The conference will be held at the Pavilhão Atlântico, located in the Parque das Nações, on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. The Pavilhão Atlântico is the ideal venue for a vast offering of sporting and cultural events and private functions. The facility features all the latest in sophisticated state-of-the-art arena equipment, just as one would expect of a world-class site. The Atlantic Pavilion comprises two large auditoriums - the Atlantic Hall and the Tagus Hall - which can either be used separately or together, thanks to their fully independent yet compatible operational and energy systems design. PIMRC 2002 conference will be held at the Tagus Hall.

The Parque das Nações site was developed for the Last World Exposition of the 20th Century, EXPO'98, and covers 5 km of river front on the Tagus River estuary. Designed as a public space, it is a self-contained urban whole, with residential quarters, stores, services, urban infrastructure, parking facilities and gardens. The fact that all activities held in this site prior to EXPO'98 were ceased on behalf of this project meant that urban planning could focus from scratch on the needs of an ideal city. EXPO'98 was more than just a chance for improving the environment and urban renewal in that zone; it was also an opportunity to both modernize and internationalize Lisbon.

Please follow the link to obtain further information on how to arrive, where to park, where to eat, or what to visit on your spare time.

Portugal is located on the west side of the Iberian Peninsula, along the Atlantic East coast. In its entirety, Portugal occupies an area of about 92 000 km2, including the islands of Madeira and Azores, in the Atlantic. Portugal has a population of about 10 million people. The capital is Lisbon with a population of 1.5 million.

Known for its sunny beaches, Porto wine, or typical Fado music, Portugal is a chosen destination for many holidaymakers, an ideal place for practicing water sports and playing golf, offering modern tourism facilities. A member-country of the European Union since 1986, it currently enjoys a steady economic growth. For centuries Portugal has kept this greatest treasure: a renowned reputation of hospitality that makes the country a haven of congeniality and safety.

The history of this geographical area is rather long, spanning from the Palaeolithic period 7000 BC into the dawn of civilization. At the end of the Neolithic period, starting 1200 BC and for almost 2500 years, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Visigoths and the Arabs successively invaded and settled in the Iberian Peninsula. The latter remained in control until the 11th century when Ferdinand, ruler of the kingdom of Leon and Castile, conquered much of the territory. An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal established its continental frontiers in 1297 and is one of the oldest nations in Europe. Portugal became a major player in Europe at the age of the discoveries in the 15th century, when it developed and mastered the nautical science and discovered new lands, setting new trade routes to as far as India and Japan.

The monarchy was overthrown in 1910 by republican forces. A stable democracy started in 1975.

You may find here additional information about Portugal and Lisbon.