Portuguese is the official language of Portugal in Spain. Portuguese is among the world's ten most popular languages and is spoke by over 213 million people on four continents: Portugal, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe and most recently East Timor. The Portuguese in all of these countries has slight variations, with Brazilian Portuguese being the most different, not only in pronunciation, but also in grammer and syntax. The main challenge of Portuguese pronunciation for English speakers are the characteristic nasal sounds. Most other phonemes are similar to those in English.
Over half of the Portuguese population is bilingual in Portuguese and another, major language that isn't native to the Republic. The top three languages in that category are English, French, and Spanish. Anywhere from 26%-32% of the population speaks Portuguese and English. Another 24% speaks Portuguese and French. And yet another 9% speaks Portuguese and Spanish.
Below is a video showing the common greetings in Portuguese. Enjoy!
Madeira has a more established tourist industry and a greater range of agricultural products compared to Azore, including the famed Madeira wine. Its low-tax international business centre and its international shipping register have diversified the economy. Local skills are provided by the Scientific and Technical Centre and the University of Madeira. The revamped Madeira International Business Centre has approval of the EU Commission to offer tax concessions to companies setting up there, provided they create new jobs.
Population
The population in the archipelago averages 250 000 people, 100 000 of them inhabiting the main town and the Region’s capital, the city of Funchal. The average population density is 306 inhab./km2, although in Funchal the density reaches 1313 inhab./km2, one of the highest population densities in Europe. This high population density poses a major challenge for land management and sustainable development. The official language is Portuguese, although English and other languages (Spanish, German and Scandinavian) are widely spoken, especially among the tourism-related industry.
Madeira Wine
With classic varieties and a distinctive taste derived from a unique process, Madeira Wine has become famous, indeed a market leader all over the world. The Madeira Wine harvest is an intense activity and a great festivity, commencing mid-August through October sometimes all the way to November depending on the altitude. Traditionally grapes are hand picked and placed in wicker baskets and then transported to the Lagar (wine making place) where the grapes are first pressed barefoot before a mechanical pressing machine is used. Today it is quite common to still see grape pressing by foot, however it’s mostly done by local farmers who still follow the tradition.
Embroidery
Embroidery is part of Madeira’s history and culture and was originally introduced by the English Phelps family who settled in Madeira in 1784. The fabrics used in the embroidery industry are Linen, Silk, Organdy and Cotton from which tablecloths, dresses, shirts, bed sheets and delicate handkerchiefs are created.
Madeira embroidery factories are located around Funchal but most of the actual embroidery is carried out traditionally, at home by the many women skilled in this practice. The factories usually supply the materials to the embroiders, then when the embroidery is returned to them, they complete final phase, sale and export all over the world.
Today Madeira’s finest and delicate hand made embroidery is a souvenir sought by many tourists, admired for its beauty and perfection; a treasure that lasts several generations.
Compared to Azore, Madeira has become more developed and attracted more tourists with the development of online websites (http://www.madeira-live.com/index.html) and propose tours for tourists. Around 90 percent of the island’s workforce are employed in the tourism industry. Aside from exporting bananas and their famous wine, tourism is the lifeblood of Madeira. Therefore, during February this year when Madeira was struck with the massive flood and landslide, it caused a great impact on Madeira's economy. I will discuss this issue further in the next few posts.
Another region is the Trás-os-Montes (which literally means 'behind the mountains') is Portugal's most rugged and remote region. Every resonably piece of land here is used for small-scale agriculture. The district of Miranda do Douro, found in a remote region along the Douro river near the Spanish border, is home to Portugal's only officiak minority language known as Mirandés. The people of this region, known as Transmontanos, are staunchly traditional. As this region lacked infrastructure and employment opportunities to achieve development and growth, young people move elsewhere to find work. There are many villages with hardly any young people or children, just old people going about their work in the fields as they have done all their lives.
Based on the World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, Azoreans and Madeirans has been identified as the indigenious groups in Portugal.
Here is a video that shows The Azores, and the people there:
A Little history of the two islands: Madeira and the Azores were discovered in 1419 and 1427 respectively. Both archipelagos were uninhabited.
Madeira was settled in 1433 by people from the Algarve and Minho. Agriculture was irrigated in Madeira from the sixteenth century. In the nineteenth century Madeirans emigrated to South Africa and Venezuela, and in the latter half of the twentieth century to other countries of the European Union. The Madeiran diaspora outnumbers the island population by around 3:1. The first tourist hotel was opened in Madeira in 1894. Tourism increased after the opening of the airport in 1963.
The Azores were settled from 1439 by people from the Algarve and Alentejo to service Portuguese shipping. The Portuguese were joined later by Flemish, French, Spaniards, Indians, Jews, Moorish prisoners and African slaves. In the nineteenth century many Azoreans emigrated to North America, where they now outnumber the population of the islands by around 4:1. In the twentieth century some returned to live in the Azores.
In 1988 Madeira set itself up as a low tax centre for international business with an industrial free trade zone, financial services, international services and an international shipping register. The number of companies operating in the Madeira International Business Centre rose from seven in 1988 to 3,230 in 1998, with the creation of over 2,000 jobs. As the EU and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) tightened up on tax havens, Madeira introduced new rules of transparency in 2004, which gained the approval of these two bodies.
