According to varying reports, the city was founded either by Phoenecians or Greeks. The Greeks knew it as "Olissipo", derived from Ulysses; over time, this became "Olissipona", "Lissapona" and finally the modern Portuguese "Lisboa".
The city was part of Roman Lusitania (although not the capital), was taken by Moors in the Eighth Century (approximately 711), was reconquered 1147 by Dom Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (with the help of crusader Gilbert of Hastings, who became the first Bishop of Lisbon), and has been the capital of Portugal since 1260.
Lisbon is situated at 38 degrees, 43 minutes north, and 9 degrees, 8 mintes west. It is located in the west of the country, on the Atlantic coast at the point where the river Tagus (Portuguese Tejo) flows into the ocean.
The historic centre of Lisbon is built on seven hills, making some of the city's streets too steep for motor vehicles; the city is served by three funicular services and one elevator. The western side of the city is mainly occupied by the Monsanto Natural Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world.