Porto

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The city, whose name literally means port, is the second largest city in Portugal and is located in the north-west of the country on the banks of the Douro River, around 100 kilometres from the Atlantic coast. Together with Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank of the Douro, it forms the core of the Porto metropolitan region with 1.76 million inhabitants and is the economic and cultural centre of northern Portugal as well as the country's second largest agglomeration. The historic centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Primarily a trading port since the Roman occupation, Porto developed into one of the most important European trading metropolises during the age of European expansion. While this importance waned with the decline of the Portuguese colonial empire, Porto has remained the economic and industrial centre of Portugal to this day.

It is named after and famous for its port wine, which is shipped from the wine-growing region to Porto, stored in neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia and exported from Porto all over the world. In 2001, Porto was the European Capital of Culture. The city is known for its impressive architecture, including the famous Dom Luís I bridge, and its historic centre, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the centuries, Porto developed into an important trading centre, particularly for the export of the world-famous port wine. The city also played an important role in Portuguese history, particularly during the wars of independence and industrialisation in the 19th century. Primarily a trading port since the Roman occupation, Porto developed into one of the most important European trading metropolises during the age of European expansion. While this importance waned with the decline of the Portuguese colonial empire, Porto has remained the economic and industrial centre of Portugal to this day.