(Redirected from Political divisions of Portugal)''This article describes the 'subdivisions of
Portugal'.''
Until the early 2000s, Portugal was divided into
districts (''distritos'', singular: ''distrito''),
municipalities (''municÃpios'', singular: ''municÃpio'', also known as '
concelho') and
civil parishes ('
freguesias'), only the last two having some political autonomy. This political division had been subject to many attempts to create a more "logical" and practical division in order to better reflect the economical, cultural and demographic reality. A public consultation through a
referendum in
1999 was made in order to create statutary and political regions with some degree of autonomy, but was rejected in the polls.
Today, according to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic the political subdivisions of the Portuguese territory are the (referended) regions (''regiões'' - singular: ''região'') - not yet implemented, the municipalities (''municÃpios'', singular: ''municÃpio'') and the civil parishes (''freguesias'', singular: ''freguesia''). However, according to Law No. 11/2003 of May 13, the municipalities are allowed to organize themselves into intermunicipal communities (''comunidades intermunicipais'', singular: ''comunidade intermunicipal''), that can be of general or specific purposes; and metropolitan areas (''áreas metropolitanas'', singular: ''área metropolitana''), that can be of two types: great metropolitan areas (''grandes áreas metropolitanas'', singular: ''grande área metropolitana'') and urban communities (''comunidades urbanas'', singular: ''comunidade urbana''). The existence of the political subdivision of "district" is now disappearing. However they are still relevant, serving as a base for a number of administrative divisions.
On the other hand, the
Portuguese territory was reorganized in accordance with a system of statistical regions and subregions known as
N.U.T.S. (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) that are the basis of the statistical system of information for the entire
European Union.
Districts
The district, although in process of being phased out because of the decentralization process, remain as the most relevant subdivision of the country, serving as a base for a series of administrative divisions like the electoral circles or the
district football associations. There are 18 districts in
mainland Portugal:
NUTS
The '
Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS)' Regions, comprising three levels, are instrumental in
European Union's
Structural Fund delivery mechanisms. The standard was developed by the
European Union, and thus only covers the
member states of the EU in detail. It has been extensively used by the EU's national governments,
Eurostat and other EU bodies for statistical and policy matters.
[1][2]
NUTS I
The first and broadest subdivision of Portugal is between '
Mainland Portugal' and the
autonomous regions of '
Azores' and '
Madeira' archipelagos. This subdivision corresponds to NUTS I.
NUTS II and III: regions and subregions
Although the districts are still the most relevant subdivision, the regions are growing in importance, and gaining some autonomy and power. Portugal is divided into five regions, administered by the
Commissions for Coordination and Regional Development (''Comissões de Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Regional'') in
mainland Portugal, plus the two autonomous regions that are their own NUTS II regions. These 7 regions are subdivided into 30 subregions (''subregiões'', singular: ''subregião'') with statistical relevance only. Each region is listed (north to south) with its subregions (alphabetically) indented below.
Map showing the 30 subregions of mainland Portugal (NUTS III).
★ '
Norte' (8)
★
★
Alto Trás-os-Montes
★
★
Ave
★
★
Cávado
★
★
Douro
★
★
Entre Douro e Vouga
★
★
Grande Porto
★
★
Minho-Lima
★
★
Tâmega
★ '
Centro' (12)
★
★
Baixo Mondego
★
★
Baixo Vouga
★
★
Beira Interior Norte
★
★
Beira Interior Sul
★
★
Cova da Beira
★
★
Dão-Lafões
★
★
Médio Tejo
★
★
Oeste
★
★
Pinhal Interior Norte
★
★
Pinhal Interior Sul
★
★
Pinhal Litoral
★
★
Serra da Estrela
★ '
Lisboa' (2)
★
★
Grande Lisboa
★
★
PenÃnsula de Setúbal
★ '
Alentejo' (5)
★
★
Alentejo Central
★
★
Alentejo Litoral
★
★
Alto Alentejo
★
★
Baixo Alentejo
★
★
LezÃria do Tejo
★ '
Algarve' (1)
★
★
Algarve
★ '
Autonomous Region of Azores' (1)
★
★
Autonomous Region of Azores
★ '
Autonomous Region of Madeira' (1)
★
★
Autonomous Region of Madeira
These regions are the Portuguese
NUTS II subdivisions, based not at the
district level, but at the
municipal one, leading to large inconsistencies between district and region limits.
The two Autonomous Regions ('regiões autónomas', singular ''região autónoma''), in the
Atlantic Ocean, correspond to NUTS I, II and III.
