Provinces of Portugal
Encyclopedia
The Provinces of Portugal, although today not recognized in law and disused, continue to exist as socio-cultural divisions within the territory. Along its history, Portugal has had various administrative reorganizations that subdivided its territory, using the title Province, beginning with the County of Portugal
, which itself was just a Province of the Kingdom of León
.
and Baetica, established by Roman Emperor Augustus
between 27-13 B.C. Emperor Diocletian
reordered these territories in the third century, dividing Tarraconesis into three separate territories: Tarraconensis
, Carthaginensis
and Gallaecia
. At that time Tarraconesis included northern Portugal, Gallaecia
and Asturias
.
What would develop into the Kingdom of Portugal, was itself a province of the Kingdom of León
. During the Reconquista
, the Iberian kingdoms established an administrative system, based on the older Visigoth
ic lines, which were themselves just a carry-over from the Romans. The kingdoms were divided into provinces or counties, headed by a local governors (referred to as a count, duke or prince), who also subdivided the land administratively into smaller parcels, headed by lieutenants. The first County of Portugal
, or Portucale, was a fiefdom of León, under Alfonso III of León
, which was succeded in the 12th Century by the Second County of Portugal, paving the way for the independent Kingdom of Portugal.
After the 15th Century, the new Kingdom of Portugal was divided into six great administrative units, referred to as comarca
s, in the tradition of the Spanish
court. From north to south, they included:
The comarca of Entre-Tejo-e-Odiana would later be renamed as Comarca of Alentejo, while by the late 16th Century, the comarcas would start to be referred to as províncias (provinces).
Each comarca was headed by an administrative and judicial magistrate, which represented Royal power in each jurisdiction of the country. These magistrates were, initially, called tenents (lieutenants), later meirinhos-mores and finally, corregedores. These six comarcas, with some changes, would be maintained as the principal administrative division of country until the 19th century.
Until the end of the 18th century, feudal territories of the clergy or nobility, were referred to as ouvidorias, whose function was similar to the comarca, but which were governed/administered by nominated feudal regents. In 1790, these ouvidorias were transformed into comarcas, with corregedores nominated directly by the Crown. By 1801, the provinces included the following administrative divisions:
In parallel with these comarcas (the administrative and judicial regions), the provinces began to be subdivided into almoxarifados, (fiscal districts) and emprovedorias (health/social districts), in order to manage imports/exports and finances, as well as health and social issues, respectively. Similarly, in 1758, the Partido do Porto, a military division, under the responsibility of the military governor was instituted to include areas of the Provinces of Entre-Douro-e-Minho and Beira in order to connect these provinces.
and Madeira
, as well as the overseas territories (the Portuguese colonies in Africa, India and Southeast Asia).
In comparison with the period before the 17th century, the Provinces of 1832, or prefeituras (prefectures), began to operate as administrative units, lead by a prefeito (prefect
, who was a representative of the central government. These prefects were assisted by a junta geral, that acted as an organ of the local government, elected by the citizens of the province. The provinces continued to be divided into comarcas or subprefeituras (sub-prefectures), which functioned as an area of jurisdiction of sub-prefects, who represented the prefect. Parallel with this system, the territory is divided into concelhos (municipalities), each lead by a provedor (or representative of the prefect) and assisted by the câmara municipal (municipal chamber or municipal council), which were elected by its citizens. These reforms resulted in the extinction of a number of smaller municipalities (due to lack of population or finances). The elimination of these municipalities were complemented by the appearance of the administrative parish, a subdivision of the latter, which was administered by the comissário de paróquia (commissioner of the parish), and assisted by the junta de paróquia (parish council).
The eight prefectures (provinces) were:
Meanwhile, each of the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores were constituted as individual provinces: Prefecture of Madeira and the Prefecture of the Azores (which was itself subdivided into Angra
and Ponta Delgada
sub-prefectures, known as Prefecture Ocidental and Oriental in 1833). In addition the colonies were reorganized into provinces of Cabo Verde
e Guiné, Angola
, Mozambique
, Índia
, São Tomé, Príncipe
and Macau
e Timor, each with their own prefect and junta geral, equivalent to the national division of provinces.
