Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. About 575,739 people live there. It is the westernmost capital city in Europe. Lisbon sits along the northern shore of the River Tagus on the Iberian Peninsula.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its history goes back to prehistoric times. Many groups have lived there, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Germanic tribes, Moors, and others.

Since 1255, Lisbon has been very important to Portugal. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Important government buildings are there, such as the Assembly of the Republic and the Supreme Court of Justice. Many diplomats also work in Lisbon. The area around Lisbon has about 3 million people. It is a big urban center in the European Union.

Today, Lisbon is known as an alpha-level global city. It plays a big role in finance, commerce, arts, and tourism. The city has a strong economy and attracts many visitors. People come to see its history, culture, and beautiful setting along the Atlantic coast.

Etymology

The exact origin of Lisbon's name is unknown. Some think it comes from old names like Olisippo, used by people such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. Famous writers like Strabo, Solinus, and Martianus Capella shared stories about the city being founded by the hero Ulysses, also known as Odysseus. Others think the name might mean "safe harbour" in an old Phoenician language, but this idea is not proven.

Today, people often call Lisbon "LX" or "Lx", based on an old spelling of the city's name. Even though this spelling is not used anymore, the abbreviation is still popular.

History

Main article: History of Lisbon

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Lisbon

Origins

In ancient times, many early groups lived around Lisbon. They built special stone circles and standing stones that we can still see today near the city.

Later, people from central Europe arrived and mixed with the local people, forming new communities.

The city's location by the Tagus River made it a great place for trading. Even thousands of years ago, people traded valuable items like metals, salt, fish, and horses with others far away.

Roman era

Main article: Olisipo

When the Romans arrived, they made Lisbon an important city called Olissipo. They built theaters, baths, temples, and many other buildings. The city became rich from trade, especially with places like Britain and along the Rhine River. Olissipo was known for its fish sauce, wine, and horses. It was also an early center for Christianity in Europe.

Middle Ages

After the Romans left, many different groups ruled Lisbon, including Germans, Arabs, and others. The Arabs built mosques and homes and added their own style to the city. In the 12th century, Portuguese leaders took control, making Lisbon the capital of Portugal in 1255. This was a time of great growth for the city as it became a key trading center.

Early Modern

Lisbon became a hub for explorers during the Age of Discovery. Famous voyages started here, and the city grew very rich from trade with Africa, India, and Brazil. Beautiful buildings from this time still stand today.

Modern era

In the 1700s, a huge earthquake shook Lisbon, destroying much of the city. It was rebuilt with new plans that made it safer and more organized. Later, Lisbon saw many changes as Portugal went through different governments and wars.

Contemporary

In recent years, Lisbon has become a popular place for international events and visitors. The city has renovated old areas and built new structures, making it a vibrant place to live and visit. It continues to be an important city in Europe.

Geography

Lisbon is where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is the westernmost capital city in mainland Europe. The city sits on the northern shore of the river and covers about 100 square kilometers.

Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures are around 14°C and summer temperatures can reach 30°C. The city gets rain mostly in autumn and winter and has plenty of sunshine. The nearby Atlantic Ocean helps shape the city's weather.

Lisbon is divided into 24 areas called freguesias. Neighborhoods like Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Belém each have their own special charm. These areas are famous for their narrow streets, old buildings, and unique traditions.

Politics

See also: List of mayors of Lisbon

Carlos Moedas (PSD) has been the Mayor of Lisbon since 2021. He was elected again in 2025 for another term.

Culture

See also: Tourism in Lisbon

Lisbon is a city with beautiful architecture. You can see buildings from many styles, like Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern, and Postmodern. There are wide boulevards and important monuments, especially in the higher parts of the city.

The city has many famous museums and art collections. Two of the most popular are the National Museum of Ancient Art, which has a very large art collection, and the National Coach Museum, which has the world's biggest collection of royal coaches and carriages. Lisbon also has other interesting museums, like the National Museum of Archaeology, the Museum of Lisbon, and the Gulbenkian Museum, which is run by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Lisbon has beautiful parks, such as Edward VII Park, with many flowering plants and green spaces. The city has special events and festivals throughout the year, including film festivals, a book fair, and a magic festival.