LAU I and II: municipalities and civil parishes
Municipalities and civil parishes were at NUTS IV and V levels, but these nomenclature units have being abolished and substituted by
LAU's. So, today the municipality is at LAU 1 level and the civil parish is at LAU 2 level.
There are 308 municipalities in Portugal, that are colloquially known by councils (''
concelhos'', singular: ''concelho''). Like the districts, the municipalities are usually named for its biggest city, or at least, of its historical most important city or town, however, the municipality is, usually, much larger than the city or town after which it is named.
The municipality has been the most stable subdivision of Portugal. They have great importance as they hold the local administrative and executive power. Since the creation of a democratic local administration in 1976, after the
Carnation revolution of
April 25,
1974, the Portuguese municipalities have been ruled by a bicameral system. The
municipal chamber (''câmaras municipais'', singular: ''câmara municipal'') is the executive body, and is composed by the president of the municipality and a number of councillors proportional to the municipality's population. The
municipal assembly (''assembleias municipais'', singular: ''assembleia municipal'') is composed by the presidents of all the civil parishes plus one.
The 308 municipalities are further divided into 4,261
civil parishes, each one governed by their civil parish juntas (''juntas de freguesia'', singular: ''junta de freguesia'').
Metropolitan areas and intermunicipal communities
The present (as of 2006) political intentions are to create a territorial division based on association. This system, while requiering territorial continuity, allows for the free association between neighbouring municipalities to form an entity with some degree of autonomy from the central government.
Great Metropolitan Areas
The
Greater Metropolitan Areas are territorial units formed by grouping municipalities. Their purpose is to economize on municipal investments and services. New Portuguese laws approved in May 2003 give the metropolitan areas greater autonomy. They are required to include at least nine municipalities with a total of at least 350,000 inhabitants.
Lisbon (Lisboa)
The '
Lisbon Metropolitan Area' consists of 18 municipalities (largest to smallest, by population):
Lisbon,
Sintra,
Loures,
Amadora,
Cascais,
Oeiras,
Almada,
Seixal,
Odivelas,
Vila Franca de Xira,
Setúbal,
Barreiro,
Moita,
Mafra,
Palmela,
Montijo,
Sesimbra, and
Alcochete. By the 2001 census, its population was 2,547,665 inhabitants. It is also known as ''Grande Lisboa'' (Greater Lisbon), but this term, normally, refers to the territory north of the
Tagus river. The capital is
Lisbon.
Porto
'
Greater Porto' consists of 14 municipalities (largest to smallest, by population):
Vila Nova de Gaia,
Porto,
Matosinhos,
Gondomar,
Santa Maria da Feira,
Maia,
Valongo,
Vila do Conde,
Santo Tirso,
Póvoa de Varzim,
Trofa,
Espinho,
Arouca and
São João da Madeira. By the 2001 census, its population was 1,509,958 inhabitants and the capital is
Oporto.
Oliveira de Azeméis and
Vale de Cambra will soon join Greater Porto.
Minho
The
Greater Metropolitan Area of Minho has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Braga,
Guimarães,
Vila Nova de Famalicão,
Barcelos,
Fafe,
Vila Verde,
Vizela,
Celorico de Basto,
Amares,
Cabeceiras de Basto,
Vieira do Minho and
Terras de Bouro.
Braga is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 754,830 inhabitants.
Aveiro
The
Greater Metropolitan Area of Aveiro has 13 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Aveiro,
Oliveira de Azeméis,
Ovar,
Ãgueda,
Ãlhavo,
Anadia,
Estarreja,
Vale de Cambra,
Albergaria-a-Velha,
Vagos,
Oliveira do Bairro,
Sever do Vouga and
Murtosa.
Aveiro is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 460,157 inhabitants. Both
Oliveira de Azeméis and
Vale de Cambra will soon exit Greater Metropolitan Area of Aveiro.
Coimbra
The
Greater Metropolitan Area of Coimbra has 16 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Coimbra,
Figueira da Foz,
Cantanhede,
Montemor-o-Velho,
Soure,
Mealhada,
Penacova,
Lousã,
Condeixa-a-Nova,
Miranda do Corvo,
Mira,
Tábua,
Mortágua,
Vila Nova de Poiares,
Penela and
Góis.
By the 2001 census, its population was 430,845 inhabitants.
Algarve
The
Greater Metropolitan Area of the Algarve has 16 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Loulé,
Faro,
Portimão,
Olhão,
Silves,
Albufeira,
Lagos,
Tavira,
Lagoa,
Vila Real de Santo António,
São Brás de Alportel,
Monchique,
Castro Marim,
Aljezur,
Vila do Bispo and
Alcoutim.