The 1832 system lasted a short time, and were replaced by the 1835 reforms heralded by the Liberal victory of 1834. The prefectures and junta gerals of the provinces were abolished, the comarcas/sub-prefectures were transformed into districts, while the sub-prefectures were retooled as governadores civis, assisted by a district junta geral. The debate over the importance of provinces only arose from fears that there would be an excessive concentration of power in the hands of governmental officers . The adoption of the 17 districts (1835) instead of eight provinces was an attempt to dissolve such power. The older provedores begin to act as the municipal administrators, and parish commissioners become regedores (removing the ecclesiastical reference from their use). The provinces continue to appear in the lexicon, but only as a grouping of districts, without any administrative or military significance, and like 1832, they continued to function as a statistical and referential units of geography.
, creating new provinces, within an executive body, the juntas de provincia (provincial junta) and a deliberative body, the conselhos provincias (provincial councils).
Created in 1936, the new provinces did not correspond to the traditional comarcas or provinícias. The new territories were based on studies made by Amorim Girão, a geographer, who divided continental Portugal into 13 "regiões naturais" (natural regions). The provinces were:
These eleven provinces corresponded each to one of the natural regions developed by Amorim Girão, with two exceptions: the natural regions of Trás-os-Montes
and Alto Douro
and the natural regions of Beira Alta
and Beira Transmontana were united respectively into the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province and the Beira Alta Province. In comparison with the 1835 provinces, the limits of these new provinces did not correspond with the district borders, which were maintained under the jurisdiction of the civil governors.
In 1959, as local governments, the provinces were extinguished. They were only referred to as regional references, while the districts, once again, became the local reference, the juntas distritais and conselhos distritais inheriting the functions of the former provinces.
County of Portugal
The County of Portugal was the region around Braga and Porto, today corresponding to littoral northern Portugal, from the late ninth to the early twelfth century, during which it was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León.-History:...
, which itself was just a Province of the Kingdom of León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
.
History
The first provinces, instituted during the Roman occupation of the Iberian peninsula, divided the peninsula into three areas: Tarraconensis, LusitaniaLusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
and Baetica, established by Roman Emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
between 27-13 B.C. Emperor Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
reordered these territories in the third century, dividing Tarraconesis into three separate territories: Tarraconensis
Hispania Tarraconensis
Hispania Tarraconensis was one of three Roman provinces in Hispania. It encompassed much of the Mediterranean coast of Spain along with the central plateau. Southern Spain, the region now called Andalusia, was the province of Hispania Baetica...
, Carthaginensis
Hispania Carthaginensis
Hispania Carthaginensis was a Roman province segregated from Hispania Tarraconensis in the new division of Hispania by emperor Diocletian in 298.The capital of the new province was settled in Carthago Nova, now Cartagena....
and Gallaecia
Gallaecia
Gallaecia or Callaecia, also known as Hispania Gallaecia, was the name of a Roman province and an early Mediaeval kingdom that comprised a territory in the north-west of Hispania...
. At that time Tarraconesis included northern Portugal, Gallaecia
Gallaecia
Gallaecia or Callaecia, also known as Hispania Gallaecia, was the name of a Roman province and an early Mediaeval kingdom that comprised a territory in the north-west of Hispania...
and Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
.
What would develop into the Kingdom of Portugal, was itself a province of the Kingdom of León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
. During the Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
, the Iberian kingdoms established an administrative system, based on the older Visigoth
Visigoth
The Visigoths were one of two main branches of the Goths, the Ostrogoths being the other. These tribes were among the Germans who spread through the late Roman Empire during the Migration Period...
ic lines, which were themselves just a carry-over from the Romans. The kingdoms were divided into provinces or counties, headed by a local governors (referred to as a count, duke or prince), who also subdivided the land administratively into smaller parcels, headed by lieutenants. The first County of Portugal
County of Portugal
The County of Portugal was the region around Braga and Porto, today corresponding to littoral northern Portugal, from the late ninth to the early twelfth century, during which it was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León.-History:...
