Administrative divisions of Portugal 423755 224606515 2008-07-09T17:01:56Z Chris the speller 525927 sp, spaces ''This article describes the '''subdivisions of [[Portugal]]'''.'' Until the early 2000s, Portugal was divided into [[district]]s (''distritos'', singular: ''distrito''), [[municipality|municipalities]] (''[[Municipalities of Portugal|municípios]]'', singular: ''município'', also known as '''[[concelho]]''') and [[civil parish]]es ('''[[freguesia]]s'''), 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 statutory 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''{{ndash}} singular: ''região''){{ndash}} 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 [[Portugal|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== <!-- This section is linked from [[Azores]] --> 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 [[Portuguese District Football Associations|district football associations]]. There are 18 districts in [[mainland Portugal]]: {| align="center" |----- | #[[Lisbon (district)|Lisbon]] (Lisboa in Portuguese) #[[Leiria (district)|Leiria]] #[[Santarém (district)|Santarém]] #[[Setúbal (district)|Setúbal]] #[[Beja (district)|Beja]] #[[Faro (district)|Faro]] #[[Évora (district)|Évora]] #[[Portalegre (district)|Portalegre]] #[[Castelo Branco (district)|Castelo Branco]] #[[Guarda (district)|Guarda]] #[[Coimbra (district)|Coimbra]] #[[Aveiro (district)|Aveiro]] #[[Viseu (district)|Viseu]] #[[Bragança (district)|Bragança]] #[[Vila Real (district)|Vila Real]] #[[Porto (district)|Oporto]] (Porto in Portuguese) #[[Braga (district)|Braga]] #[[Viana do Castelo (district)|Viana do Castelo]] | [[Image:PortugalNumbered.png|right|Map of Districts of 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 [[EU member states|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.<ref> [http://www.ine.pt/prodserv/nomenclaturas/pdf/Nexp-NUTS2002.pdf Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Portuguese language)]{{ndash}} Nomenclatura das Unidades Territoriais para fins Estatísticos 2002, accessed May 2006</ref><ref> [http://snig.igeo.pt/produtos/inicio_bim.html Sistema Nacional de Informação Geográfica (Portuguese language)]{{ndash}} Biblioteca de Mapas Administrativos, accessed May 2006</ref> ===NUTS I=== The first and broadest subdivision of Portugal is between '''[[Mainland Portugal]]''' and the [[autonomous region]]s 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. [[Image:Portugal NUTS II.svg|thumb|200px|right|Map showing [[mainland Portugal]] and the two [[autonomous regions]] (NUTS I) and the seven regions of [[Portugal]] (NUTS II).]][[Image:Portugal NUTS III.svg|thumb|200px|Map showing the 30 subregions of mainland Portugal (NUTS III).]] * '''[[Norte, Portugal|Norte]]''' (8) ** [[Alto Trás-os-Montes]] ** [[Ave, Subregion|Ave]] ** [[Cávado]] ** [[Douro, Subregion|Douro]] ** [[Entre Douro e Vouga]] ** [[Grande Porto]] ** [[Minho-Lima]] ** [[Tâmega, Subregion|Tâmega]] * '''[[Centro, Portugal|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, Subregion|Serra da Estrela]] * '''[[Lisboa, Region|Lisboa]]''' (2) ** [[Grande Lisboa]] ** [[Península de Setúbal]] * '''[[Alentejo]]''' (5) ** [[Alentejo Central]] ** [[Alentejo Litoral]] ** [[Alto Alentejo]] ** [[Baixo Alentejo]] ** [[Lezíria do Tejo]] * '''[[Algarve]]''' (1) ** [[Algarve]] * '''[[Açores|Autonomous Region of Azores]]''' (1) ** [[Açores|Autonomous Region of Azores]] * '''[[Madeira Islands|Autonomous Region of Madeira]]''' (1) ** [[Madeira Islands|Autonomous Region of Madeira]] These regions are the Portuguese [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] II subdivisions, based not at the [[districts of Portugal|district]] level, but at the [[Municipalities of Portugal|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 (''[[concelho]]s'', 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 [[Grande Área Metropolitana|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]]'''{GAM de Lisboa} consists of 18 municipalities(in two subregions:Grande Lisboa and Peninsula de Setubal). (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.Note:a subregion known as ''Grande Lisboa'' (Greater Lisbon),this term officially, refers to the southern Lisbon district territory, Peninsula de Setubal subregion includes the municipalities in northern Setubal district.