The main branch of the mining industry is the extraction of tungsten ores and other non-ferrous metals, pyrites, and iron ores (Table 2). By 1980, Portugal operated: 3 mines for the extraction of magnetite, 35 mines for the extraction of non-ferrous metal ores, incl. tin and titanium - 5, tin, titanium and tantalum - 4, tin and tungsten - 6, tungsten and copper - 1, tungsten, tin, copper - 1, gold and silver - 10, as well as about 170 quarries for the extraction of non-metallic minerals (piece stone, clay, sand). In general, there were no significant changes in the volume of production of the mining industry in 1980. However, the production of tin and tungsten increased by 18%, copper - by 40% compared with 1979.

In the structure of the mining industry (1981), the extraction of non-ferrous metal ores accounts for about 34% of the value of the industry's products, non-metallic minerals - about 61%, coal - about 4% and ferrous metal ores - about 1%. The extraction of mineral raw materials more than doubled in value terms between 1975 and 1984.

Coal mining in Portugal began shortly before the 1st World War. Both coal (anthracite) and brown coal deposits were developed. Until the 2nd World War, the total production did not exceed 0.33 million tons. In the post-war period, production first increased (maximum - 0.68 million tons in 1957), and then began to gradually decline and in 1986 amounted to about 0.2 million .t, and in the 70s. mining has been temporarily suspended. In the north-west of the country, the Pezhan mine operates, which was reconstructed in the early 80s (deep shaft). This mine develops two steep-dip seams. In the area of ​​Sant Pedro da Cova, near the city of Oporto, the development of old dumps is underway; the question of building a quarry with an annual capacity of up to 100 thousand tons of coal is being considered. It is planned to resume the extraction of brown coal at the Rio Maior deposit to supply power plants. Portugal imports coal (about 2 million tons in 1986) mainly from the USA (1.6 million tons). An increase in coal consumption is envisaged from 1.4 million tons of standard fuel in 1980 to 4 million tons in 1990 and 12 million tons in 2000, while domestic production should increase only to 0.6 million tons of standard fuel, and demand will be covered through imports.

Uranium ore has been mined in Portugal for over 75 years. Uranium is mined in two ore nodes: Urzheiris and Guarda. All ore goes to the mining and processing plant in Urzheiris with a daily capacity of 155 tons of ore. The production of uranium concentrates is fully controlled by ENU. It is planned to put into operation the "Niza" plant on the basis of deposits in the Alto-Alentejo region with a design capacity of 120-144 tons U per year. Mining is carried out both by open (Niza) and underground (Cunha Baixa, Pinyel do Soto) methods. The production of uranium concentrates in Portugal averages 106 t U per year (1983). In 1980, Portugal exported 120 tons of uranium concentrates, of which 106 tons were delivered to Iraq, the rest to the FRG. In 1981-84, deliveries of uranium concentrates to foreign markets averaged 104 tons per year. Taking into account the construction of nuclear power plants (7-8 million kW by 2000), as well as the needs of importing countries, a significant (2-3 times) increase in U production is expected in the next 20 years.

Iron ore mining. Iron ore deposits have been exploited in Portugal since ancient times, but the extraction was small. The most intensive developments belong to the period 1938-60. Until 1970, iron ore was mined at 4 deposits: Torri di Moncorvo, Orada, Serkal and Maraun; since 1974 - only at the Torri de Moncorvo field. The maximum production was reached in 1950 (0.3 million tons). The extremely low level of production persisted into the 1980s. In total, for the entire period of exploitation of iron ore deposits (1884-1984), about 5 million tons of iron ore were mined in Portugal. Ferrominas, with the participation of the Swedish company Lkab, is completing a feasibility study for the development of the Torri de Moncorvo deposit with a projected mine capacity of 2.8 million tons of ore per year, which corresponds to 1.5 million tons of concentrates with a Fe content of 64% . In the Lisbon area, it is planned to put into operation a plant for the production of 2.3 million tons of iron ore pellets per year. In addition to the modernization of existing mines, the country is conducting searches and exploration of new iron ore deposits.

Extraction of tungsten ores. Portugal is the leading producer of tungsten concentrates in Western Europe; it occupies one of the first places in Europe and the world (without the socialist countries). The development of tungsten ores is carried out by the joint Anglo-Portuguese company "Beralt Tin and Wolfram (Portugal) SARL (BTWP)" mainly at the Panasqueira mines and the Franco-Portuguese company "Minas da Borralha SARL" at the Borralha mine. Along the way, copper and silver are extracted. The mechanization of mining operations at the Panashkeyra mine was carried out; an underground crusher is equipped here and a 1.3 km long conveyor is installed, which delivers crushed ore to the surface. After the completion of the reconstruction of the Panashkeira mine, the annual production of ore should increase to 700-800 thousand tons. Mining is carried out underground. Continuous (80%) and room-and-pillar (20%) systems for the development of ore bodies are used with partial and, in the case of especially rich ore, with complete extraction of pillars. The average ore recovery for the mine is 75%. Tungsten ore concentrates are exported mainly to the common market countries (EEC), the USA and Japan. In 1980, 704 tons (46% of production and production) were exported to the EEC countries, 248 tons (17%) to the USA, and 247 tons (17%) to Japan.

