General InformationGeographical SituationLisbon is the capital of Portugal and lies on the north bank of the Tagus Estuary, on the European Atlantic coast. It is the westernmost city in continental Europe. Greater Lisbon has an area of approximately 1000 km2. The city lies approximately 300 km from the Algarve in the south and 400 km from the northern border with Spain. Lisbon offers a wide variety of options to the visitor, including beaches, countryside, mountains and areas of historical interest only a few kilometres away from the city centre. LanguagePortuguese is Latin in origin and the third most widely spoken European language in the world. It is the mother tongue of about 200 million people. Portuguese language is spoken in several countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa, Brazil in South America, Macau, Timor, Goa, Daman and Diu in Asia. In Portugal itself a considerable number of people can understand and communicate in foreign languages. Symposium LanguageEnglish will be the official language of the ISEO2012. There will be no simultaneous translation. Demographical InformationApproximately 600000 people live in Lisboa. However, if one includes the various satellite towns, the population of Greater Lisboa rises to approximately 1.9 million people. ClimateDue to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisboa has a pleasant climate throughout the year. The agreeable temperatures in the summer months are an open invitation for a walk by the river, or to spend an afternoon in one of the many street cafés to be found all over the city. Although the temperatures may fall somewhat in the autumn and winter months, sunshine is almost always a constant feature. ElectricityVoltage: 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hertz. All sockets follow European standards. To use American-type plugs, a 220 V transformer should be used together with an adapter plug. CurrencyThe unit of currency in Portugal is the Euro (€). VisaParticipants requiring an entry visa for Portugal are advised to make their application in their home country at least two months prior to the intended travel date. SchedulesOpening hours in Portugal are similar to those in the remaining European countries. The visitor has access to all normal services at any time of the day and on all days of the week - not only in Lisboa, but also in the rest of the country. Pharmacies keep the same opening hours as other the shops but, in order to guarantee 24 h services, some stay open after 7 p.m. Generally speaking, restaurants are open for lunch from 12 noon to 3 p.m and for dinner from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Travel to LisbonLisboa is easy to get to. It is a short flight away from most European cities, and is just as easily accessible by road, railway or sea. By AirLisboa International Airport, 7 km from the city centre, has daily flights to and from the major cities in Europe and the world. The Portuguese airline TAP - Air Portugal, as well as major international airlines, fly to and from Lisboa. By RoadArriving in Lisboa by road is a pleasant experience, as the visitor can enjoy the beautiful countryside along the way. The city has good road accesses and the most frequently used routes are: the A1 motorway. the 25th April Bridge, the new Vasco da Gama Bridge, and the CREL, the outer ring-road for the Lisboa region. By RailScores of national and international trains arrive in Lisboa every day. In addition to Santa Apolónia terminal station, the city now has the new Gare do Oriente, which opened in 1998 adjacent to the Parque das Nações. Both stations have direct bus or underground connections to the city centre. By SeaThe Port of Lisboa is the busiest port on the European Atlantic coast. It has three terminals for cruise ships: the Alcântara, Rocha de Conde d’Óbidos and the Santa Apolónia terminals. Lisboa is often a port of call for many cruise ships (coming from many different places). Furthermore, the city also has marinas for pleasure boats in the docks of Belém, Santo Amaro, Bom Sucesso. Alcântara and, most recently, the Olivais Docks. Public TransportsAn extensive network of 90 bus routes covers the entire city and outskirts. One of the quickest ways to travel in Lisboa is by Metro. It covers almost the whole city and next to most big hotels you will find a metro station. Besides the comfort, one will be surprised when admiring true chefs d’oeuvre in each station. You cannot speak about public transportation in Lisboa without mentioning the Tram. Having lost the importance of old times, it keeps the same fascination and goes on being a symbol of the city. In the region of Lisboa, one of the most common means of transportation is the ferry-boat (Cacilheiro), mainly to connect both sides of the river. Taxi Voucher ServiceThis service is available to passengers arriving at Lisboa Airport who wish to travel by taxi. The service operates with vouchers on sale at the Turismo de Lisboa counter, located in the airport terminal. The price of the voucher depends on the distance of the trip or length of time, as well as on the type of service required: normal or personalized (in the former, the driver is trained to speak foreign languages and acts as tourist guide). We strongly recommend getting the voucher in order to get a fair price. Lisboa CardA visitor's card for Lisboa is, in fact, the easiest and most convenient way of getting to know the city of Lisboa, in an autonomous way. It is a card which, in general terms, allows free and illimited travel in the underground, on Carris buses, trams, lifts, and on CP trains between Cais do Sodré and Belém, as well as free admission to 26 museums, historic buildings and other places of interest. Means of conveyance to the Symposium venue
Insurance / LiabilityThe Organizers are in no respect responsible for any accommodation problem, nor for any accident, injury, theft, loss and property damage to any person during the Symposium.
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