Finding the differences between Scotland and the Silver Coast of Portugal is like comparing apples and mangoes. Each has their own distinct tastes and textures that make them truly unique on their own. It is important though to realize that in each of these locales, the true beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Living in the Silver Coast of Portugal
The Silver Coast of Portugal is an area fronting miles of white sandy beach and cool temperate climate all year round. This makes the locale ideal for tourists and sun worshippers to visit. Aside from the current sites on the beach, the Silver Coast also boasts of much of the naval history location in Portugal’s long sea tradition. There are also inland attractions that can be found to have senses feast upon, not just sand found on the beach and in traps on the golf course.
Even at off peak times, there is much to experience in the Silver Coast. The locale boasts of many traditional festivals and fairs that make your stay in the area an enriching one. There is the Aveiro, the town where its canals are crossed by bridges and its houses are of art nouveau design. Its saltwater lagoon boasts of fresh seaweed harvested by moliceiro boats and its waters are known to have curative powers. Coimbra, the university city of the area holds the finest collections of knowledge in its university library and the surrounding architecture is a showcase of Old world beauty and artistry. The town of Leira also holds much religious as well as historic significance as it leads to the famed shrine of Fatima, the most acclaimed place of the Virgin Mary’s apparition to three shepherd children. To the east is Tomar, the stronghold of the Knights Templar that has existed as much as a religious fervor then and a popular historical site nowadays.
In all, Portugal is one of the most beautiful countries in the European Union. Its old world charm is now framed in modern infrastructure projects both in the capital city of Lisbon, the tourist areas such as the Silver Coast and the Alagarve, but also in the other areas in both inland and southern Portugal. The quality of infrastructure and support services such as roads, railway and public transportation is at par with its European Union co-member states. The country also has the second lowest per capita crime rate in the European Union, which bespeaks of the affluence, discipline and protection you receive in the country.
Living in Scotland
Scotland on the other hand is also a European Union member and is a country under the aegis of the United Kingdom. Scotland forms one third of the isle of Great Britain, sharing its border with England and the North Sea, North Channel and Irish Sea. Its capital is Edinburgh and is the country’s largest financial center and second largest city.
The country has had a long medieval history, warring with its neighboring states until it formed a political union with the English Crown. With that the great developments in industry and commerce came forth as the rewards of the Industrial Revolution reverberated throughout the country. But the succeeding world wars had staggered the economic strides of the country. It is only the last few decades that the country has again been able to recover from its decline with much commerce in the financial services industry, electronic manufacturing and the discovery of North Sea Oil has made Scotland one of the economic gems in the European Union.
Despite being surrounded by seas, the temperature in Scotland is not what you would expect. In the Pleistocene epoch, the land was covered by glaciers, which had shaped the overall topography of the country. The Scottish highlands are located to the north and west of the country, which consists of mountainous regions and inland territorial waters. This is where the historic Scottish clansmen have made their roots. The coastline consists of low-lying dune pastureland called machair. It is not a temperate tropical clime but a country of low temperatures, high wind chill and bitter cold nights. The Central lowlands are a rift valley as these form part of the region where much coal and iron can be found in the low-lying rock formations. The third region in the country is called the Southern Uplands, which is a hilly region, and broad valleys are located.
These landmasses taken together with its oceanic climate makes living in Scotland quite an experience. Temperature drops can range from 27 degrees below zero to 18 degrees. There are sunny places though located in the country, especially found in Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. There is not much heavy snowfall but wind chill factor is a much looked at weather statistic in the country.
The lingua franca is English with some areas in the country still use Gaelic as part of their everyday conversation. It is one of the burgeoning economies in the European Union with the financial services, oil revenue and tourism as the main contributors to the economy. The unemployment rate is low compared to the United Kingdom and some other European Union countries. It is still one of the countries with a high standard of living as a consequence to its most recent economic upswing. It is a still a largesse state where much of its national income is returned to fund basic services and other needs such as health care and education.
Comparing Scotland and the Silver Coast of Portugal
As initially stated, comparing Scotland and the Silver Coast of Portugal are like comparing apples and mangoes. If you wish to become part of a growing economic power, with cool to wintry climes and being in the forefront of living standards in the European Union, then Scotland is the place for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a locale to kick back and relax, in serene and peaceful setting save for some boisterous band of tourists, then the Silver Coast of Portugal is for you. Both provide opportunity and promise that differ though in temperament. Scotland offers a faster paced, high income earning setting while the Silver Coast offers a laid back kind of lifestyle at reasonable cost. Between the two, what you want to achieve is the guiding factor in making your choice. Hopefully, you can be able to make the choice based on your situation.