Lisbon Tram

Lovely tram postcard from Paula/Geminiscp/.It is showing a Lisbon tram.Tram numebr 28 .

The most unique way to explore Lisbon is by its yellow traditional trams. This method of public transport in Portugal has become one of the most appealing attractions in the city. The tram 28, considered a national treasure, takes you on a tour by a selection of old Lisbon's sights, past historic buildings and traditional housing. Inaugurated in 1914, between Largo Camões andEstrela, the tram 28 route has been successively extended over the years.

In fact, Tram 28 covers the most picturesque route in Lisbon. It runs from Largo Martim Moniz to Prazeres, via the Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, São Bento and Estrela.

Leaving Martim Moniz, the tram 28 continues through a labyrinth of narrow streets. DiscoverMouraria and Alfama and while you are there, go and see the Miradouro da Graça which boasts fantastic views of the city. Continuing the route along Tram 28 will take you to theRoyal Pantheon, São Vincente de Fora Church, one of the most imposing and notable religious monuments in the city, and the famous Feira da Ladra. It is held from Tuesday to Saturday and is one of the most popular in Lisbon. The Tram continues its route to Largo Portas do Sol, Miradouro de Santa Luzia with its traditional mosaic and the Sé Cathedral.

28 continues is route to Chiado quarter and Largo Luis de Camões until S. Bento. Running upLisbon's hills, the tram 28 arrives to Estrela. Facing the gardens is the Basílica da Estrela, in late baroque and neo-classical style. Taking the streets Domingos Sequeira and Saraiva de Carvalho the tram finally arrives at Campo de Ourique right next to the final resting place of the famous, the Cemitério dos Prazeres (Prazeres Cemetery).

There are many choices amongst the 35 stops of tram 28 for places to get off and discover the Lisbon's heritage.( copy paste from http://blog.apartment-in-lisbon.com/lisbon-tram-28)

Portugal

Portugal is a very beautiful country, isn't?

Portugal is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Penisula. Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.

4th Portugese meeting

Azores

The Azores (pronounced "AY-zorz" or "uh-ZORZ"; Portuguese: Açores) is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km (930 mi) from Lisbonand about 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the east coast of North America. The Monchique Islet onFlores Island, located at 31° 16' 24" W is regarded as the westernmost point in Europe, even though from a geographical standpoint, the two westernmost Azorean islands (Flores and Corvo) actually lie on the North American plate. The current Azores' main industries are tourism, cattle raising for milk and meat, and fishing.

The nine major Azorean islands and the eight small Formigas extend for more than 600 km (373 mi) and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. The vast extent of the islands defines an immense exclusive economic zone of 1,100,000 km² (420,000 sq mi). The westernmost point of this area is 3,380 km (2,100 mi) from the North American continent. All of the islands havevolcanic origins, although Santa Maria also has some reef contribution. Mount Pico on Pico Island, at 2,351 m (7,713 ft) in altitude, is the highest in all of Portugal. The Azores are actually the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean. The archipelago forms the Autonomous Region of Azores, one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal.

Because these once uninhabited, remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of two centuries, their culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions vary considerably from island to island. Farming and fishing are key industries that support the Azorean economy.

The islands were known in the fourteenth century and parts of them can be seen, for example, in the Atlas Catalan. In 1427, one of the captains sailing forHenry the Navigator, possibly Gonçalo Velho, rediscovered the Azores, but this is not certain. A History of the Azores by Thomas Ashe written in 1813 marks the discovery by Joshua Vander Berg of Bruges in Flanders. Vander Berg was said to have landed there during a storm on his way toLisbon. Ashe then claims that the Portuguese left to explore the area and claim it for Portugal shortly after.Although it is commonly said that the archipelago is named after the goshawk (Açor in Portuguese) because it was supposed to be a common bird at the time of discovery, in fact the bird never existed on the islands. Most, however, insist that the name is derived from birds, pointing to a local subspecies of the buzzard (Buteo buteo), as the animal the first explorers erroneously identified as goshawks. The name may also derive from the word Azure, meaning blue color, Italian, which is the color the Islands appear to be from the distance, at sea.

Serra de Estrela dog

From Marthina,Portugal.
Thank you my dear ,Marta:)

Serra da Estrela (English: Mountain Range of the Star) is the highest mountain range in Portugal and includes mainland Portugal's highest point (the summit of the Pico mountain in the Portuguese Azores islands is higher, however). The range is at 1,993 m (6,539 feet) above mean sea level at its highest point. This point is not a distinctive mountain summit, but rather the highest point in a plateau, being known as Torre ("Tower" in English). The Torre has the unusual feature of being a summit that is accessible by paved road.

The mountain range, situated between the municipalities of Seia, Manteigas,Gouveia, Guarda and Covilha , is about 100 km (62.13 miles) long and is 30 km (18.64 miles) at its widest point. It is formed from a huge granite ridge that once formed the southern frontier of the country. Due to its bizarrely shaped crags and gorges, mountain streams and lakes, beautiful forests and magnificent views, the area ranks among Portugal’s outstanding scenic attractions.