, or Portucale, was a fiefdom of León, under Alfonso III of León
Alfonso III of León
Alfonso III , called the Great, was the king of León, Galicia and Asturias from 866 until his death. He was the son and successor of Ordoño I. In later sources he is the earliest to be called "Emperor of Spain"...
, which was succeded in the 12th Century by the Second County of Portugal, paving the way for the independent Kingdom of Portugal.
Comarcas
Comarca
A comarca is a traditional region or local administrative division found in parts of Spain, Portugal, Panama, Nicaragua, and Brazil. The term is derived from the term marca, meaning a "march, mark", plus the prefix co- meaning "together, jointly".The comarca is known in Aragonese as redolada and...
s, in the tradition of the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
court. From north to south, they included:
- Comarca of Trás-os-MontesTrás-os-Montes ProvinceTrás-os-Montes Province is one of the medieval provinces of Portugal.The northern part is covered by Alto Trás-os-Montes Subregion, the southern by Douro Subregion.-See also :* Trás-os-Montes * Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province...
- delimited in the west by the Tâmega River and south by the Douro River; - Comarca of Entre-Douro-e-Minho - delimited in the south by the Douro River and east by the Tâmega River;
- Comarca of Beira - initially an extense band within the interior of the territory, between the Douro River and the Tagus River, in the 16th century it was expanded to the coast, to include the areas of Estremadura;
- Comarca of EstremaduraEstremadura Province (historical)Estremadura Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal....
- initial a coastal area, between Douro and Tagus Rivers, in the 16th century, the northern border was limited to south of the Mondego River, while its southern limit expanded towards the Tagus, encompassing the peninsula of SetúbalSetúbalSetúbal is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303 inhabitants....
; - Comarca of Entre-Tejo-e-OdianaAlentejo ProvinceAlentejo Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal.It was later divided in Alto Alentejo Province and Baixo Alentejo Province....
- delimited to the north by the Tagus River and south by the Serra do Caldeirão; - Kingdom of the Algarve - includes the southern coast until the Serra do Caldeirão.
The comarca of Entre-Tejo-e-Odiana would later be renamed as Comarca of Alentejo, while by the late 16th Century, the comarcas would start to be referred to as províncias (provinces).
Each comarca was headed by an administrative and judicial magistrate, which represented Royal power in each jurisdiction of the country. These magistrates were, initially, called tenents (lieutenants), later meirinhos-mores and finally, corregedores. These six comarcas, with some changes, would be maintained as the principal administrative division of country until the 19th century.
Provinces
Around the 17th Century, the provinces were subdivided into individual comarcas or correições (corrections), with their own corregedor (law judges), and the provinces, as an administrative and civic role, began to be used as a statistical unit. Meanwhile, at the same time that its administrative role ceased, the Kingdom instituted a system of governadores das armas (military governors), whose jurisdiction conincided with the provincial territories. This division between military and civic authorities were maintained until the administrative reforms of 1832.Until the end of the 18th century, feudal territories of the clergy or nobility, were referred to as ouvidorias, whose function was similar to the comarca, but which were governed/administered by nominated feudal regents. In 1790, these ouvidorias were transformed into comarcas, with corregedores nominated directly by the Crown. By 1801, the provinces included the following administrative divisions:
- Province of Entre-Douro-e-Minho - Valença, Viana, Braga, Barcelos, Guimarães, Porto, Penafiel;
- Province of Trás-os-MontesTrás-os-Montes ProvinceTrás-os-Montes Province is one of the medieval provinces of Portugal.The northern part is covered by Alto Trás-os-Montes Subregion, the southern by Douro Subregion.-See also :* Trás-os-Montes * Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province...
