The Economy
In
contrast to most European powers, Portugal's economy is one that actually
contributes to its attractiveness for tourists, since it is mainly
agricultural, and a very picturesque type of agriculture is practiced here.
In
the section on "The Land" we have described the agricultural look of
Portugal, with its abundant vines, cork trees, etc. To understand the economic
significance of this pastoral beauty, one need only hear that this tiny country
is the sixth largest wine producing country in the world, with an annual
production of 532,000 imperial gallons, and the largest cork producer in the
world, with cork making up 16 per cent of the annual export product.
In
the matter of wine, everyone knows of the famous Port Wine. Yet this type accounts
for only about 4 per cent of the total wines produced, and some of the other
types, especially the very fine Dao wines and the friendly Rose wines, are only
recently being recognized for their virtues.
This
is a branch of Portuguese agriculture that seems to hold much promise.
Grains
are raised extensively, with wheat the most heavily cultivated, and the
Alentejo Province leading in production. The north is more equitable for the
production of corn, and the tonnage of rice produced in the alluvial plains is
also considerable.
Among
producers of olive oil, Portugal ranks sixth, exporting a great deal to
England. Other tree fruits are growing annually in production, and vegetables
are of extremely high quality.
All
together, there are about 14 million acres under cultivation of some kind. This
is about 65 per cent of the country's total area. Fully 40 per cent of the
population is engaged in agriculture, with more engaged in linked enterprises,
such as canning, or cork processing.
We
mentioned that this branch of the economy is a touristic attraction, and this
goes beyond the fact that farms and forests are more pleasing to the senses
than factories and strip mines.
Because
of the traditional nature of Portuguese farming, there is much folklore woven into
their work. Such events as the grape harvests, the corn shucking parties, the
treading of the vintage, are occasions for festivity, singing, dancing and
general gaiety. The tourist is well advised to seek out such activities, if he
is on hand during the proper season.
Linked
with agriculture is the farming of the sea, long a mainstay of the national
economy. The Portuguese eat much more fish than they do meat, with the most
popular variety, dried and salted cod.
One
of the most interesting sights for the tourist in Portugal is the auctioning
off of the catch each evening as the boats come in. In the fish markets of each
coastal town he can see varieties being sold he probably didn't know existed,
and in quantities that testify to the importance of this healthy food.
Most
of the manufacturing industry in the country is centered either at Lisbon or
Oporto, and recent years have seen great strides toward modernization. There
are two large oil refineries and a nitrate fertilizer plant near Lisbon, in
addition to many smaller scale factories and shops. The country specializes,
however, in canning (fish, fruit and vegetables) and cork processing.
The
biggest mining is that of copper, tungsten and tin. Marble quarrying is
important in Alentejo Province.
Portugal,
with its colonies, is a trading nation with a large merchant fleet of 150
ships.
Contributing
greatly to the country's income is tourism.