The name “Portugal” comes from the Latin word “portus” which means “port” or “harbor.” The name is believed to have been chosen because of the country’s location on the Atlantic coast, as Portugal has a long history as a maritime nation and has many ports and harbors along its coastline. The name “Portugal” was officially adopted in 1143, when the Kingdom of Portugal was founded. The country’s name has remained unchanged since then, and it is now officially known as the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa in Portuguese).