Portugal produces more cars per capita than China

This is a mind-blowing stat.

Although China is by far the greatest car manufacturer country in the world with 13,9 million cars produced in 2010, Portugal produced more cars per capita than China.

In 2010 were produced 0,011 cars per each Portuguese resident and were produced 0,010 cars per each Chinese resident.

If Portugal had the same population than China and this stats remained unchanged, Portugal would have produced 14,7 million cars, instead of 115 thousand cars.



Stats Source: Nationmaster

Portugal had more tourists than Brazil in 2012

This is a surprising result, because Brazil has an area which is 92 times bigger than Portugal.

In 2012, Portugal had 7,6 million tourists, which is not even close than the world tourism country leader (France) which received 83 million tourists in the same year.

However, although its size, Brazil had only 5,6 million tourists in 2012.

The Brazil tourism performance will certainly increase in 2014 with the Football (Soccer) World Cup and in 2016, with the Rio Olympic Games.

Source: UNWTO

Size matters?

Check these interesting stats about the biggest countries in the world and find out for yourself.

Top countries by land area:
1st – Russia
2nd – Canada
3rd – USA
4th – China
5th - Brazil
…
105th – Portugal

Top countries by population:
1st – China
2nd – India
3rd – USA
4th – Indonesia
5th – Brazil
…
76th – Portugal

Top countries by population density:
1st – Monaco
2nd – Singapore
3rd – Malta
4th – Maldives
5th – Bahrain
…
65th – Portugal

Top countries by GDP per capita in 2012 (IMF):
1st – Qatar
2nd – Luxembourg
3rd – Singapore
4th – Norway
5th – Brunei
…
45th - Portugal

What Nagasaki and Portugal have in common?

Nagasaki is still an important port in Japan and a major shipyard facility in the world, with a huge economic impact in the region.

After being devastated in the World War II, by the second and last atomic bomb dropped in the war, mainly because this city also hosted a major naval base of Japan, Nagasaki became prosper again and also became a strong example of perseverance and peace in the world.

So, what Nagasaki and Portugal have in common?

Nagasaki was founded by Portuguese sailors in the second half of the 16th century and Portuguese influence was strong until the 19th century.


Examples of Portuguese influence in Japanese culture:

Japanese Rōmaji	Japanese Script	Portuguese	Meaning in English
bīdoro	ビードロ	vidro	glass
bōro	ボーロ / ぼうろ	bolo	cake
botan	ボタン / 釦 / 鈕	botão	button
furasuko	フラスコ	frasco	flask
iesu or iezusu	イエス, イエズス	Jesus	Jesus
jōro	じょうろ / 如雨露	jarro	watering can
kandeya	カンデヤ	candeia	oil lamp
kapitan	甲比丹 / 甲必丹	capitão	captain
kappa	合羽	capa	raincoat
kirishitan	キリシタン / 切支丹 / 吉利支丹	cristão	Christian people
kirisuto	キリスト / 基督	Cristo	Christ
koppu	コップ	copo	cup
kurusu	クルス	cruz	cross
kyarameru	キャラメル / カラメル	caramelo	caramel
manto	マント	manto	cloak
pan	パン	pão	bread
rozario	ロザリオ	rosário	rosary
sabato	サバト	sábado	Saturday
shabon	シャボン	sabão	soap
tabako	タバコ / 煙草	tabaco	tobacco, cigarette
tempura	天麩羅 / 天婦羅	têmporas	deep-fried seafood/vegetables. "Têmporas"meant fasting in religious days which catholic portuguese didn't eat meat and instead, ate fried vegetables and fish.

More info regarding Portuguese words vs. Japanese pronunciation origin in this link

Portugal +1,1% vs. Eurozone +0,3%

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Portugal expanded 1,1% in the second quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter.

This value was much higher than the Eurozone average (0,3%) and impressive when compared with another countries of the Eurozone:

Germany: +0,7%
Greece: -4,6%
Netherlands: -0,2%
Ireland: -0,6%
Spain: -0,1%
France: +0,5%
Italy: -0,2%

So, although it's too soon to claim that Portugal GDP is back on track, it's great news for Portugal.
 

Japan Debt reached 200% of their annual GDP

On June 30th of 2013, Japan Debt reached Yen 1.000 trillion (around USD $ 10,46 trillion).

This impressive value is now larger than the economies of Germany, France and the U.K. combined.

Analysts are apprehensive with current Japan trend and are expected new taxes from Japan government to balance Japan deficit.

To understand how serious is this 200% value (public debt as % of GDP of Japan) compare it with south of Europe countries and Ireland which are under great pressure from IMF and rating agencies:

. Greece – 158% (2012)
. Italy – 126% (2012)
. Ireland – 118% (2012)
. Portugal – 115% (2012)
. Spain – 85% (2012)

Simply Sintra - The Guardian article

"Sintra is often described as a Disneyland for grown-ups, but spend time exploring the surrounding beaches, seafood restaurants and woodlands, and you'll find there's much more to this historic town."

Click here to read The Guardian full article about Sintra (Portugal)

 

Portugal named one of the top 5 destinations for a family summer holiday

Check out Portugal review at "iWantsun.co.uk":

"Portugal, a favourite family holiday destination for years is still top the list, providing interesting culture, stunning beaches, gorgeous architecture, delicious cuisine and most importantly, good value for money.

According to the Holiday Costs Barometer, Portugal is the 7th cheapest destination for popular holiday items. Resort prices in Portugal have also plummeted by 15% this year compared to last, meaning you’ll get great bang for your buck too.

Besides the popular Algarve resorts, why not head north and try the beautiful historic city of Sintra near Lisbon and Porto in the north of the country?"

learn more at: http://www.iwantsun.co.uk/family-holidays/2013/05/07/top-five-destinations-for-a-family-summer-holiday-2013
 

Learn more about Portugal potential

7 more years to Portugal

The Eurogroup gave more seven years to Portugal repay their loan.

In the short term is a good news for Portugal, because the annual repayment value of the loan will be reduced, but in the medium term this means that the value of accumulated accrued interest will be higher, so the loan will become more expensive.

So, although it is good news because it reduces the immediate pressure over the national budget, it is not something to celebrate.

What would be the immediate consequences if Portugal decide to leave the Euro?

At the day of that decision, it is expected that all financial transactions in Portugal would be suspended including deposits retrievals, except of small amounts for daily needs.

The new Portuguese currency would suffer an immediate devaluation, comparing with the Euro or Dollar, which means that the Portuguese workers’ salaries would also suffer a real devaluation.

Therefore the living cost in Portugal would increase a lot in just 24 hours.

The new reality will generate some chaos because many people, would run to stores as fast as possible to buy everything they can, trying to avoid the huge price inflation expected in result of their country leaving the Eurozone.

The decision of leaving the Eurozone will generate social unrest and can even occur some riots.

This outcome is expected if this decision is made in countries as Portugal, Spain or Greece due to their current financial situation, and this opinion is shared among many economists.