GEOGRAPHY. 49 



36° 55' to 42° 13' N. Lat. It is bounded on the north and east by Spain, 

 on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean ; and including the Azores, 

 occupies about 27,552 square geographical miles. 



The greater portion of the land forms a highland, with rugged mountains ; 

 the most northern part, however, is an elevated terrace. Some of the 

 individual mountains are : in the north, Serra de Suazo, S. de Santa Lucia, 

 S. de Gerez, S. de Cahreira, S. de Marao, S. de Quadrasal, S. de Noguiera ; 

 in the centre, S. de Acoba or Caramujo, S. de Estrella (the highest), S. 

 Mansa, S. de Anciao, S. de Moradal, S. Brava, S. de Melrica, S. Aire, S. 

 Albardos, Monte Cantaro, M. Junto, S. Patelo, S. do Minde, S. Monta- 

 chique, S. de Portalegre, S. de Arrabida; in the south, S. de S. Joao, S. de 

 Ossa, Monte Maro, S. Aboleira, S. de Grandola, the Algarbian boundary 

 mountain, S. de Cadeiro, S. de Monchique, S. de Figueira, M. Figo. 



The principal rivers are as follows : 1. The Minho, which forms the 

 northern boundary between Portugal and Spain, 2. The Douro, upon 

 which Oporto is situated. Tributaries on the right, Sabor, Tua, Tamega ; 

 on the left, Coa, Tavoa, Pavia. 3. Tagus or Tejo, the most important 

 stream, with Lisbon situated at its mouth : it is navigable as far as Abrantes. 

 Tributaries on the right, Ponsel, Zezere ; on the left Zatas or Sorraya, 

 Canha. 4. Guadiana, which in its lower part forms portion of the boundary 

 between Spain, navigable to Martola. Rivers along the coast : 5. Lima 

 empties at Viana. 6. Cavado. 7. Bouga. 8. Mondego. 9. Sado. 



Southern fruits of various kinds form the principal products, also wine 

 and grain. Sheep are raised in considerable numbers, and the fisheries are 

 important. Mining is almost entirely unknown. 



In 1836, the population, excluding Lisbon and the islands, amounted to 

 3,061,684, divided into 380 Concelhos or congregations, 4034 parishes, and 

 791,492 families or hearths. The census of 1838 gave 3,224,174 inhabitants 

 in 382 congregations, 3692 parishes, and 827,947 families : that of 1841, 

 3,412,500 heads, in 386 congregations, 3737 parishes, 847,343 families. The 

 Azores, with the islands of Madeira and Porto Santa, have 330,500 inhabit- 

 ants in 11 comarcas, 34 congregations, 163 parishes, 76,430 families. This 

 makes 3,743,000 souls for the entire European population. These are mostly 

 of Jewish or Moorish descent, speak a language closely allied to the Spanish, 

 but mixed with many Arabic words, and abounding in nasal sounds. The 

 religion is Roman Catholic. 



The kingdom of Portugal is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by prinees 

 of the House of Braganza (at present Maria II., born 1819), under the 

 constitution granted in 1826 by Don Pedro. The supreme ruler shares the 

 government with two chambers, which assemble annually, and which 

 consist, the one of members chosen by the crown, the other of members 

 elected by the people. 



The state rev ^nue, according to the estimates of 1848-49, amounts to 

 about sixteen millions of dollars. The army embraces 28,100 soldiers, of 

 which only 18,000 are m service. There are 9000 soldiers in the colonies. 

 The navy consists of two ship*? of the line, six frigates,, eight corvettes, 

 eleven brigs, seven schooners, two steam- vessels, dec. 



ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOP.iCDIA. VOL. III. 4 49 



