Portugal

Why it sticks

1. 1

   Cabo da Roca, near Lisbon, is the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

2. 2

   Portugal's border with Spain, largely fixed in 1297, is one of the oldest in Europe.

3. 3

   Its alliance with England, dating back to 1373, is the oldest alliance still in force.

• Licence plates have the EU strip "P" and, on older plates, a yellow strip on the right with the year.
• Portuguese with ã, õ and ç; streets are "Rua".
• Eucalyptus forests, whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs and tiled (azulejo) facades.
• Patterned black-and-white cobblestone pavements (calçada).