Administrative divisions of Portugal

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This article describes the subdivisions of Portugal.

Until the early 2000s, Portugal was divided into districts (distritos, singular: distrito), municipalities (municípios, singular: município, 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 (municípios, singular: município) 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.

Contents

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:

  1. Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese)
  2. Leiria
  3. Santarém
  4. Setúbal
  5. Beja
  6. Faro
  7. Évora
  8. Portalegre
  9. Castelo Branco
  10. Guarda
  11. Coimbra
  12. Aveiro
  13. Viseu
  14. Bragança
  15. Vila Real
  16. Oporto (Porto in Portuguese)
  17. Braga
  18. Viana do Castelo
Map of Districts of Portugal

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]

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.

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 mainland Portugal and the two autonomous regions (NUTS I) and the seven regions of Portugal (NUTS II).
Map showing mainland Portugal and the two autonomous regions (NUTS I) and the seven regions of Portugal (NUTS II).
Map showing the 30 subregions of mainland Portugal (NUTS III).
Map showing the 30 subregions of mainland Portugal (NUTS III).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Greater Metropolitan Area of Aveiro has 13 municipalities (largest to smallest): Aveiro, Oliveira de Azeméis, Ovar, Águeda, Ílhavo, 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.

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.

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.

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.

They are also metropolitan areas, but smaller.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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. ???

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 Heroísmo 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 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.

Before 1976, Portugal was divided in regions (regiões, singular região) or provinces (províncias, singular província). 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
Historical provinces of Portugal

See: Portuguese Empire

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.

  1. ^ Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Portuguese language) - Nomenclatura das Unidades Territoriais para fins Estatísticos 2002, accessed May 2006
  2. ^ Sistema Nacional de Informação Geográfica (Portuguese language) - Biblioteca de Mapas Administrativos, accessed May 2006

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