Faro is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 391,819 inhabitants.
Viseu
The
Greater Metropolitan Area of Viseu has 21 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Viseu,
Tondela,
Seia,
Mangualde,
São Pedro do Sul,
Castro Daire,
Gouveia,
Nelas,
Sátão,
Santa Comba Dão,
Vouzela,
Moimenta da Beira,
Oliveira de Frades,
Carregal do Sal,
Penalva do Castelo,
Tarouca,
Aguiar da Beira,
Sernancelhe,
Vila Nova de Paiva,
Fornos de Algodres and
Penedono.
Viseu is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 354,162 inhabitants.
Urban Communities
They are also metropolitan areas, but smaller.
Oeste
'
Oeste' (
Eng. ''West'') is a community northwest of Lisbon in the central-litoral part of Portugal. The capital is
Caldas da Rainha and it has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Torres Vedras,
Alcobaça,
Caldas da Rainha,
Alenquer,
Peniche,
Lourinhã,
Nazaré,
Cadaval,
Bombarral,
Óbidos,
Arruda dos Vinhos and
Sobral de Monte Agraço.
By the 2001 census, its population was 338,747 inhabitants.
Vale do Sousa
'
Vale do Sousa' is a community just east of Oporto, the first to be formed (January
2004) and it has a growing economical and industrial environment. Vale do Sousa consists of 6 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Paredes,
Penafiel,
Felgueiras,
Paços de Ferreira,
Lousada and
Castelo de Paiva.
Penafiel is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 327,768 inhabitants.
Leiria
It has 8 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Leiria,
Pombal,
Ourém,
Marinha Grande,
Porto de Mós,
Batalha,
Ansião and
Alvaiázere.
Leiria is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 317,271 inhabitants.
LezÃria do Tejo
It has 11 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Santarém,
Cartaxo,
Benavente,
Almeirim,
Coruche,
Rio Maior,
Azambuja,
Salvaterra de Magos,
Chamusca,
Alpiarça and
Golegã.
Santarém is the capital.
By the 2001 census, its population was 240,322 inhabitants.
Baixo Alentejo
It is the largest political division of Portugal (by area) and has 18 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Beja,
Santiago do Cacém,
Odemira,
Serpa,
Moura,
Grândola,
Alcácer do Sal,
Sines,
Aljustrel,
Ferreira do Alentejo,
Mértola,
Almodôvar,
Castro Verde,
Ourique,
Vidigueira,
Cuba,
Alvito and
Barrancos.
By the 2001 census, its population was 234,481 inhabitants. The capital is Beja.
Trás-os-Montes
It occupies the northeastern area of Portugal and has 15 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Chaves,
Bragança,
Mirandela,
Valpaços,
Macedo de Cavaleiros,
Vila Pouca de Aguiar,
Montalegre,
Mogadouro,
Vinhais,
Miranda do Douro,
Ribeira de Pena,
Boticas,
Alfândega da Fé,
Vimioso and
Freixo de Espada à Cinta
The capital is
Bragança and by the 2001 census, its population was 227,883 inhabitants.
Valimar
Valimar is a community, north of Oporto (formed March
2004) in the historical region of Entre-Douro-e-Minho. Its name suggest sea (Port. ''mar''), Valleys (Port. ''vale'') and Lima River. Valimar gathers 6 municipalities:
Arcos de Valdevez,
Caminha,
Esposende,
Ponte da Barca,
Ponte de Lima and
Viana do Castelo. The capital of the community is Ponte de Lima. By the 2001 census, its population was 220,799 inhabitants. ???
Centro Alentejo
It has 16 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Évora,
Elvas,
Montemor-o-Novo,
Estremoz,
Vendas Novas,
Reguengos de Monsaraz,
Vila Viçosa,
Campo Maior,
Borba,
Arraiolos,
Redondo,
Portel,
Alandroal,
Mora,
Viana do Alentejo and
Mourão. The capital is
Évora. By the 2001 census, its population was 204,798 inhabitants.
Baixo Tâmega
It has 7 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Amarante,
Marco de Canavezes,
Baião,
Cinfães,
Celorico de Basto,
Resende and
Mondim de Basto. The capital is
Amarante. By the 2001 census, its population was 198,058 inhabitants.
Douro
It has 15 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Vila Real,
Lamego,
Peso da Régua,
Alijó,
Torre de Moncorvo,
São João da Pesqueira,
Santa Marta de Penaguião,
Vila Nova de Foz Côa,
Vila Flor,
Carrazeda de Ansiães,
Armamar,
Sabrosa,
Tabuaço,
Murça and
Mesão Frio. The capital is
Vila Real. By the 2001 census, its population was 195,203 inhabitants.