Mining of ores of other non-ferrous metals. Portugal is the largest exporter of pyrite. Upon receipt of pyrite cinders, copper, zinc, lead, tin, silver, and gold are extracted from pyrites. The state plan provides for the modernization and expansion of existing mines (Alzhushtrel, Sines) and the development of new deposits (Nevish-Corvo). As a result of the reconstruction of the Alzhushtrel mine, it is planned to produce 1.2 million tons of pyrite per year, which will ensure the production of sulfur and sulfuric acid. Associated extraction of a number of metals is expected, for which a mining and metallurgical complex will be created. To develop the large polymetallic sulphide deposit Neves-Corvo, the Somincor company was created, 51% of whose capital is controlled by the state, the rest of the capital is distributed among French companies (24.5% each). Opening of the ore body is carried out by a vertical shaft with a diameter of 5 m, a design depth of 700 m, as well as an inclined shaft with a cross section of 17 m 2 and a length of about 5 km. With the commissioning of the first stage of the mine (1986), production amounted to about 1 million tons of copper ore, the second stage (1990) will reach 1 million tons of complex ores per year. On the basis of the mine, it is planned to build a copper smelter with a capacity of 50 thousand tons of copper per year. In addition to copper, it is planned to extract zinc, silver, and lead from ores. in the country, pyrite is exported to the EEC countries - Belgium, the Netherlands, and is also used for the production of sulfuric acid and sulfur.

In 1980, the development of non-metallic minerals was carried out by 352 mining enterprises. The total value of non-metallic minerals mined in Portugal (1980) exceeded 3.6 billion escudos. 406 million tons of piece stone (crystalline limestone, marble, granite, acid porphyry, gabbro, nepheline syenite) were mined for the production of decorative plates and blocks, 1.2 thousand tons of barite, 1200 tons of lepidolite waste rocks in hollows and ravines with tiers not more than 25 m, with berms 10 m wide, slope angles not more than 30° (these activities contribute to the biological stage of reclamation); protection of rivers from pollution and silting as a result of water discharge from quarries and processing plants by creating sedimentation tanks; dust control (use of watering machines and creation of water curtains on the roads); fight against noise and vibrations of the soil during drilling and blasting. Constant monitoring of the level of radiation, chemical reagents, purity of drinking water, fauna and flora of adjacent forests is also carried out.

It is planned to create a special environmental control department for quarries with an annual output of more than 700 thousand tons.

Geological Survey. Scientific institutions. Personnel training. Seal. Geological work in Portugal is carried out by: Geological Survey of Portugal - geological mapping, methodological developments; Mining Development Service - study of the country's mineral resources, incl. prospecting and exploration of new deposits. Exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals are under the jurisdiction of district departments, for example, the District Department of Mining of the Northern Regions.

There is no single scientific coordinating center in Portugal. The state finances research through ministries and special scientific centers. In addition, scientific research is carried out by the Lisbon Academy of Sciences (founded in 1779), the Portuguese Association for the Development of Science, scientific societies and private firms.

The main periodicals in the field of geology and mining: "Publicacgo da Direccgo geral de Minas e" Servicos geologiсos" (1948-52), "Boletin de Minas" (since 1963).

Portugal occupies the Portuguese geographical area Iberian Peninsula with some of its inherent features of landscape unity (Fig. 1). Portugal occupies the western, lowered to Atlantic Ocean, the outskirts of the Mezeta, from the lower reaches of the Minho River in the north to the mouth of the Guadiana River and the Gulf of Cadiz in the south. It is elongated in the meridional direction for 550 km, with an average width of 175 km (an area of ​​89 thousand sq. km). This peripheral area contains the most extensive lowland area of ​​the peninsula, with a predominance of flat and hilly terrain (Portuguese lowland). In the northeast, it is closed by the mountains of the western high edge of the northern part of the Mezeta and is entirely turned to the ocean, being the most coastal country of the Iberian Peninsula.

Figure 1 - Map of continental Portugal (compiled from the source)

The coast of the ocean in Portugal is mainly formed by young faults and normal faults, along the lines of which a vast strip of land sank to the bottom of the sea, as evidenced by the presence underwater valleys. This is a deep underwater canyon north of Cape Carvoeiro, where the lower reaches of the Tagus river previously ran, then deviated to the southwest due to the recent uplift of the coastline in the Serra de Sintra range. The coast of Portugal is an alternation of areas with a differentiated nature of vertical movements - ups and downs. These movements are often accompanied by seismic shaking. In the modern geological era, subsidence plays a predominant role in most of the coast, which in some places has led to the penetration of the sea into the mouths of river valleys. Thanks to this, Portugal has a number of convenient natural harbors in estuary bays, among which the harbor of Lisbon is especially remarkable.

