The Iberian Peninsula got its name from the River Ebro, the most northern River in Spain, which was known as the Iberus centuries before Christ, and was the border for a long time.

From 5000 to 1000 BC the Iberians lived more or less in peace. Portugal was good to live, because of the sea surrounding the country, the rivers for water and fish, the fertile ground for food and the nice climate.

1000 BC the Celts (Guarda, Cossourado, Citânia de Briteiros) invaded from the north and mixed with the native population. This group separates in two people. One the Lusitanies between the rivers the Douro e Tejo, the other the Galician people between the Douro and Bay of Biscay. They built socalled Castros (Castro Laboreira), houses on the hills, which were constructed of loose stones and grass roofs.

In the 3rd century BC the Romans invaded. They had a tough time conquering the Lusitaniers, but finally did. The Romans set up a legal and economical system. They traded in olive oil, grain and wine, also for the export. The houses were built with bricks and roof tiles (these days used as decorative dish) and no longer constructed on top of the hills, but next to the rivers where the earth was more fertile (Ponte de Lima, Citânia de Briteiros). The Lusitaniërs changed their language into Latin, the Galicians fully retained their own language.

In the 5th century the Germanic tribes took over from the Romans. The justice system was swapped for a religious hierarchy.

In the 7th century the Germanic tribe West Goths, who were the leading people made the nobility (intelectuals) the most powerful people, next to the Church. The poor people, through donations, made the Church into the greatest economical and political power. There is a king ruling the area (now known as Castilië, Galicië and Portugal).

In the 8th century the Moors invaded the Peninsula. They were Islamic, but believed in freedom of religion. Jews, Christians and Muslims lived peaceful side by side. The language was Arabic. Influences can still be seen in words as Algarve, Alfama, alface, laranja, limão and zero. They iniciated an irrigation system and drinking places along the roads, because every traveler should have access to fresh water free of charge.

The North (North Castilië, Galicië and the North of Portugal till the Douro) was reconquered quite fast by King Afonso. He was helped by French Crusaders. In 868, with the intake of the port of Portucale (Vila Nova de Gaia), he paid the 2 French leaders, Henrique and Raimundo, by letting them marry his daughters. Henrique reigned, more or less independant the area around Portucale (nowadays known as the North of Portugal). He established a Board of noble men, who ignored more or less the Royal House. Henrique expanded his area to the South till Coimbra and called Guimarães the first capital of Portugal.

In 1179 his descendants pushed the Moors back as far as Leiria. In the meantime the highest in hierarchy, the Pope recognised the Portuguese independence. Portugal exported olives and wine, do hunting and fishing and they manufactured clothes and material from linen and wool.

In the 13th century, the then reigning Diniz focused on protecting the conquered land and developing the national culture. He divided the country in 50 regions (concelhos), and built castles there (Vila Nova de Cerveira) for reigning and fortresses for defence.

In the 14th century the plague killed a lot of people. Dom João who reigned at that moment, got into problems again with the Royal House of Castilie, who wanted the old borders back. However, Dom Joäo won with the help of British crusaders. Since then, there is an intense relationship with the British, laid down in the Treaty of Windsor.

In the 15th century Portugal started sailing the seas in search of new areas. The men in the prime of their lives were mainly at sea and the country was difficult to develop. The gathered wealth was mostly through the slave trade, and also overseas products. However, it was not used on developing the country, but spent by the tradesmen on a good life and major houses (Vila Nova de Cerveira, the house with the green tiles). They traded with India, China and a lot of countries in between along the ocean. They took possession over amongst others West Timor, Macau, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Brazil. The islands of Azores and Madeira are to this day autonomic regions under the Portuguese flag.

In the 15th century things were going for the worse. Spain occupied Portugal and the Dutch conquered in the 16th many overseas regions of Portugal, India extracted its areas also.

In 1822 the Constitution was drawn; in 1854 the slave trade was prohibited and came to an end, in 1910 the Republic was installed; this changed into a dictatorship in 1926 until 1974.

Portugal fought in WO I; a new Constitution was written in 1933 by the nationalistic, dictatioral, pro-Catholic regime; it didn't participate in WO II; it became a member of NATO in 1949; and a member of the United Nations in 1955.

1974 - Carnation Revolution

1986 - a member of the EU