Amy E Orgeron GEOG 4356 DR Strait
Amy E Orgeron GEOG 4356 DR Strait
Amy E Orgeron GEOG 4356 DR Strait
Orgeron
GEOG 4356
Dr. Strait
May 5, 2016
Urbanizao de Lisboa
Which capital is Europes westernmost city that is known for its street art and
culture? Thats right, Lisbon, Portugal. This Portuguese capital is the eleventh most
populous city and the second oldest city in Europe . Lisbon is an interesting and unique
urbanized historic city. The city limits population is somewhere around 540 ,000, but the
urban population is over 2.7 million and the metropolitan area population is 2 .5 million.
The metropolitan population represents twenty-seven percent of Portugals population .
Lisbon is situated on the western coast along the Atlantic Ocean , which gives the city its
Mediterranean climate. Lisbon is built around the seven hills. It is a beautiful coastal,
cultural and unique city.
The history of Lisbon revolves around its strategic geographical position at the
mouth of The Tagus, the longest river is the Iberian Peninsula. Lisbon emerged as a
nation state in the twelfth century and is one of the oldest cities in Europe . Lisbon has
shortened from fifty-three down to only the twenty-four . The locals of Lisbon usually
refer to the city space as bairros, or neighborhoods. There are no clear or set
boundaries for these neighborhoods, but they represent distinct areas of the city
regarding culture, architecture, and similar ways of living. These distinct neighborhoods
are known for certain things, like the Alcntara neighborhoods is known its docks . Most
of the dock warehouses have been converted into bars and clubs . The Mouraria is one
of the most traditional neighborhoods in Lisbon , with Moorish influences in the
architecture. Cascais neighborhood was formerly a fishing village and it now a trendy
beach resort. The Belm neighborhood has some of Lisbons must see sites . This city
has so many unique and historical features.
Transportation in Lisbon mostly consists of trams, trains and personal vehicles.
The trams, that are also known as the Americanos, were imported from the United
States in the nineteenth century. They basically look identical to a San Francisco street
car. Sometimes they are covered in some of Lisbons beautiful street art . There are two
large bridges that are very well-known in Lisbon . One of the bridges being the 25 da
Abril, which also resembles our Golden Gate bridge . The other bridge is the longest
bridge in Europe named the Vasco de Gama. This bridge is eleven miles long and six
miles of being over water.
Since Lisbon is the capital of Portugal , it contributes forty-five percent to
Portugals GDP. It is not only the governmental center of the country, but it also the
commercial and financial center. Lisbon is conveniently located at the mouth of the
Tagus River, and is heavily industrialized. Some of the industries include footwear ,
furniture, ceramics, petrochemicals, machinery and even paper products. An extremely
large quantity of imports and exports pass through the harbor of the Tagus . There are
several multinational companys headquarters that are located in Lisbon . Which helps
increase the trade across the region. Tourism is also another source that helps with
Lisbons economy. Millions from around the world visit every year to experience the
history, architecture, culture and food of Lisbon.
Food is an important aspect of Lisbon, like it is in many international cities. Back
in the fifteenth century, Prince Henry the Navigator ordered his explorers to bring back
anything exotic, whether it was plants, vegetables, fruits or nuts, he did not really care,
as long as it was exotic. The Age of Discovery considerably affected the cookie style in
Lisbon. Many people are not aware that Portuguese cuisine is one of the most
influential cuisines in the world. The Portuguese are the ones that brought in tomatoes
and potatoes and made them popular vegetables . Even though there are traditional
dishes from region to region in Portugal, most people in the country eat traditionally
some of the same things. Breakfast in Portugal is usually only consists of some kind of
bread and coffee. When lunch time comes around it is a bigger meal and typically lasts
for about two hours. Dinner is typically served after eight oclock. Fresh seafood is
typically found throughout Portugal, but especially in Lisbon being as it is on the coast .
Bacalhau is one their most famous dishes, which is dried and salted cod. This dish
has been around since the Age of Discovery when the explorers would travel for long
periods of time, they would catch the fish, salt it and then dry it out, so that they would
have a meal that would last them for their voyage . The Caf Martinho da Arcada claims
to be Lisbons oldest caf, with some saying it opened in 1782, and with others saying it
opened years after that date. Fernando Pessoa, a famous modernist poet, frequented
this caf. They still have a reserved seat for him to this day, even though he died more
than half a century ago. The caf is famous for their cream cake, pasteis de nata and
their cataplana, a claw stew. Caf Martinho da Arcada is a very frequented restaurant
by the many tourists in Lisbon.
Graffiti or what artists would prefer it to be known as , street art, is very prominent
in Lisbon, and as you roam around the city, you will see some sort of street art. There
are many tours that you can take around the city so you can see some of the best
examples of the art. There are many pieces of the street art that are actually projects
that are to help transform neglected buildings in the Lisbon business district instead of
abandoning the citys crumbling heritage to the developers . Since it is such a wellknown form of art in Lisbon, LATA 65, a non-profit organization, created an urban art
workshop for the elderly. This organization tries to help break down stereotypes and the
age gap between the younger generations and the elderly . The workshop starts out as
more of class where the elderly learns about the history of street art and they get to
make their own stencils. Once the elderly is comfortable and confident with their stencils
and ability, LATA 65 takes them to an abandoned area. LATA 65 provides gloves,
masks, and the spray paint. Street art has been a part of Lisbon for many years since
around the eighteenth century. White buildings were the tradition for Lisbon . After the
huge earthquake in 1755 destroyed so many of these white buildings , the wealthier
population of Lisbon decided to begin adding color to their walls and tiles . Early graffiti
were the poor mans equivalent.
There are so many wonderful and beautiful sites to visit in Lisbon , some of them
being the amazing museums. Lisbon has a museum of western and eastern art, one
ancient art, one on Portugals presence in the Far East, and even one on decorative
tilework. There are also many beautiful architectural pieces like St . Georges Castle.
Lisbon also has some beautiful churches around the city that are also major historical
sites. Another amazing site to see is one the UNESCO World Heritage Sites , the
sixteenth century Jeronimos monastery. It was built in honor of Portugals Age of
Discovery. Vasco da Gamas tomb lies inside. The Belm Tower is one of Lisbons most
iconic pieces of art and history. It is also a symbol of the Age of Discovery. It was built in
1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbons harbor . It was also the starting
point for many explorers during the Age of Discovery, and also the last sight of
homeland. It is a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Francisco de Arruda was the
architect of this iconic piece of art. He had previously worked on Portuguese
fortifications in Morocco. There were also several Moorish influences. The Belem Tower
is of Manueline style of art. Lisbon also had an amazing modern aquarium . It is one of
Europes finest and one the worlds largest. There is also a spectacular way to be able
to have amazing views of the city; in an antique elevator . It is a neo-gothic style elevator
and was created by the French architect, Raoul Msnier du Ponsard.
Lisbon, Portugal is a beautiful, historic, rich in culture, urbanized and very artistic
city that I cannot wait to visit one day soon. Thanks to this international city project , I
have now discovered a new city to add to my bucket list. Lisbon is amazingly
landscaped and a great planned city. With its coastal atmosphere, seven hills,
beaches, museums, great food, wine, and history, Lisbon has something for everyone.
Sources
GoLisbon. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.
"Lisbon - Lonely Planet." Lonely Planet. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.
"Www.visitportugal.com." Lisboa Region. N.p., 2013. Web. 1 May 2016.