(South of the [[Tagus]] river). The capital of the Greater Metropolitan Area is the densely populated city of [[Lisbon]].Other densely populated cities in the GAM de Lisboa are: Amadora, Odivelas, Almada, Setubal, Barreiro, Amora (Seixal municipality) and Agualva-Cacem & Queluz (both in Sintra municipality). Principal airport:Lisbon/Portela(LIS)in Lisbon and Loures. Chief ports:Lisbon,Setubal. ====Porto==== '''[[Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto]]''' consists of 14 municipalities (largest to smallest, by population): [[Vila Nova de Gaia]], [[Porto]], [[Matosinhos]], [[Gondomar, Portugal|Gondomar]], [[Santa Maria da Feira]], [[Maia]], [[Valongo]], [[Vila do Conde]], [[Santo Tirso]], [[Póvoa de Varzim]], [[Trofa]], [[Espinho]], [[Arouca, Portugal|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 GMA of 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]], [[Águeda]], [[Ílhavo]], [[Anadia (Portugal)|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, Portugal|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, Portugal|Faro]], [[Portimão]], [[Olhão]], [[Silves]], [[Albufeira]], [[Lagos]], [[Tavira]], [[Lagoa (Algarve)|Lagoa]], [[Vila Real de Santo António]], [[São Brás de Alportel]], [[Monchique]], [[Castro Marim]], [[Aljezur]], [[Vila do Bispo]] and [[Alcoutim]]. [[Faro, Portugal|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 and the largest city.Most of the Gam de Viseu,except for the cities os Viseu,Mangualde and Seia,are actually rural or semi-urban. By the 2001 census, its population was 354,162 inhabitants. ===Urban Communities=== They are also metropolitan areas, but smaller/with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants.. ====Oeste==== '''[[Oeste]]''' ([[English language|Eng.]] ''West'') is a community northwest of Lisbon in the central-litoral part of Portugal. The capital and largest city 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.The most populous city is Felgueiras. 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 as well the largest city. By the 2001 census, its population was 317,271 inhabitants. ====Lezíria do Tejo==== It has 11 municipalities (largest to smallest): [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]], [[Cartaxo]], [[Benavente, Portugal|Benavente]], [[Almeirim]], [[Coruche]], [[Rio Maior]], [[Azambuja]], [[Salvaterra de Magos]], [[Chamusca]], [[Alpiarça]] and [[Golegã]]. [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]] is the capital and largest city. 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, Portugal|Beja]], [[Santiago do Cacém]], [[Odemira]], [[Serpa]], [[Moura]], [[Grândola]], [[Alcácer do Sal]], [[Sines, Portugal|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 and largest city is Beja. ====Trás-os-Montes==== It occupies the northeastern area of Portugal and has 15 municipalities (largest to smallest): [[Chaves]], [[Bragança, Portugal|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 and largest city is [[Bragança, Portugal|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 largest(and only city)is Viana do Castelo.The capital of the community is town of 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 (Portugal)|Borba]], [[Arraiolos]], [[Redondo]], [[Portel]], [[Alandroal]], [[Mora, Portugal|Mora]], [[Viana do Alentejo]] and [[Mourão]]. The capital/largest city 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 and largest city 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/largest city 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]].The largest city is Entroncamento. By the 2001 census, its population was 191,617 inhabitants. ====Beiras==== It has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest): [[Covilhã]], [[Guarda]], [[Sabugal]], [[Pinhel]], [[Trancoso, Portugal|Trancoso]], [[Celorico da Beira]], [[Almeida]], [[Belmonte]], [[Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo]], [[Penamacor]], [[Meda]] and [[Manteigas]]. The capital and largest city is [[Guarda]],although Covilha is another important city . By the 2001 census, its population was 183,592 inhabitants. ===Intermunicipal communities=== ====Pinhal==== Pinhal ([[English language|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 the town of [[Sertã]]. By the 2001 census, its population was 73,185 inhabitants. Currently the largest(and only city)is Oliveira do Hospital.The largest town is Sertã. ====Vale do Minho==== The Minho Valley Community has 5 municipalities (largest to smallest): [[Monção]], [[Valença, Portugal |Valença]], [[Melgaço]], [[Paredes de Coura]] and [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]]. The capital is the town of Valença. By the 2001 census, its population was 62,373 inhabitants. Currently ther are no cities in this intermunicipal community. ===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.The capital,most likely would be the city of Castelo Branco. * Alto Alentejo Not a definitive list: [[Portalegre]], [[Ponte de Sor]], [[Nisa]], [[Sousel]], [[Avis (Portugal)|Avis]], [[Gavião]], [[Crato]], [[Marvão]], [[Alter do Chão]], [[Castelo de Vide]], [[Fronteira]], [[Monforte]] and [[Arronches]]. The total population is 95,086 by the 2001 census.The capital,most likely would be the city Portalegre. == 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 (Azores)|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,and the seat of the Azorean diocese. [[Pico Island]] is home of the tallest mountain and has vineyards protected by UNESCO and classified as a [[World