Lisbon

Lore & Background

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and the second-oldest European capital city (after Athens). It was settled by pre-Celtic tribes and later founded by the Phoenicians. Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was ruled by Germanic tribes, notably the Visigoths, then captured by the Moors in the 8th century. In 1147, Afonso Henriques conquered the city, and in 1255 it became Portugal's capital, replacing Coimbra. The precise origin of the name is unknown; it may derive from Proto-Celtic or Celtic Olisippo, or from a supposed Phoenician term Alis-Ubbo, though this folk etymology lacks evidence. The name is commonly abbreviated as 'LX' or 'Lx', originating from an antiquated spelling Lixbõa.

In Their Own Story

The morning fog still clings to the Tagus estuary as the admiral steps onto the weathered quay. Galleons groan in their moorings, their masts a black forest against the grey Atlantic sky. Somewhere behind the city walls, the king's council is already arguing over tariffs and trade agreements with the Castilians to the north. The admiral does not have time for politics. The wind is shifting, the crew is fed, and beyond the headland the open ocean stretches in every direction. Lisbon has given the Crown its ships; now the ships must give the Crown its empire. He signals the harbor master. The lines are cast off. The galleon turns her bow west, and the city's white towers shrink behind a veil of salt and spray.

Reader's Guide

Lisbon is the political centre of Portugal, hosting the government, Assembly of the Republic, Supreme Court of Justice, Armed Forces, and residence of the head of state. It is also the centre of Portuguese diplomacy, with ambassadors from 86 countries residing in the city, plus representations from Taiwan and Palestine. About 3.35 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the Iberian Peninsula (after Madrid and Barcelona) and among the 10 most populous urban areas in the European Union. It represents approximately 28% of the country's population. Lisbon is an alpha− level global city, important in finance, commerce, fashion, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. It is one of two Portuguese global cities (the other being Porto) and home to three companies in the Global 2000: EDP Group, Galp Energia, and Jerónimo Martins. The Lisbon region has a GDP PPP of US$179 billion or $61,713 per capita, and is the 40th richest city in the world by gross earnings.

Did You Know?

• Lisbon is the second-oldest European capital city, after Athens.
• The city's name may derive from a Phoenician term Alis-Ubbo meaning 'safe harbour', but this lacks evidence.
• The abbreviation 'LX' for Lisbon comes from the old spelling Lixbõa.
• The Lisbon metro area hosts the westernmost point of Continental Europe, Cabo da Roca.