Lisbon has two important places listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. The city is also known for its beautiful azulejo tile art and Portuguese pavement designs.

Demographics

Lisbon has grown a lot over the years. In 1300, about 35,000 people lived there. By 1500, the number grew to around 70,000. Today, Lisbon has about 575,739 people in the city center. The city is only about 100 square kilometers, so it is very busy with many people living close together.

The area around Lisbon, called the Lisbon metropolitan area, has almost 3 million people. This area includes two parts: Greater Lisbon on one side of the Tagus River and the Setúbal Peninsula on the other side. Many people in Lisbon practice Roman Catholicism, and there are also people who follow other religions or no religion at all. In recent years, Lisbon has welcome people from other countries, especially from Brazil.

Economy

The Lisbon region is the richest part of Portugal, making more than one-third of the country's goods and services. People in Lisbon earn more money than the average in the European Union.

Lisbon's economy is mostly based on services. Many large companies have offices in the city. It is also an important port and a growing center for technology and finance. Tourism is very important, with millions of visitors each year. Even with growth, some people in Lisbon still have trouble with wages and costs.

Transport

The Lisbon Metro is a fast way to move around the city. It connects the center to places like Amadora and Loures. The metro has four lines: blue, yellow, green, and red. It has 56 stations and covers 44.2 km. Trams are also popular, especially in the old parts of the city. These small, yellow trams help people travel on the narrow, hilly streets.

There are buses, trains, and big bridges like the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Vasco da Gama Bridge. These make it easy to cross the River Tagus. The city has many bike paths and a bike hire system called Gira. This system includes electric bikes to help with the hills. Lisbon’s main airport is Humberto Delgado Airport. It is used by many travelers and is a center for several airlines.

Education

Lisbon has many schools for children and students from around the world. In areas like the Portuguese Riviera, you can find international schools such as the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, Saint Julian's School, and the Lycée Français Charles Lepierre. These schools teach in different languages and styles.

The city is also home to several universities and colleges. The University of Lisbon is the largest, formed in 2013 by joining two older universities. The New University of Lisbon, founded in 1973, is known for its Nova School of Business and Economics. Lisbon also has private universities like the Portuguese Catholic University and Universidade Lusófona.

Lisbon has important libraries too. The Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal is the national library, with many books and old documents. The Torre do Tombo is the national archive, one of the oldest and most important archives in the world.

Sports

Lisbon is a great city for sports and has hosted many important events. The city held the final of the UEFA Euro 2004 and other big competitions like the 2001 IAAF World Indoor Championships, the European Fencing Championships, the 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, and the 2008 European Judo Championships. Lisbon has also been a starting point for the Dakar Rally and hosted the UEFA Champions League finals.

Football is very popular in Lisbon. Three top clubs play there: Sport Lisboa e Benfica (called Benfica), Sporting Clube de Portugal (called Sporting), and C.F. Os Belenenses (called Belenenses). Benfica and Sporting have big stadiums, the Estádio da Luz and Estádio José Alvalade, where important football games are played. Many people in Lisbon also enjoy basketball, futsal, handball, roller hockey, rugby union, and volleyball. The city holds running events like the Lisbon Half Marathon every March.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Portugal

Lisbon has many friends around the world. It is twinned with cities like Bissau in Guinea-Bissau, Budapest in Hungary, Fortaleza in Brazil, and Madrid in Spain. These partnerships help the cities work together and share ideas.

Lisbon also works with other cities through cooperation agreements. Some of these friends include Algiers in Algeria, Asunción in Paraguay, Bangkok in Thailand, and Beijing in China. These agreements help cities support each other.

Lisbon is also a member of important groups. It joined the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities in 1982 and the Union of Capital Cities of Portuguese Language in 1985. These groups bring together cities that speak Portuguese or are connected through the Iberian Peninsula.