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  • Portugal has faced economic difficulty since the recent global recession, but unlike many

  • other stalling European nations, they have seen a steady recovery. In March 2015, Portugal

  • paid off 22% of their bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund. Portugal is on

  • it’s way back to regaining its lost economic strength in Europe. But on a global level,

  • how powerful is Portugal?

  • Well, Portugal is a nation slightly smaller than the state of Indiana. It’s situated

  • on the coast, bordered by its only neighbor, Spain. Most of its population speaks Portuguese,

  • and subscribes to Roman Catholicism. With 10 million people, it’s the 87th most populous

  • country in the world, ranking above Sweden and below Greece.

  • Portugal was historically the envy of Europe with a strong maritime economy. Legendary

  • sea explorers like Vasco De Gama, and Pedro Alvares Cabral, were famous for discovering

  • routes to India and Brazil, respectively. One of the most well-known Portuguese citizens,

  • Ferdinand Magellan, was the first to circumnavigate the globe. But things have changed for Portugal.

  • The recent global recession hit the country hard, and it’s debt measures about 128%

  • of its GDP. 14% of working-age citizens are unemployed, and 19% of people live below the

  • poverty line. Still, compared to other weak European economies, Portugal has proven to

  • be one of the most adaptable and quick to recover. In just a few more years , the country

  • could be back on its feet, and have no more need for the austerity measures that still

  • affect Greece, Italy and Spain.

  • Today, Portugal’s GDP is about $230 billion dollars, ranking 48th in the world below Ireland

  • and Greece. Their economy consists of a very diversified service industry, and some of

  • the standout exports from Portugal include automobiles and refined petroleum. Portugal

  • is also the world’s leading producer of cork products, accounting for 60% of the global

  • trade.

  • Because Portugal is uniquely isolated, historically their defense needs have been minor. In both

  • world wars theyve been able to maintain relative neutrality due to their smaller size.

  • Today there are only about 40,000 active personnel, but there are more than 200,000 personnel

  • in reserve. Their arsenal is equipped with modern aircrafts, ships and tanks, and kept

  • up to date with a national defense budget of $4 billion dollars. Although their military

  • is small, it’s well maintained, and ranks 57th worldwide.

  • But the real source of Portugal’s international power is their diplomatic relationships with

  • Europe and abroad. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 and were early members of both

  • NATO and the OECD. One of their strongest allies is the United Kingdom, and their friendly

  • ties date back to the 14th century. Additionally, Portugal’s former colonies, including Brazil

  • and Angola, give the nation cultural footholds worldwide.

  • So, Portugal’s alliances give the country an international presence, although their

  • economy is still somewhat lacking and their military is quite small. Overall, the nation’s

  • power is relatively minimal compared to the rest of the developed Western world. However,

  • when compared to the rest of the unhealthy European economies, Portugal is an example

  • of success. Austerity measures that crippled other nations like Greece and Spain, have

  • worked for Portugal. And in that regard, the nation has a unique power to transform itself

  • against the odds, and help its citizens flourish.

  • Neighboring Spain may be much larger than Portugal but both countries have gone through

  • similar struggles that have affected their clout. To find out just how powerful Spain

  • is, watch this video. Thanks for watching TestTube News! Don’t forget to like and

  • subscribe so you can catch our new videos. Well see you next time.

Portugal has faced economic difficulty since the recent global recession, but unlike many

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葡萄牙有多強大? (How Powerful Is Portugal?)

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    YSI 發佈於 2021 年 01 月 14 日
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