Italian & Portugese Lexical Similarities

Facts like these:

A study by Sobeet institute showed that Spain has consolidated its position as the largest European investing country in Brazil. Total foreign investments in 1999 were US$11.93bil of which US$27.5bil direct investments. US lead as investing country with 30% or US$32.62bil, followed by Spain with US$9.26bil, followed by Germany with 9, 05% or US$9bil.

The aggressive presence of Spanish investors in Brazil is a new fact in the capitals market, and reflects the role of Brazil as the key country in Latin ...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5563/is_199911/ai_n22846218

We are discussing Portugal...and how some here insist on putting Portugal down, which is totally unfounded. Portugal is the little country that could. Again, read the following:

"In December 2005 China and Portugal established a strategic partnership. While a small power, Portugal has been a useful friend, with Lisbon well disposed toward ending the EU arms embargo on China. Portugal’s 500-year-old relationship with Africa and its strong presence on the continent that goes beyond its former colonies are valuable assets for China. Beijing values its ties with Lisbon – enough to deem the country as one of five in Europe awarded status of strategic partner."

Are you still unsure why Spain would want an Iberian union with Portugal?

Yes I am. What would be the benefits for the Spanish people? I mean, Spaniards' taxes would be used to improve the standard of living of the poorer Portuguese. Of course it's a good deal for the Portuguese but not for the Spaniards who would not see immediate benefits but to the contrary.

''they understand one another perfectly...and my father is Azorean Portuguese!!'' good 4 ya, but u can't speak 4 all brazilians dude

Cipo...you can't speak for all Brazilians either, dude ;-)

Guest, if you can't figure out how Spain would benefit from a union with Portugal, I won't bother explaining to you, because it is as clear as day. You want me to humour you, but I will not do it. If you are such a wiseguy, you should figure it out for yourself. I'm through with ya hermano.

Just visited this forum. I'm American, but I love Portugal and Spain - been there many times on holidays. Maybe people should visit Portugal before they say negative things about it. Everything about Portugal impressed me: the incredibly nice, friendly people (the Spaniards are harsh by comparison), history, food, architecture, cities, music, etc, etc. I don't understand the dislike that some of you have toward Portugal.

Actually, as someone pointed out earlier, if the economic giant "China" values its economic partnership with Portugal, why wouldn't Spain?? Of course Spain would benefit from Portugal economically. After speaking with many Portuguese and Spaniards about this Iberian union issue (as an Economics major this stuff interests me), I can say that in fact it is the Spaniards who are wanting the union more than the Portuguese. I think I understand why. Now that I know some Iberian history, it seems to me that the Spaniards never got over the fact that Portugal set its own destiny independent of Spain, and did extremely well - the Portuguese mapped the world. They definitely spread their langauge, religion, and culture everywhere. Portugal wasn't perfect, but neither was any other European colonial power - in fact, others were quite worse.

Anyway, you guys shouldn't be fighting with one another - it is not in keeping with the spirit of this forum, which is supposed to be about open sharing, and respectful of the input of others. Thanks for listening.

The Portuguese are depressive, I don't like them. Also Portugal is always the worse country in almost everything compared to the rest of Europe. Thanks to that the Spanish can say that they are better than one country. If Portugal was part of Spain we could not feel superior than anybody.

You're talking about Western Europe right? Surely Portugal must be better off than all those wretched Balkan backwaters...

Hey guest, you are depressive jerk...and guess what? I don't like you !! You are a cancer in this forum. The world doesn't need 'hatemongers' like you. I am so happy to say that Portugal kicked Spain's butt in the Euro Cup and the World cup. Oh, you forgot that. It was sooo sweet to see Portugal beat Spain like that both times. Must have been really tough for the Spaniards to get over that. And Europeans love to vacation in Portugal i.e., Swedes, Germans, French etc., etc. You're in the category of ignorants, so your hateful opinions don't mean much.

You misinterpreted my message. I simply don't like the Portuguese but that does not mean that I hate them. I've detected that the Portuguese think that the Spanish are like crazy for Portugal to become the 18th region. That's what I call wishful thinking. Objectively speaking, integrating a smaller yet densely populated and poorer country like Portugal would bring more headaches to the Spaniards than anything. Curiously your message made my think one thing: Why on hell people think that everybody must like their country? I believe that Portugal is the poor cousin of Spain and don't want as Spaniard that they join Spain because they would drain Spaniards' taxes, but I don't have strong feelings against them. Were are similar in many aspects and thanks to the European Union there is freedom of movement from Portugal to Spain and vice-versa. We don't need really higher degree of integration. Believe me, I don't hate the Portuguese, I feel indiference more than anything towards the Portuguese, like most of the Spaniards I think, perhaps excluding those who live near to the border like the Galicians. Spain is more interested in their Mediterranean neighbors like France and Italy than in Portugal.That's all. Peace.

<< Spain is more interested in their Mediterranean neighbors like France and Italy than in Portugal.>>
This is because people always look at richer or more developed countries. So,the same prejuice can be applied to spain from the rest of EU countries.
Have you ever been to Portugal? Yo sí y te puedo decir que es un pais estupendo , te puedes entender con ellos perfectamente a poco que lo aprendas , sus costumbres,paisajes y gente son excepcionales.
En España hay regiones más ricas que otras y por eso no vamos a dejarlas de lado. ¿o sí?
Y mira ya hay cosas en marcha: Portugal y España crean un laboratorio ibérico de nanotecnología
http://www.laflecha.net/canales/ciencia/portugal-y-espana-crean-un-laboratorio-iberico-de-nanotecnologia/

Yo creo que hace más falta posturas de conocimiento mutuo. O sea, más publicidad.

MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING.

Ps: Viaja a ver si se te quita la tontería.

Rather than an Iberian union I believe that it would be better for the Spaniards a kind of an estrategic alliance with Italy so these mediterranean countries would gain weight withing the European Union. Spain and Italy have similar GDP per capita and shared interests. That project would fit better. Also you don't seem to have the minor idea of geopolitics.Portugal is a puppet state of UK (sad but true). Even if the Portuguese and Spaniards wanted to unite , UK would move the necessary threads to sabotage the process. Last but not least,Spain has already a lot of job trying to keep the threat of the catalan and basque natonalists down. To bring Portugal to the party would be suicidal. It's better for Pt and Sp to remain as two separate countries within the European Union.

Gracias 'Desde Otro Sitio con el mi' Now that is an opinion I respect. At least you postulate your opinion in a resonable, intelligent kind of way. Most Portuguese who have been to Spain also have nothing but good things to say about it. Spain and Portugal are brother countries, next door neighbours who are so close in every way, who have had some tense moments in the past, but today they respect one another, and are very good friends. Economically, Portugal and Spain together would be a global powerhouse.

Economically, Portugal and Spain together would be a global powerhouse.

Don't make me laugh. Portugal has nothing to apport to Spain economically speaking. It would be a burden for the Spanish economy. Look :
Spain GDP per capita 33 700 $
Portugal GDP per capita 23 464 $
Source: English Wikipedia.

Still saying that the Portuguese would make us a favour joining Spain?

Thanks to the European Union the Spanish companies already can invest freely in Portugal. For example Telefónica is one of the biggest shareholders of Portugal Telecom. There is no need for that union since the current European frame is more that sufficient. Boas noites.