Map of Azores; 9 volcanic islands
Azore As you can see from the video above, Azore is a place with many beautiful natural landscapes and culture that were undiscovered by other people.Agriculture and tourism do not provide enough income for the rural population of the Azores or Madeira and islanders continue to emigrate, some on a seasonal basis. Remittances are important, especially in the Azores.
Azore has promoted the use of IT and e-business and has a university and technical centre, but the region's remoteness has held back the economy.
The Azores government has implemented regional development plans aimed at strengthening infrastructure, local skills, businesses, cooperatives and non-profit associations, modernizing production, and providing social programmes for vulnerable sections of the population, including returning migrants.
The US Department of Agriculture is providing a technical assistance programme in 2003 to 2008 to strengthen the economic and social development of the Azores. The programme aims to improve environmental strategies and practice. It forms part of a wider cooperation agreement with the government covering agriculture, education, environment, tourism and cultural exchange, civil protection, social security and health.
Culture and tradition of the Azoreans Most ethnic groups have their own set of folk customs which are unique to their culture. The people of the Azores have their own customs as well.
Chamarrita
In the Azores, they were, and still are, an important part of the everyday lives of the people. Music, in all its various forms, is used to express joy, love, sorrow, thanks, and praise. One of them is the dance called the Chamarrita, which is done at weddings and the Holy Ghost Festival. This is a dance that is popular on all the Azore Islands especially in Faial and Pico. There can be many versions. As the dance has been handed down from generation to generation, and people have moved here and there, they sometimes changed the words. The dance itself, though, is a lively dance done in a circle. There is a caller and he will sing out directions to all the dancers.
Azorean Guitar
The Azorean Guitar, or A Viola Acoreana, was first brought to the Azores in the 15th century. It has become the favorite musical instrument of the Azores and is used in much of the music. Over a period of time, the Viola has changed, making it larger so as to be able to play more notes.
This instrument is held in high regard in the Azores as is the man who plays it. It is used in most songs as music has always been a big part of Azorean life. Almost every social gathering in the Azores involves music and the Viola is played then as part of the festivities.
The following video shows the dance, Chamarrita and the music that goes along with it was played with the Azorean Guitar:
Festival of the Holy Spirit
The most famous festival is the Festa do Espirito Santo (the Festival of the Holy Spirit), which is a yearly celebration to honor the Holy Ghost. It did not originate in the Azores, but is a much loved and practiced custom there and has continued now in many areas where Azoreans have settled. Many people from different areas, some from very far away, would meet . Sometimes, this might be the only time in a year that these people would get to see each other. As with all Azorean gatherings, music and good food are found in abundance.
The popular activities that tourists engage in is to visit the volcanos (such as Lagoa do Fogo) and mountains, and to engage in activities like mountain climbing in Pico Mountain. Tourists who are interested in the culture and heritage of Azore also visit places such as , Church of São Pedro, Fort São Brás, Redoubt of Mãe de Deus, Town, Conceição Palace, and Carlos Machado Museum.
The pictures shown below are more pictures of cultural tourism in Azore:
Lajes, Pico: The volcanic island's centuries-long viniculture and winemaking earned it a UNESCO World Heritage site designation in 2004.
Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira: Sanjoaninas marchas – this weeklong summer solstice celebration includes huge ensembles from island towns singing and dancing their way down the parade route as far as the eye can see, each accompanied by its community's filarmónica [marching band]. In 2011, Sanjoaninas will be held June 19-26.
Velas, São Jorge: Authentic mint-scented sopas served over crusty Portuguese bread is provided free to the entire community (and occasional tourist) by local impérios [fraternal lodges] at luncheons throughout the Azores on feast days. The island chain has many religious and secular festivals during the year.
Horta, Faial: Thousands of sailors from 'round the world observe the custom of leaving a painting on a marina wall, in hopes it will bring good luck on their next voyage.
Calheta, São Jorge: Freshly-baked artisanal breads, the norm throughout the Azores – including (above) handcrafted crusty pão de milho loaves made with fine cornmeal and baked in wood-burning ovens, papo secos (hard rolls), massa sovada (soft, sweet egg bread) and bolo lêvedo (yeast muffins).
Horta, Faial: Street entertainers captivate children of all ages with music, humor and magic tricks on a sunny Sunday afternoon under spreading shade-trees in the Largo do Infante (Prince Henry the Navigator plaza).
The Azores economy is based mainly on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Among these factors, tourism, however, the one that has been gaining most terrain in the economic scenario in recent years. It is far less developed than those industries of its Macaronesian neighbours, Madeira and Canary Islands, and its focus is mainly on the archipelago’s natural heritage. On the reverse side of the coin, the sector has seen great development and important investments are a result of this. Over the past decade tourist infrastructure has grown markedly and, also as a measure to combat isolation, the frequency and diversity of air routes within the islands and to the exterior has risen. There is a growing interest in the construction of ports and harbours and in coastal development, altogether.
Despite these recent developments, and partly because tourism in the Azores is greatly based on the islands’ cultural diversity, quality of life and natural beauty, in 2008 they were ranked 2nd best islands (or group of islands) in the world for sustainable tourism by National Geographic Traveler.
Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira: Sanjoaninas marchas – this weeklong summer solstice celebration includes huge ensembles from island towns singing and dancing their way down the parade route as far as the eye can see, each accompanied by its community's filarmónica [marching band]. In 2011, Sanjoaninas will be held June 19-26.
