Tourism
Tourism industry is an integral and contributing segment, necessary for the economic development of the country and ensures a 5% contribution of the overall national GDP. Every year, around a dozen million of tourists pay the country a visit. The most popular regions of the country most frequented by tourists include Madeira, Algarve, Azores Islands, Alentejo, Lisbon, Northern Portugal and Porto. The different interesting sites like architectural monuments and fascinating beaches, serve as the main attractive features for tourists, visiting from Europe and overseas.
Mining Industry
The mining industry is majorly linked and characterised with the coal extraction activity and the drawing out of different metals, like chromium, tin and tungsten. The chief portion of coal is extracted in Moncorvo, which is then transported to a locally situated steel plant. The mining of copper is a significantly important activity and extraction is done in Neves-Corvo, which has the distinction to be one of the largest coloured metal mines in the whole of Western Europe, which is about 100 km from Faro.
Fuel Industry
Portugal is a republic which is lacking in gas and oil deposits, a fact which has become the major reason for the dependence of the country for importing the fuels, transporting them to the largest refinery which is located in the second biggest city of the country, Porto.
Energy Supply Industry
Energy production in the hydroelectric power stations is the main feature of the energy supply sector of the republic. But other alternative sources of energy are currently being developed by Portugal. As there were highly favorable conditions to explore the opportunity of a solar energy production project, Serpa was chosen as the location for a solar plant. Additionally, Pinhal was also selected for a wind energy power station. The latest national projects are also focused on the development of wave stations in the country.
Wood Carving Industry
The national export of the country derives a significant contribution from the wood carving industry, because the territory of the republic is rich in forest resources, with around one third of the entire land being covered with them. Portugal enjoys the distinction of being the world leader for cork tree supply, marking it as one of the republic’s notable industrial achievements. Paper production and cellulose is mainly generated from eucalyptus and pine trees, which were formerly exported from the country of Australia.
Textile Industry
Compared with all the other industries, textile is the leader, particularly in the north of the country. Braga and Porto are the acclaimed clothes, textile and shoes manufacturers and serve as the main hub of all such activity in the area.
Food/Wine
Portugal is renowned for its tomato paste and wines, and offers an impressive consumer good production segment and foodstuff industry. Algarve as well as Setubal Peninsula, which are located south to Lisbon and in the valleys of the Portugal rivers, are some of the most significant viticulture regions in the area. Portugal is famous worldwide for its port wines, rose table and dessert wines, along with Muscat.
Agriculture
The agricultural sector of the country is underdeveloped and thought to be backward compared with other countries in Europe. It is developed with the use of small investments, low mechanisation opportunities and the limited employment of various fertile land properties. The main agricultural products are corn, olives, wheat and tomatoes, which feature as the major cultivations of the country. As Portugal has the benefit of a long coastline, it easily enjoys a budding fishing industry which offers cod, anchovies, tuna and sardines. Portimao, Setubal and Matosinhos are the major fishing ports of the country.
