Portugal is a founding member of NATO and hosts the strategic Azores
Background
NATO's own history page says Portugal was among the founding members when it joined in 1949. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 1949. The Azores lie about one-third of the way between Lisbon and New York. Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island served NATO and U.S. forces during the Cold War.
Treaty signed at:
Washington, D.C.
Air base:
Lajes, Terceira Island
Why it matters for exams: NATO founding membership is a standard question; the Azores link explains why Portugal mattered to the alliance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization — A transatlantic military alliance formed by the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty.