Portugal
Portugal is one of the most fascinating destinations in
Europe. It has a rich seafaring past, superb beach resorts,
wistful towns and cities, and a landscape wreathed in olive
groves, vineyards and wheat fields.
Four decades of dictatorship sidelined the country from
modern progress and Europe's power centres, but like its
neighbour, Spain, it has spent much of the last 20 years
trying to move in from the periphery, forging new ties with
the rest of Europe, restructuring its economy, and struggling
to maintain what is best in its national culture despite
the sudden onslaught of international influences.
The struggle between the traditional and the modern continues,
and as Portugal flows towards the economic mainstream of
the European Union, it still seems to gaze nostalgically
over its shoulder and out to sea.
The river Tagus effectively divides Portugal in two. To
the north lies a mountainous region while the south consists
mainly of lowland. Located in the extreme South West of
Europe, Portugal undoubtedly enjoys a most privileged geographical
position, acting as a link between Europe, the East Coast
of North America, Latin America and Africa.
Climate
The pleasant Portuguese climate is Atlantic, felt more in
the north, especially the northeast, and Mediterranean,
which dominates the south. The climate features gentle winters
and mild summers. The Winter is not harsh and the heat in
the Summer is moderate.
The rainier months are November and December, while a period
of scarce rainfall usually lasts from April to September.
Spain
The exuberance of the Spaniards and the glorious predictability
of the summer weather have been attracting refugees from
northern Europe's damp and clammy lands for decades, but
Spain is much more than the Costa del Sol and warm English
beer. It is drenched in the historical pageantry of empire
and conquistadors, the artistic legacy of Goya, Velázquez,
Picasso and Dalí, and the romance of Don Quijote,
Papa Hemingway and the International Brigades.
The main points to note with respect to Spain's physical
environment are as follows: the Meseta, which covers more
than half of the entire country, is a huge central plateau
of rock, surrounded by various mountain range; a maritime
climate dominates in the north; the east and south coasts
are influenced by their mediterranean climate; and the centre
of Spain experiences a continental climate.
Climate
When many, if not all of the Northern European countries are
either being flooded or frozen, you can almost guarantee that
Southern Spain is being bathed in bright warm sunshine!
Iberian Weather
Coastal areas and low altitudes, below 500m (1600ft)
Will usually be very mild throughout the year. Northern areas
of the Iberian Peninsula tend to be cooler than southern especially
in Summer.
Rainfall More frequent in Winter, occasionally
in November and April. Summer is always dry.
Day Temperatures
Spring and Summer typically between 15º-30ºC (60º-85º F),
in July/August it occasionally gets to 35ºC (95ºF) at lunchtime.
Autumn and Winter temperatures will be around 5º-20ºC (40º-70ºF)
during the day.
Inland areas and medium altitudes, 500-2500m (1600-8200ft)
Varies along the year and North to South, from cold and rainy to very hot and dry.
Rainfall More frequent in Winter and Mountain ranges.
Spring (in April) and Autumn (late October and November) it is particularly nice
when the sun is shining.
Summer is always dry.
Day Temperatures
Spring and Autumn typically between 10º-25ºC (50º-80º F).
Summer temperatures around 25º-35ºC (80º-95ºF), particularly the southern areas
in July/August it can occasionally get up to 40ºC (105ºF) at lunchtime.
Winter temperatures 0º-15ºC (32º-60ºF), it rarely gets below 0ºC except in Mountain ranges.
Iberia