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tugal is a small country located in the southwestern part of Europe. It is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing seafood, and exquisite wines. However, there are some lesser-known facts about Portugal that make it interesting. Firstly, Portugal is the oldest country in Europe. The country was established in 1143, making it over 877 years old. Portugal has a rich and diverse history that dates back even further than its establishment. Portugal was home to some of the earliest human settlements in Europe. Secondly, Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world. Cork is a natural and sustainable material that is extracted from the bark of cork oak trees. Portugal has over 720,000 hectares of cork forests, which is over 50% of the world's total cork production. Thirdly, Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. There are over over 230 million Portuguese speakers around the world, making it the sixth most spoken language in the world. Fourthly, Portugal is home to the world's oldest bookstore. The Bertrand Bookstore was founded in Lisbon in 1732 and has been in operation ever since. The bookstore is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world. Lastly, Portugal is believed to be the birthplace of the Francesinha. The Francesinha is a popular dish in Portugal that consists of bread, ham, smoked sausage, steak, and covered in cheese and a special sauce. It is often served alongside French fries. The Francesinha is believed to have been invented by a Portuguese immigrant living in France in the 1960s. In conclusion, Portugal may be a small country, but it is filled with fascinating history and culture. From its cork production to its world-famous Francesinha, Portugal has plenty of interesting facts that make it stand out.