Lisbon is a hilly city that spreads out from an inner city core, by the river, that is full of ancient buildings built around narrow and crooky cobbled streets. There are churches, palaces, and castles dating from the 1600's, 1400's, and even the 1100's and older.
Presently (1998), the tallest buildings in Lisbon average 20 stories in height and they are located in the uptown area.
Due to Lisbon's mild climate, modern central air-conditioning systems are just now coming into common use. For heating and cooking purposes, gas is piped via underground pipes to most sections of the city.
The downtown city core is full of wall-to-wall multi-story commercial buildings which are built with masonry walls and large wooden interior beams and columns. Outside the city core area,apartment buildings and single family homes are located throughout most areas of the city.
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