Portugal Demographics 1940
Population. – At the time of the census of 12 December 1940, the population of the republic, including the Azores and Madeira islands, amounted to 7,722,152 residents, Of which 7,185,143 in the continent (present population); an evaluation in June 1946 brings it up to 8,223,500 residents
The data for the various districts (1940) are as follows:
Other cities with over 10,000 residents they are: Barreiro 19,846 residents; Oeiras 13,994; Olhão 13,627; Póvoa de Varzim 13,410; Covilhã 12,764; Guimarães 12,295; Elvas 11,222; Lamego 10,698; Figueira da Foz 10.072.
Economic conditions. – In 1939 the surface of mainland Portugal was occupied for 28.1% by arable land, 9.9% by arborescent crops, 27.7% by forests (of which 1/4 cork trees); the rest is given by uncultivated, partly cultivable, partly unproductive. The main crop of the country continues to be that of the vine, which covers about 350,000 ha. and gave, in 1945, 10,167,000 hl. of wine. The olive tree occupies an area slightly less than that of the vine, and gave, also in 1945, 405,000 q. of oil. The cereal production, insufficient to the internal needs, was, in 1946, the following: 5,080,140 q. of wheat (654.163 ha.); 3,860,700 q. of turkish wheat (497.800 ha.); 2,170,780 q. of oats (292.272 ha.); 1.255.490 q. of barley (127.941 ha.); 1,409,910 q. of rye (242.217 ha.); 620,240 q. of rice (26.042 ha.). In 1940 the livestock was made up as follows: 483,000 horses (of which 275,000 donkeys), 973,000 cattle, 3,948,000 sheep, 1,244,000 goats, 1,253,000 pigs. Fishing had, in 1943, 15,000 boats with 41,400 fishermen; the product was 246,800 tons. fish, mainly tuna and sardines. During the Second World War the exploitation of pyrite deposits (1946: 171,500 t.) And especially of tungsten (1944: 5390 t.) Was intensified.
Commercial movement. – In 1946 the import had a value of 6859.5 million escudos, and the export, of 4586.5 million, of which 79.9 from minerals (pyrites and wolfram), 813.3 from cork, 444, 7 from sardines to oil and 830 from wines. For Portugal 2013, please check physicscat.com.
Communications (p. 39). – The railways in 1940 had a development of 3586 km; the merchant fleet in 1942 had a total tonnage of 394,295 t. (249.700 mechanically propelled).
Finances. – Thanks to its neutrality and favorable geographical position, Portugal was able to accumulate considerable reserves of gold and foreign currencies during the war (from 3 billion escudos in December 1940 to 18.2 at the end of 1945), which have made the escudo one of the strongest coins in the world. Subsequently, the worsening of the trade balance, due to the growing difficulties for the placement of Portuguese products on some traditional outlet markets (in particular the English one) and the sharp increase in imports, especially of foodstuffs, promoted by the government to combat the inflation, led to a reduction in reserves and led the government to subject a long series of non-essential products to import licenses. However, at the end of September 1948 the Bank of Portugal’s gold and currency reserves still rose to 13.8 billion escudos, more than half of which in gold. The good currency situation allowed the country to maintain the free exchange regime, which was re-established in 1937; transfers of Swedish krona and Swiss francs and some transfers of dollars are exceptions. The exchange rate against the dollar has been at a rate of 25,065 escudos per dollar since September 1947. Portugal is not part of the International Monetary Fund. The state finances situation is also particularly solid. restored in 1937; transfers of Swedish krona and Swiss francs and some transfers of dollars are exceptions. The exchange rate against the dollar has been at a rate of 25,065 escudos per dollar since September 1947. Portugal is not part of the International Monetary Fund. The state finances situation is also particularly solid. restored in 1937; transfers of Swedish krona and Swiss francs and some transfers of dollars are exceptions. The exchange rate against the dollar has been at a rate of 25,065 escudos per dollar since September 1947. Portugal is not part of the International Monetary Fund. The state finances situation is also particularly solid.
As of December 31, 1946, the external public debt amounted to 826 million and the internal debt to 9573 million, of which 6550 is consolidated.
At July 31, 1948, circulation amounted to 8.1 billion (at the end of December 1939, 2.5 billion) and bank deposits to 18.8 billion, of which 17.8 at sight. By decree of April 1946, the legal reserve of the Bank of Portugal was raised to 50% of the total number of notes in circulation and other commitments on sight of the bank; of this reserve at least half must be made up of gold and the rest of foreign currencies convertible into gold.