Heritage site]]. ===Madeira=== '''[[Madeira Islands|Madeira]]''' is an [[archipelago]] formed by two islands &mdash; Madeira and [[Porto Santo Island|Porto Santo]] &mdash; plus two smaller groups of islands &mdash; [[Desertas Islands|Desertas]] and [[Savage Islands|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 [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]]. The main city of Madeira is [[Funchal]],wich is also Madeira`s regional capital. ==Former regions== 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. [[Image:Provincias Portugal.png|thumb|150px|Historical provinces of Portugal]] === Provinces/Regions (1936&ndash;1976)=== * [[Algarve]] ** District of [[Faro (district)|Faro]] * [[Alentejo]] * [[Baixo Alentejo]] (Lower Alentejo) ** District of [[Beja, Portugal|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, Spain|Extremadura]]) ** District of [[Lisboa]] (Lisbon){{ndash}} 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){{ndash}} 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, Portugal|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, Portugal|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 (district)|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 Heroísmo]] ** District of [[Horta (Azores)|Horta]] * [[Madeira]] ** District of [[Funchal]] === Overseas Provinces === :''See: [[Portuguese Empire]]'' * [[Angola]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1951-1975). Independence in 1975. * [[Cape Verde|Cabo Verde/Cape Verde]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1951-1974); [[autonomous republic]] (1974-1975). Independence in 1975. * [[Guinea-Bissau|Guiné Portuguesa/Portuguese Guinea]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1951-1974). Unilateral independence as Guinea Bissau declared in 1973, recognised by Portugal in 1974. * [[Macau]]/Macao{{ndash}} overseas province (1844-1883); combined overseas province with Portuguese Timor under [[Goa]] (1883-1951); overseas province (1951-1975); special territory (1975-1999). Returned to [[People's Republic of China|China]] as a [[special administrative region]] in 1999. * [[Mozambique|(Moçambique/Portuguese East Africa)]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1951-1974); local administration (1974-1975). Independence in 1975. * [[Portuguese India|Índia Portuguesa/Portuguese India]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1946-1962). Annexed by [[India]] in 1962 and recognised by Portugal in 1974. * [[São Tomé and Príncipe|São Tomé e Príncipe]]{{ndash}} overseas province (1951-1971); local administration (1971-1975). Independent in 1975. * [[East Timor|Timor Português/Portuguese Timor]]{{ndash}} overseas territory (1951-1961); unilateral independence as East Timor proclaimed in [[1975]], annexed by [[Indonesia]] in [[1976]]. (Recognised by [[United Nation|UN]] as non-self-governing-territory under Portuguese administration between 1961-1999). UN administration from [[1999]] until independence in [[2002]]. Note: ''[[Brazil]] became a [[monarchy|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 == {{reflist}} ==See also== * [[Regions, Sub-Regions and Municipalities of Portugal]] ** [[List of municipalities of Portugal]] ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''concelhos'') *** [[List of parishes of Portugal]] ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''freguesias'') * [[List of cities in Portugal]] * [[List of towns in Portugal]] ==External links== *[http://www.aml.pt/English/pgprincipal/main.php Lisbon Metropolitan Area] *[http://www.amp.pt/ampp2_en.htm Greater Porto] *[http://www.gov-madeira.pt/ Madeira's Regional Government] *[http://www.azores.gov.pt/ Azores' Regional Government] *[http://www.citymayors.com/government/portugal-government.html CityMayors feature] *[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/COLONIES.html#Portuguese Current and Former Colonies and Possessions of Portugual from World Statesmen] * [http://www.world-gazetteer.com/s/s_pt.htm Map] {{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of European countries}} [[Category:Lists of country subdivisions|Portugal, Political divisions of]] [[Category:Regions of Portugal| ]] [[Category:Subdivisions by country|Portugal]] [[Category:Subdivisions of Portugal|*]] [[be:Адміністрацыйнае дзяленне Партугаліі]] [[ca:Districtes de Portugal]] [[de:Verwaltungsgliederung Portugals]] [[es:Organización territorial de Portugal]] [[fr:Subdivisions du Portugal]] [[ko:포르투갈의 행정 구역]] [[it:Divisioni amministrative del Portogallo]] [[lt:NUTS:PT]] [[hu:Portugália közigazgatása]] [[nl:Onderverdeling van Portugal]] [[ja:ポルトガルの地域区分]] [[pl:Podział administracyjny Portugalii]] [[pt:Subdivisões de Portugal]] [[ro:Împărţirea administrativă a Portugaliei]] [[ru:Административное деление Португалии]] [[fi:Portugalin aluejako]] [[vi:Vùng hành chính (Bồ Đào Nha)]] [[vec:Divixion aministrative del Portogało]] [[zh:葡萄牙行政區劃]]