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Political Divisions Of PortugalDistricts There are 18 Districts (distritos, singular - distrito) in mainland Portugal: note: Territorial division in Portugal is currently in flux, because of planned decentralization. Districts are to be phased out. Portugal will be divided into two autonomous regions (regies autnomas, singular - regio autnoma): the Azores (Aores) and Madeira, greater metropolitan areas (grandes reas metropolitanas, singular - grande rea metropolitana), urban communities(comunidades urbanas, singular - comunidade urbana) and intermunicipal communities (comunidades intermunicipais, singular - comunidade intermunicipal). The divisions are organized by level of autonomy, from greatest to smallest. Each metropolitan area, urban community and autonomous region is further subdivided into municipalities. Metropolitan Areas The metropolitan areas (Grande rea Metropolitana, in Portuguese) 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, Setbal, 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. Oporto (Porto) Also known as Grande Porto (Greater Oporto), the Oporto Metropolitan Area consists of 14 municipalities (largest to smallest, by population): Vila Nova de Gaia, Oporto, Matosinhos, Gondomar, Santa Maria da Feira, Maia, Valongo, Vila do Conde, Santo Tirso, Pvoa de Varzim, Trofa, Espinho, Arouca and So Joo da Madeira. By the 2001 census, its population was 1,509,958 inhabitants and the capital is Oporto. Minho Has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest): Braga,Guimares,Vila Nova de Famalico,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 Has 13 municipalities (largest to smallest): Aveiro, Oliveira de Azemis, Ovar, gueda, lhavo, Anadia, Portugal, 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. Coimbra Has 16 municipalities (largest to smallest): Coimbra, Figueira da Foz, Cantanhede, Montemor-o-Velho, Soure, Mealhada, Penacova, Lous, Condeixa-a-Nova, Miranda do Corvo, Mira, Tbua, Mortgua, Vila Nova de Poiares, Penela and Gis. By the 2001 census, its population was 430,845 inhabitants. Algarve Has 16 municipalities (largest to smallest): Loul, Faro, Portimo, Olho, Silves, Albufeira, Lagos, Tavira, Lagoa, Vila Real de Santo Antnio, So Brs 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 Has 21 municipalities (largest to smallest): Viseu, Tondela, Seia, Mangualde, So Pedro do Sul, Castro Daire, Gouveia, Nelas, Sto, Santa Comba Do, 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 is a community northwest of Lisbon. The capital is Caldas da Rainha and it has 12 municipalities (largest to smallest): Torres Vedras, Alcobaa, Caldas da Rainha, Alenquer, Peniche, Lourinh, Nazar, Cadaval, Bombarral, bidos, Arruda dos Vinhos and Sobral de Monte Agrao. 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, Paos 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, Ourm, Marinha Grande, Porto de Ms, Batalha, Ansio and Alvaizere. Leiria is the capital. By the 2001 census, its population was 317,271 inhabitants. Lezria do Tejo It has 11 municipalities (largest to smallest): Santarm, Cartaxo, Benavente, Almeirim, Coruche, Rio Maior, Azambuja, Salvaterra de Magos, Chamusca, Alpiara and Goleg. Santarm 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 Cacm, Odemira, Serpa, Moura, Grndola, Alccer do Sal, Sines, Aljustrel, Ferreira do Alentejo, Mrtola, Almodvar, Castro Verde, Ourique, Vidigueira, Cuba, Alvito and Barrancos. By the 2001 census, its population was 234,481 inhabitants. The capital is Beja. Trs-os-Montes It occupies the northeastern area of Portugal and has 15 municipalities (largest to smallest): Chaves, Bragana, Mirandela, Valpaos, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Montalegre, Mogadouro, Vinhais, Miranda do Douro, Ribeira de Pena, Boticas, Alfndega da F, Vimioso and Freixo de Espada Cinta The capital is Bragana 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): vora, Elvas, Montemor-o-Novo, Estremoz, Vendas Novas, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Vila Viosa, Campo Maior, Borba, Arraiolos, Redondo, Portel, Alandroal, Mora, Viana do Alentejo and Mouro. The capital is vora. By the 2001 census, its population was 204,798 inhabitants. Baixo Tmega It has 7 municipalities (largest to smallest): Amarante, Marco de Canavezes, Baio, Cinfes, 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 Rgua, Alij, Torre de Moncorvo, So Joo da Pesqueira, Santa Marta de Penaguio, Vila Nova de Foz Ca, Vila Flor, Carrazeda de Ansies, Armamar, Sabrosa, Tabuao, Mura and Meso Frio. The capital is Vila Real. By the 2001 census, its population was 195,203 inhabitants. Mdio Tejo It has 11 municipalities (largest to smallest): Tomar, Abrantes, Torres Novas, Entroncamento, Alcanena, Ferreira do Zzere, Mao, Vila Nova da Barquinha, Sardoal, Constncia 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): Covilh, 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 (pinewood in english) has 7 municipalities (largest to smallest): Oliveira do Hospital,Sert, Arganil, Figueir dos Vinhos, Pampilhosa da Serra, Pedrgo Grande and Castanheira de Pra. The capital is Sert. By the 2001 census, its population was 73,185 inhabitants. Vale do Minho The Minho Valley Community has 5 municipalities (largest to smallest): Mono, Valena, Melgao, Paredes de Coura and Vila Nova de Cerveira. The capital is Valena. 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: Not a definitive list: Castelo Branco, Fundo, Idanha-a-Nova, Proena-a-Nova, Oleiros, Vila Velha de Rdo. The total population is 119,263, by the 2001 census. Not a definitive list: Portalegre, Ponte de Sor, Nisa, Sousel, Avis, Gavio, Crato, Marvo,Alter do Cho, 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 Secretrios Regionais (Regional Secretaries). Azores The Azores (Aores, 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 So Miguel Island is seen as the capital of the islands, while Angra do Herosmo 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 Prola do Atntico (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 1974, Portugal was divided in regions (regies, singular - regio) or provinces (provncias, singular - provncia). There was a substancial difference between the european provinces/regions and the overseas colonies (the so-called overseas provincies) Those regions/provinces were abolished and the districts became the 2nd level administrative regions with the Carnation Revolution of 1974. See also External Links Portugal, Political divisions of
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