Porto (Oporto)

Porto (Oporto) is a major port city in northern Portugal. Located on steep slopes overlooking the Douro River, 5 km (3 mi) from the Atlantic Ocean, Porto has a population of 309,485 (1991) and is Portugal's second-largest city. The city has been famous since the 17th century for its production and export of port wine. Fruit, cork, olives, lace, silver filigree jewelry, and textiles are also among the city's products exported from its suburban port, Leix›es. Fishing and tourism are also economically important.

Porto's landmarks include the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, the Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara, and the neoclassical Stock Exchange. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porto has several museums including the Soares dos Reis, an ethnographic museum, and the Museu de Sarralves (designed by çlvaro Siza and opened in 1999) and is the home of the University of Porto (1911).

In addition to its port facilities nearby, the city is served by an international airport. It is well known for the three large bridges spanning the Douro, including one designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.

Located in an area settled as early as 2000 ©, Porto became the Roman town of Portus Cale in the 3d century ©. It passed to the Moors in 716, and they held it until the end of the 10th century. By the 12th century it was a busy merchant center and was regarded as the northern capital of Portugal. The British took the city from the French during the Peninsular War