Parque das Nações
Encyclopedia
Parque das Nações (ˈpaɾk dɐʃ nɐˈsõȷ̃ʃ; Park of the Nations) is a leisure, commercial, and residential area in Lisbon
, Portugal
. It covers an extensive area in northeastern Lisbon next to the Tagus
estuary
, formerly used for mainly industrial purposes.
The area underwent a tremendous transformation in the 1990s when it was chosen as the location for the Expo '98
World Exhibition. After the exhibition, the area got its current name (although it is not uncommon for the Portuguese
to still refer to it as "Expo"), and more transformations occurred such as the new Vasco da Gama shopping mall, the Lisbon's International Fair complex, hotels and many new office and residential buildings. Many attractions built for the Expo '98 remained and keep drawing visitors, such as the Oceanarium
, one of the world's biggest aquarium
s.
Taking advantage of its geographical position, Parque das Nações is also proud of its brand new Marina. Marina Parque das Nações features 600 berths and modern infrastructures, a river pier for cruises or historical vessels, and an exclusive pontoon prepared to receive nautical and on land events.
For those who are birdlovers, this is a perfect spot for bird watching as it is sited in the Tagus Estuary, one of the largest and diverse estuaries of Europe.
An estimated 15,000 people currently live in the Parque das Nações, which is halved between the Lisbon and Loures
municipalities
, effectively splitting the local government of the area. There is a movement of citizens requesting the Lisbon's half to annex the one belonging to Loures, thereby integrating the entire area within the Lisbon municipality.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It covers an extensive area in northeastern Lisbon next to the Tagus
Tagus
The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is long, in Spain, along the border between Portugal and Spain and in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. It drains an area of . The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course...
estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
, formerly used for mainly industrial purposes.
The area underwent a tremendous transformation in the 1990s when it was chosen as the location for the Expo '98
Expo '98
Expo '98 was an official specialised World's Fair held in Lisbon, Portugal from Friday, May 22 to Wednesday, September 30, 1998. The theme of the fair was "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future," chosen in part to commemorate 500 years of Portuguese discoveries...
World Exhibition. After the exhibition, the area got its current name (although it is not uncommon for the Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
to still refer to it as "Expo"), and more transformations occurred such as the new Vasco da Gama shopping mall, the Lisbon's International Fair complex, hotels and many new office and residential buildings. Many attractions built for the Expo '98 remained and keep drawing visitors, such as the Oceanarium
Lisbon Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is an oceanarium in Lisbon, Portugal. It is located in the Parque das Nações, which was the exhibition grounds for the Expo '98.- Architecture :...
, one of the world's biggest aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
s.
Taking advantage of its geographical position, Parque das Nações is also proud of its brand new Marina. Marina Parque das Nações features 600 berths and modern infrastructures, a river pier for cruises or historical vessels, and an exclusive pontoon prepared to receive nautical and on land events.
For those who are birdlovers, this is a perfect spot for bird watching as it is sited in the Tagus Estuary, one of the largest and diverse estuaries of Europe.
An estimated 15,000 people currently live in the Parque das Nações, which is halved between the Lisbon and Loures
Loures
Loures Municipality is a municipality to the north of Lisbon. Created on 26 July 1886 by a royal decree, the municipality currently occupies an area of 169 km² and has about 200,000 inhabitants . It borders the municipalities of Odivelas, Sintra, Mafra, Arruda dos Vinhos, Vila Franca de Xira...
municipalities
Municipalities of Portugal
In Portugal, municipality or concelho is the most stable subdivision of Portugal since the foundation of the country.Portugal has an entirely separate system of cities and towns. Cities and towns are located in municipalities, but often do not have the same boundaries, even if built-up is continuous...
, effectively splitting the local government of the area. There is a movement of citizens requesting the Lisbon's half to annex the one belonging to Loures, thereby integrating the entire area within the Lisbon municipality.