Lisbon, one of the most important ports of call in 15th century Europe, retains the romantic mystique of asea-going city. The Atlantic lends great beauty to the shores, and the legacy of centuries of multi-ethnictravelers congregating here from all over the world is retained in Lisbon's unique melting-pot of inhabitants. Baixa is the main shopping and commercial district of Lisbon, with most of Lisbon's finer and trendy shops, coffee houses and outdoor cafes. Belem, Portuguese for Bethlehem, was Lisbon's original port, where bold sea explorers sailed into the unknown and returned with the bounty which made Lisbon the richest European capital in the world until the 19th century.