Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe.
Its mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders only
one nation — Spain, to the east and north — with a total of 1,214 km
(754 mi) of borders. Despite this total of km for the border with
Spain, Portugal does not recognise the border from the delta of the
River Caia to the delta of the River Cuncos since 1801's occupation
of the Olivença territory by the Spanish Kingdom. This territory,
though under Spanish occupation remains part of Portugal and no
border is henceforth recognised in this area. It is bordered on the
west with a 1,793 km (1,114 mi) coastline along the North Atlantic
Ocean. Portugal also controls the Atlantic islands of Azores and
Madeira Islands, which are strategic locations along western sea
approaches to the Strait of Gibraltar between the Atlantic and
Mediterranean Sea.
The climate can be classified as Mediterranean
type csa in the southern areas, and csb in the north, according to
the Köppen climate classification. Portugal is one of the warmest
European countries, the annual temperature averages in mainland
Portugal are 13 °C (55 °F) in the north and 18 °C (64 °F) in the
south and it is over 20 °C (68°F) on the warmest spots, like south
coast of Madeira island.
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