A large line of faults and faults, sharply expressed in the relief, is limited within Portugal by a more elevated band of the edge of the ancient Mezeta massif, composed of granites, gneisses, shales and quartzites. This is most clearly seen in the northern part of the country, from the Duro River to the Tagus River, where the mountainous region of the Mezeta edge rises above the low or hilly coastal strip. Max Height in the mountainous region it reaches the Serra da Estrela granite range (up to 1990 m), which can be considered as the western tip of the Cordillera Central of Spain. From the place where this massif ends with a steep fault slope, the low Serra de Sintra ridge (up to 677 m) extends to the southwest, up to the seashore. This ridge is composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones, subjected to folding and faults, with outcrops of volcanic rocks and granites. Significant development of karst forms is typical for this region. The Setúbal Peninsula with the Serra de Arrábida, which closes the mouth of the Tagus, has a similar structure to the south of Lisbon.

Southern Portugal is lowland for most of its length, which is how it differs from the north of the country, with a predominance of mountainous terrain. To the south of the lower reaches of the Tagus stretch vast plains, composed of loose Miocene and Pliocene lagoon and lacustrine deposits and crossed by the Sorraya and Sadu rivers. To the east of them stands the crystalline and Paleozoic peneplain of the Mezeta in the form of a low wavy plateau with separate ridges, distinguished by erosion along the strike of ancient folding (northwest - southeast).

In the extreme south, in the Algarve region, the area is entirely composed of coal shales and sandstones and is elevated in a shield-like manner, constituting the western extremity of the Spanish Sierra Morena zone. Here the Serra de Monchique range of the same rocks stretches in the latitudinal direction, with the main peaks of Foya (902 m) and Picota (774 m), which are laccoliths. The southern slope of Sera is limited by a fault, turning into a hilly zone south coast countries - Barrocal, composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones, marls and sandstones. At the foot of the hills stretches a strip of raised sandy ancient beach with dunes and lagoons. At present, the shore shows signs of subsidence here as well.

Thus, it can be concluded that the relief of Portugal is very differentiated in different parts of the country. It is also worth noting that in this small country there is a great variety of scenery, which attracts many tourists. The mountain landscape contributes to the development of sports, medical and ecological tourism.

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The name of the country comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Cale at the mouth of the Douro River.

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Capital - Lisbon The area, together with the islands, is 92 thousand square meters. km. Portugal includes the Azores and the Madeira archipelago

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From the south and west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. It borders with Spain in the north and east

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Egp change over time

advantageous position Portugal at the crossroads of the most important sea routes, played a particularly important role in the development of the country in the era of the great geographical discoveries. The borders of Portugal have not changed for more than eight centuries. Among European countries, this is an absolute record. Today Portugal is a developed maritime state, known for its resorts and beaches.

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Form of government - republic Form of administrative-territorial structure: Portugal is divided into 22 districts Population - 10,707,924 people. Official language - Portuguese

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Population

90% are Portuguese. Per 1000 inhabitants, the birth rate is about 11 and the death rate is 10. Natural population growth is partly offset by emigration Type of reproduction modern

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Lisbon and Porto are the largest agglomerations of Portugal

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About 70% of the country's population is concentrated in the coastal zone. The urban population predominates. The most typical for Portugal are small towns with a population of no more than 10 thousand people.

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The main flow of immigrants from Brazil, from the Cape Verde Islands, Ukraine, etc. The flow of emigrants to European countries (France, Germany, etc.), the USA, Canada Gender composition: 924 women per 1000 men

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Natural resources

Uranium, pyrite, copper, tungsten and cork oak are the main natural resources of Portugal

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Iron ore tungsten

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forest resources

play a significant role in the Portuguese economy. Valuable species are pine and cork oak. Portugal annually produces more raw cork oak than the rest of the world. Eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are the main source of raw materials for pulp production.

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natural conditions

Portugal is located in the subtropical zone. However, since it occupies the most western edge Iberian Peninsula, its Mediterranean climate is noticeably softened by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean.

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Water resources

The hydropower potential is not very large. Extensive coastline. Fisheries are highly developed.

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Agro-climatic conditions

Portugal is located in the subtropical zone. The soils of Portugal are mostly sandy, acidic, formed on volcanic rocks.

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Recreational resources

Tourism is developed. The main tourism regions are Lisbon, Algarve and Madeira

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Industry

The basis of the Portuguese industry is the manufacturing industry. Most of it is concentrated in the mountainous regions of Northern Portugal. Tin ores are processed in the northeast of the country. The main area for the extraction of uranium ores is concentrated near the city of Viseu.

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mechanical engineering textiles