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Portugal

Stamps issued: 1853-PRESENT

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4e Vasco da Gama's Fleet single

A republic on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe. Independence was established in 1095, and during the next two centuries it was expanded to its present borders. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese navigators and merchants led European overseas expansion. Portugal built an overseas empire that included Brazil and colonies in Africa, Arabia, India and the Far East. Portuguese power declined rapidly after 1580, although Portugal maintained much of its colonial empire until 1975. Portugal was a kingdom from 1139 until 1910 when the republic was established. From 1932 to 1968, Portugal was ruled by Premier Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, an authoritarian dictator. After 1968, Salazar's policies were continued by his successors. The regime became increasingly unpopular, largely because of the country's debilitating wars against nationalist movements in the African colonies. In 1974, a military coup overthrew the government, and the new liberal regime quickly granted independence to Angola, the Cape Verde Islands, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tome-Principe. Autonomy was granted to Macau, Madeira and the Azores. The collapse of authority in Portuguese Timor brought that territory's occupation by Indonesia in 1976. The government moved increasingly to the left during 1975, and the communists, despite setbacks at the polls, increased their influence. In November, a counter-coup halted this trend, and free elections in 1976 gave Portugal a socialist government. Portugal's swift change from a rigidly controlled rightist dictatorship, through a flirtation with communism, to a socialist democracy brought enormous economic strains. In recent years, though, there has been considerable progress.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

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3.50e Vasco da Gama's Route to India single
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10e Chart of Portugal's Sagres Region single
 

Precedent Countries:


AZORES
Stamps issued: 1868-1931

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Overprint on 80c stamp of Portugal single

A group of islands in the North Atlantic. The islands used Portuguese stamps until 1868, when overprinted stamps came into use. Separate Azores issues were replaced by regular Portuguese stamps in 1931. In 1980 Portugal again began to issue separate stamps for the Azores.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News


MADEIRA
Stamps issued: 1868-1928

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7e Ceres single

A group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean northwest of Africa. Madeira's stamps were replaced by those of Portugal in 1898. In 1928-29, a special series of stamps was issued for use on certain days, when their use was obligatory. On Jan. 2, 1980, separate issues again appeared for Madeira.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News


ANGRA
Stamps issued: 1892-1905

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300r King Carlos single

An administrative district of the Azores, in the central Atlantic. Angra's stamps were replaced by those of the Azores in 1906. Since 1931, regular Portuguese stamps have been used in the district.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

FUNCHAL
Stamps issued: 1892-1905

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300r King Carlos single

City in the Madeira island group in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Funchal issues were replaced by those of the Azores in 1905. Since 1931, regular Portuguese stamps have been in use.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

PONTA DELGADA
Stamps issued: 1892-1905

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65r King Carlos single

An administrative district of the Azores. Stamps of Ponta Delgada were replaced by issues of the Azores in 1905, which in turn were replaced by regular Portuguese issues in 1931.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

HORTA
Stamps issued: 1892-1893

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300r King Carlos single

A district of the Azores. From 1868 to 1892 and from 1905 to 1931, stamps of the Azores were used. Since 1931, regular Portuguese stamps have been in use.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

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