Médio Tejo
It has 11 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Tomar,
Abrantes,
Torres Novas,
Entroncamento,
Alcanena,
Ferreira do Zêzere,
Mação,
Vila Nova da Barquinha,
Sardoal,
Constância and
Vila de Rei. The capital is
Tomar. By the 2001 census, its population was 191,617 inhabitants.
Beiras
It has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Covilhã,
Guarda,
Sabugal,
Pinhel,
Trancoso,
Celorico da Beira,
Almeida,
Belmonte,
Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo,
Penamacor,
Meda and
Manteigas. The capital is
Guarda. By the 2001 census, its population was 183,592 inhabitants.
Intermunicipal communities
Pinhal
Pinhal (
Eng. ''Pinewood'') has 7 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Oliveira do Hospital,
Sertã,
Arganil,
Figueiró dos Vinhos,
Pampilhosa da Serra,
Pedrógão Grande and
Castanheira de Pêra. The capital is
Sertã. By the 2001 census, its population was 73,185 inhabitants.
Vale do Minho
The Minho Valley Community has 5 municipalities (largest to smallest):
Monção,
Valença,
Melgaço,
Paredes de Coura and
Vila Nova de Cerveira. The capital is
Valença. By the 2001 census, its population was 62,373 inhabitants.
Undefined areas
So far (May, 2004), there are still to be defined the municipalities of:
★ Beira Interior Sul
Not a definitive list:
Castelo Branco,
Fundão,
Idanha-a-Nova,
Proença-a-Nova,
Oleiros,
Vila Velha de Ródão. The total population is 119,263, by the 2001 census.
★ Alto Alentejo
Not a definitive list:
Portalegre,
Ponte de Sor,
Nisa,
Sousel,
Avis,
Gavião,
Crato,
Marvão,
Alter do Chão,
Castelo de Vide,
Fronteira,
Monforte and
Arronches.
The total population is 95,086 by the 2001 census.
Autonomous regions
Since
1978, Portugal conceded political autonomy to its archipelagos (Madeira and Azores) due to the great distance from Lisbon. The regional autonomies have Regional Governments that are constituted by the ''Presidente do Governo Regional'' (Regional Government President) and by ''Secretários Regionais'' (Regional Secretaries).
Azores
The '
Azores' (Açores, in Portuguese) is an archipelago of nine islands and some islets discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Azores lies a third of the distance between
Europe and
North America. Located on the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Azores has the only active volcano in Portugal, although there are several underwater volcanoes. The Azores also has the highest mountain in Portugal, Pico (2,351 meters).
The Azorian parliament is located in the town of
Horta on
Faial Island the political capital of the islands, but
Ponta Delgada on
São Miguel Island is seen as the capital of the islands, while
Angra do HeroÃsmo on
Terceira Island is considered as the historical and cultural capital.
Pico Island has vineyards protected by UNESCO and classified as a World Heritage site.
Madeira
'
Madeira' is an
archipelago formed by two islands — Madeira and
Porto Santo — plus two smaller groups of islands —
Desertas and
Savage (in Portuguese, ''Selvagens''). The archipelago is closer to
Africa than Europe. Madeira has a unique kind of
forest (Floresta
Laurisilva) known in Portugal as ''Pérola do Atântico'' (Pearl of the Atlantic) because of its natural beauty. It is now protected by
UNESCO as a
World Heritage Site.
The main city of Madeira is
Funchal.
Former regions
Before
1976, Portugal was divided in regions (''regiões'', singular ''região'') or provinces (''provÃncias'', singular ''provÃncia''). There was a substantial difference between the European provinces and regions and the overseas colonies (the so-called overseas provinces). Following the
Carnation Revolution, the regions and provinces were abolished and the districts became the second level administrative regions.
