Covering around 960 square kilometres – about 370 square miles – more than a quarter of Portugal’s population live in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area; that’s just under 3 million people. As well as being the centre of government it is also the biggest contributor to the nation’s GDP, generating over 45 per cent. The area’s GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is over 26,000 Euros; which is nearly 4.7 per cent higher than the European Union average; and it is the European Union’s 10th richest metropolitan area by GDP.

Although it is very popular as a tourist destination its income derives largely from the technology, mass multimedia, and financial sectors.

It incorporates nine districts. These range from the times of antiquity – Alfama being the oldest – to the ultra-modern Parque das Nações, or Park of Nations. In other videos in this section I will give you a brief idea about what some of them are like to live in.

The Metropolitan Area incorporates 150 kilometres of coastline as well as 200 kilometres of river front. It is divided by the Tagus river estuary. As well as being an internationally recognised site of ecological and environmental importance – its 100,000 migratory aquatic birds and various fish species are protected by the EU Habitats Directive – the estuary is also of key economic and strategic value. It combines the industrial activities of the Port of Lisbon with commercial and touristic enterprises such as a cruise terminal, marinas, restaurants, bars, and heritage sites.

And everything is easily and cheaply accessible thanks to the city’s fully integrated public transport system, including four underground rapid transit metro lines.

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