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Traditionally, women's work was classified as child care and housekeeping.
Today most women in Portugal work outside the home and participate in all sectors of the
economy. Organized labour constitutes more than one-half the work force. Occupations for men and women are primarily in the service sector, in industry and in agriculture. |
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| Production of textiles is the leading manufacturing activity in Portugal. Cotton is the most important type of textile produced. Other leading manufactured goods are food products, paper products, clothing and electrical machinery. Portuguese factories also produce cement, ceramics, cork products and fertilizers. |
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Portugal has valuable mineral resources. An important mineral resource
is building stone which is found throughout the country. Decorative marble is the most valuable
type of building stone quarried in Portugal. Portugal's major agricultural crops are grains, potatoes, olives, almonds and grapes. Portugal is known for the quality of its grapes, which are used to make fine wine and port. All agricultural products must meet the standards of the European Economic Community. Most farmers own their own farms, but in the south there are large, state-owned collective farms. The villages on the coast rely on the fishing industry. Tourism is also an important industry in the coastal areas and cities. |