Did you know that?

Portuguese is spoken by more than 200 million people distributed across every continent: Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. This diversity has contributed to the forging of deep historical and cultural ties between Portugal and the rest of the world. Portuguese is the fifth most spoken language in the world and the sixth most used on the internet.

Rome has more Portuguese churches than some of our own cities.

Paris has the second highest number of Portuguese nationals of any city in the world.

The mariner's astrolabe was invented by the Portuguese.

The Portuguese invented the cannon.

The Portuguese invented the lateen (a triangular sail).

Salted cod and pastel de nata (custard tart) are Portuguese inventions.

The pre-paid card for mobile phones is a Portuguese invention.

Via Verde (Green Lane), an electronic toll collection system, is a Portuguese invention.

There are more Portuguese nationals living outside Portugal than in Portugal.

The rifle was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese.

Portugal was one of the first countries to abolish slavery in 1751.

Portugal was the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty.

Napoleon tried and failed to conquer Portugal three times.

The first queen to partake of five-o'clock tea was Portuguese: Catherine of Bragança.

The real Casino Royale is located in Cascais.

Ambassador Aristides de Sousa Mendes saved more Jews than Oscar Schindler.

We and the Spanish divided* the world into two, but we kept the best part – Brazil. (* the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494).

The cod used in Portugal's most traditional dish, Bacalhau, is caught 4,000 km away in Norway.

Tempura was invented by the Portuguese.

The Portuguese brought chilli to India; without the Portuguese, curry would not exist.

Portugal is the only European country that has yet to host the Eurovision festival.

Portugal is the only country that has taken an amateur team all the way to the world ruby championships.

Portugal occupied Macau, China for 446 years.