Portugal and the Sea

No. 14 APRIL 2011

In the Estado Novo, the sea was an essential factor for its primary political plan: holding on to its overseas empire. After this plan had been set aside, following the 25 April revolution and accession to the EU, the sea was left out of the great national political and economic options. This is also why we still have the idea that the sea is synonymous with the ""past” and so we continue to turn our backs on it. Well, along with its language, the sea is one of the main assets that Portugal has. Stretching out across the ocean and into its Atlantic archipelagos, Portugal has the largest maritime area in the European Union. The ""Portuguese sea” is, in fact, one of the largest in the world. It is time for us to learn how to combine the economy with our geography and take advantage of its resources. In this essay, we seek to highlight the potential of the sea for our economy and contribute to a strategic vision that the Portuguese must have regarding their future.

Published by FFMS and Relógio d'Água.

2011 edition