- Bragança, Miranda, Moncorvo, Vila Real; - Province of Beira - Feira, Aveiro, Lamego, Trancoso, Pinhel, Guarda, Linhares, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Arganil, Coimbra;
- Province of EstremaduraEstremadura Province (historical)Estremadura Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal....
- Leiria, Ourém, Cinco Vilas (Chão de Couce), Tomar, Alcobaça, Santarém, Alenquer, Torres Vedras, Ribatejo (Vila Franca de Xira), Lisboa, Setúbal - Province of AlentejoAlentejo ProvinceAlentejo Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal.It was later divided in Alto Alentejo Province and Baixo Alentejo Province....
- Crato, Portalegre, Vila Viçosa, Avis, Elvas, Évora, Beja, Ourique; - Kingdom of the Algarve - Lagos, Faro, Tavira
In parallel with these comarcas (the administrative and judicial regions), the provinces began to be subdivided into almoxarifados, (fiscal districts) and emprovedorias (health/social districts), in order to manage imports/exports and finances, as well as health and social issues, respectively. Similarly, in 1758, the Partido do Porto, a military division, under the responsibility of the military governor was instituted to include areas of the Provinces of Entre-Douro-e-Minho and Beira in order to connect these provinces.
Prefectures
After the Liberal Revolution of 1820, there were many proposals to reform the administrative divisions of the country. But, due to Miguelist counter-revolutions, these reforms were delayed. In 1832, the Liberal government-in-exile in the Azores, decreed the establishment of a new system for Portugal, which would approximate the already existing Provinces of Portugal. In actuality, one new province was established Douro, based on the territory of Partido do Porto, and which began to function with all the rights and privileges. In addition, the Provinces would begin to function throughout the national territory, including the archipelagos of the AzoresAzores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
and Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
, as well as the overseas territories (the Portuguese colonies in Africa, India and Southeast Asia).
In comparison with the period before the 17th century, the Provinces of 1832, or prefeituras (prefectures), began to operate as administrative units, lead by a prefeito (prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
, who was a representative of the central government. These prefects were assisted by a junta geral, that acted as an organ of the local government, elected by the citizens of the province. The provinces continued to be divided into comarcas or subprefeituras (sub-prefectures), which functioned as an area of jurisdiction of sub-prefects, who represented the prefect. Parallel with this system, the territory is divided into concelhos (municipalities), each lead by a provedor (or representative of the prefect) and assisted by the câmara municipal (municipal chamber or municipal council), which were elected by its citizens. These reforms resulted in the extinction of a number of smaller municipalities (due to lack of population or finances). The elimination of these municipalities were complemented by the appearance of the administrative parish, a subdivision of the latter, which was administered by the comissário de paróquia (commissioner of the parish), and assisted by the junta de paróquia (parish council).
The eight prefectures (provinces) were:
- Prefecture of Minho - Ponte de Lima, Monção, Braga, Barcelos, Guimarães
- Prefecture of Douro - Bragança, Chaves, Moncorvo, Vila Real
- Prefecture of Trás-os-MontesTrás-os-Montes ProvinceTrás-os-Montes Province is one of the medieval provinces of Portugal.The northern part is covered by Alto Trás-os-Montes Subregion, the southern by Douro Subregion.-See also :* Trás-os-Montes * Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province...
- Porto, Penafiel, Feira, Aveiro, Coimbra - Prefecture of Beira Alta - Viseu, Lamego, Trancoso
- Prefecture of Beira BaixaBeira Baixa ProvinceBeira Baixa was a Portuguese province. It was abolished with the Constitution of 1976.-Municipalities:The 13 municipalities in the province:*Belmonte - Castelo Branco District - Cova da Beira Subregion...
- Guarda, Castelo Branco, Seia, Tomar - Prefecture of EstremaduraEstremadura Province (historical)Estremadura Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal....
