International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
Province) disputed with Indonesia
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier
in south
Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble
Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 40% other: 16%
Irrigated land: 6,340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and
vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,
Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along
western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
@Portugal:People
Population: 10,562,388 (July 1995 est.)