Education

Education in Portugal is regulated by the State through two ministries - the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. There are a system of public education and also many private schools at all levels of education. The first Portuguese medieval universities were created in the 13th century, and the national higher education system is fully integrated into the European Higher Education Area. The literacy rate of Portuguese population is 93%.



Economy

The Economy of Portugal is a market economy. The Global Competitiveness Report for 2005, published by the World Economic Forum, places Portugal on the 22nd position, ahead of countries and territories like Spain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Hong Kong and Turkey. On the Technology index, Portugal was ranked 20th and on the Public Institutions index Portugal is the 15th best.

The major industries include: oil refineries, petrochemistry, cement production, automotive and ship industries, electrical and electronics industries, machinery, pulp and paper industry, injection moulding, textile, footwear, leather, furniture, ceramics, beverages and food industry and cork (world's largest producer). Manufacturing accounts for 33% of exports. Portugal is the world's fifth-largest producer of tungsten, and the world's eighth-largest producer of wine.

The tertiary sector has grown, producing 66% of the GDP and providing jobs for 52% of the working population. The most significant growth rates are found in the trade sector, due to the introduction of modern means of distribution, transport and telecommunications. Financial tertiary have benefited from privatisation, also gaining in terms of efficiency. Tourism has developed significantly and generates approximately 5% of the wealth produced in Portugal.

Most imports come from the European Union countries of Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Most exports also go to other European Union member states.

Although being very high by world's average standards, Portugal's GDP per capita is among the lowest in Western Europe. However, research about standard of living by the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Quality-of-life Survey places Portugal as the country with the 19th-best quality of life in the world, ahead of other economically and technologically advanced countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea.

In April 2007, The Economist described Portugal as "a new sick man of Europe".During the same year, the unemployment rate in Portugal reached 8.4% - a two decades record high.



Climate

Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain. However refreshing sea breezes make for pleasant conditions. Winters are cold and wet, particularly in the northern and west coast regions. Spring and autumn are good times to visit with cheaper rates at hotels and less crowded beaches, restaurants and golf courses.

Lisbon has a warm climate, with sunny spring and summer days when temperatures frequently reach 85ºF (30ºC) or above. Winters are wet and windy, temperatures averaging around 50ºF (10ºC).



List of Universities in PORTUGAL

• Escola Superior de Educação de Setúbal

• Instituto Politecnico do Porto

• Instituto Superior de Ciencias do Trabalho e da Empresa

• Instituto Superior de Transportes

• Univerdade Nova de Lisboa

• Universidade Católica Portuguesa

• Universidade Portucalense

• Universidade Técnica de Lisboa

• Universidade da Beira Interior

• Universidade da Madeira

• Universidade de Évora

• Universidade de Aveiro

• Universidade de Coimbra

• Universidade de Lisboa

• Universidade do Algarve

• Universidade do Minho

• Universidade do Porto

• Universidade dos Açores