Ana Paula De Almeida is flanked by Miss Brazil (the winner) and Guyana (3rd runner-up)

The year 2011 is some sort of revelation for Portugal. It has cemented what most have long suspected - it is a sleeping beauty superpower. However, Miss World seems to be the Achilles Heel of Portugal. The only time that this Iberian country made it to the semifinals of the pageant was in 1971 with Ana Paula De Almeida clinching the 2nd runner-up title.

This year, under the stewardship of Isidro de Brito, Miss Republica Portuguesa will announce its winner tomorrow, March 10. The selected queen will compete at Miss World 2012 pageant to be held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China.

Here's a quick look at the Portuguese delegate at Miss World in this millennium.

Miss World Portugal 2000 Gilda Dias Pé-Curto

Miss World Portugal 2001 Claudia Jesus Lopez Borges

Miss World Portugal 2003 Vanessa Job

Miss World Portugal 2004 Patricia Oliveira Raposa De Oliveira

Miss World Portugal 2005 Angela Maria Fonseca Spinola

Miss World Portugal 2006 Sara Sofia Almeida Dias Leite

Miss World Portugal 2008 Andréia Rodrigues Condesso

Miss World Portugal 2009 Marta Ferriera Cadilha

Miss World Portugal 2010 Catarina Isabel da Silva Aragonez

Miss World Portugal 2011 Barbara Franco

Which among the contestants do you think is the best?