Historical provinces of Portugal
Provinces/Regions (1936–1976)
★
Algarve
★
★ District of
Faro
★
Alentejo
★
Baixo Alentejo (Lower Alentejo)
★
★ District of
Beja
★
★ District of
Setúbal (southern half)
★
Alto Alentejo (Upper Alentejo)
★
★ District of
Évora
★
★ District of
Portalegre (except the municipality of
Ponte de Sôr)
★
Estremadura (do not confuse with Spain's
Extremadura)
★
★ District of
Lisboa (Lisbon) - except the municipalities of
Azambuja and
Vila Franca de Xira
★
★ District of
Setúbal (northern half)
★
★ District of
Leiria (southern half)
★
Ribatejo
★
★ District of
Santarém (except the municipalities of
Ourém and
Mação)
★
★ District of
Lisboa (Lisbon) - just the municipalities of
Azambuja and
Vila Franca de Xira
★
★ District of
Portalegre (just the municipality of
Ponte de Sôr)
★
Beira Litoral
★
★ District of
Coimbra (except for the municipalities of
Pampilhosa da Serra,
Oliveira do Hospital and
Tábua)
★
★ District of
Leiria (northern half)
★
★ District of
Aveiro (except for the municipalities of
Arouca,
Castelo de Paiva,
Espinho and
Santa Maria da Feira)
★
★ District of
Santarém (just the municipality of
Ourém)
★
Beira Baixa (Lower Beira)
★
★ District of
Castelo Branco
★
★ District of
Santarém (just the municipality of
Mação)
★
★ District of
Coimbra (just the municipality of
Pampilhosa da Serra)
★
Beira Alta (Upper Beira)
★
★ District of
Guarda (except for the municipality of
Vila Nova de Foz Côa)
★
★ District of
Viseu (except for the municipalities of
Cinfães,
Resende,
Armamar,
Lamego,
São João da Pesqueira and
Tabuaço)
★
★ District of
Coimbra (just the municipalities of
Oliveira do Hospital and
Tábua)
★
Douro Litoral
★
★ District of
Porto (Oporto)
★
★ District of
Aveiro (just the municipalities of
Arouca,
Castelo de Paiva,
Espinho and
Santa Maria da Feira)
★
★ District of
Viseu (just the municipalities of
Cinfães and
Resende)
★
Minho
★
★ District of
Braga
★
★ District of
Viana do Castelo
★
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Trás-os-Montes and Upper Douro)
★
★ District of
Vila Real
★
★ District of
Bragança (Braganza)
★
★ District of
Guarda (just the municipality of
Vila Nova de Foz Côa)
★
★ District of
Viseu (just the municipalities of
Armamar,
Lamego,
São João da Pesqueira and
Tabuaço)
★
Açores (Azores)
★
★ District of
Ponta Delgada
★
★ District of
Angra do HeroÃsmo
★
★ District of
Horta
★
Madeira
★
★ District of
Funchal
Overseas Provinces
:''See:
Portuguese Empire''
★
Angola - overseas province (1951-1975). Independence in 1975.
★
Cabo Verde/Cape Verde - overseas province (1951-1974);
autonomous republic (1974-1975). Independence in 1975.
★
Guiné Portuguesa/Portuguese Guinea - overseas province (1951-1974). Unilateral independence as Guinea Bissau declared in 1973, recognised by Portugal in 1974.
★
Macau/Macao - overseas province (1844-1883); combined overseas province with Portuguese Timor under
Goa (1883-1951); overseas province (1951-1975); special territory (1975-1999). Returned to
China as a
special administrative region in 1999.
★
(Moçambique/Portuguese East Africa) - overseas province (1951-1974); local administration (1974-1975). Independence in 1975.
★
Ãndia Portuguesa/Portuguese India - overseas province (1946-1962). Annexed by
India in 1962 and recognised by Portugal in 1974.
★
São Tomé e PrÃncipe - overseas province (1951-1971); local administration (1971-1975). Independent in 1975.
★
Timor Português/Portuguese Timor - overseas territory (1951-1961); unilateral independence as East Timor proclaimed in
1975, annexed by
Indonesia in
1976. (Recognised by
UN as non-self-governing-territory under Portuguese administration between 1961-1999). UN administration from
1999 until independence in
2002.
Note: ''
Brazil became a
kingdom as part of the
United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarve (''Reino Unido de Portugal, Brasil e Algarve(s)'' 1815-1822), independence in 1822.''
Notes and references
1. Instituto Nacional de EstatÃstica (Portuguese language) - Nomenclatura das Unidades Territoriais para fins EstatÃsticos 2002, accessed May 2006
2. Sistema Nacional de Informação Geográfica (Portuguese language) - Biblioteca de Mapas Administrativos, accessed May 2006
See also
★
Regions, Sub-Regions and Municipalities of Portugal
★
★
List of municipalities of Portugal (
Portuguese: ''concelhos'')
★
★
★
List of parishes of Portugal (
Portuguese: ''freguesias'')
★
List of cities in Portugal
★
List of towns in Portugal
External links
★
Lisbon Metropolitan Area
★
Greater Porto
★
Madeira's Regional Government
★
Azores' Regional Government
★
Current and Former Colonies and Possessions of Portugual from World Statesmen
★
Map
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