- Leiria, Santarém, Alenquer, Torres Vedras, Lisboa - Prefecture of AlentejoAlentejo ProvinceAlentejo Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal.It was later divided in Alto Alentejo Province and Baixo Alentejo Province....
- Setúbal, Portalegre, Elvas, Beja, Évora, Beja, Ourique - Prefecture of Algarve - Lagos, Faro, Tavira
Meanwhile, each of the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores were constituted as individual provinces: Prefecture of Madeira and the Prefecture of the Azores (which was itself subdivided into Angra
Angra do Heroísmo
Angra do Heroísmo , locally referred to as Angra, is a municipality and city on the island of Terceira, within the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores. The municipal area has a population of 35,581 and an area of . Along with Praia da Vitória to the north, it is one of two municipal...
and Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro,...
sub-prefectures, known as Prefecture Ocidental and Oriental in 1833). In addition the colonies were reorganized into provinces of Cabo Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
e Guiné, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, Índia
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, São Tomé, Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...
and Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
e Timor, each with their own prefect and junta geral, equivalent to the national division of provinces.
The 1832 system lasted a short time, and were replaced by the 1835 reforms heralded by the Liberal victory of 1834. The prefectures and junta gerals of the provinces were abolished, the comarcas/sub-prefectures were transformed into districts, while the sub-prefectures were retooled as governadores civis, assisted by a district junta geral. The debate over the importance of provinces only arose from fears that there would be an excessive concentration of power in the hands of governmental officers . The adoption of the 17 districts (1835) instead of eight provinces was an attempt to dissolve such power. The older provedores begin to act as the municipal administrators, and parish commissioners become regedores (removing the ecclesiastical reference from their use). The provinces continue to appear in the lexicon, but only as a grouping of districts, without any administrative or military significance, and like 1832, they continued to function as a statistical and referential units of geography.
New Provinces
The Estado Novo adopted, from its beginning, a policy of regionalisation of the country, which was written into the 1933 ConstitutionConstitution of Portugal
The first Portuguese Constitution was drafted in 1822. Several revolutions led to the constitutions of 1826 , 1838 , 1911 , 1933 , and 1976 ....
, creating new provinces, within an executive body, the juntas de provincia (provincial junta) and a deliberative body, the conselhos provincias (provincial councils).
Created in 1936, the new provinces did not correspond to the traditional comarcas or provinícias. The new territories were based on studies made by Amorim Girão, a geographer, who divided continental Portugal into 13 "regiões naturais" (natural regions). The provinces were:
- Algarve - which included the totality of the district of Faro;
- Alto AlentejoAlto Alentejo ProvinceAlto Alentejo was a Portuguese province. It was abolished with the Constitution of 1976.The area is now covered by Alto Alentejo Subregion and Alentejo Central Subregion.-Municipalities:*Alandroal Municipality*Alter do Chão Municipality...
- including Évora and Portalegre Districts (except the municipality of Ponte de Sor; - Baixo AlentejoBaixo Alentejo ProvinceBaixo Alentejo was a Portuguese province. It was abolished with the Constitution of 1976.- Subregions :The area is equal to the area covered by Baixo Alentejo Subregion and Alentejo Litoral Subregion.-Municipalities:...
- which included Beja District and the southern half of Setúbal District; - Beira Alta - the "natural regions" of Beira AltaBeira Alta (region)Beira Alta was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.With Beira Trasmontana it became Beira Alta Province....
and Beira Transmontana, that included Guarda District (except for the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa), Viseu District (except for the municipalities of Cinfães, Resende, Armamar, Lamego, São João da Pesqueira and Tabuaço), and the municipalities of Oliveira do HospitalOliveira do HospitalOliveira do Hospital is a municipality in the old district of Coimbra, in the central part of continental Portugal.-History:Inhabited by ancient civilizations, Oliveira do Hospital has Roman settlements, Visigothic relics, noble Gothic mansions as well as ancient villages built of slate...
and TábuaTábua MunicipalityTábua is a municipality of the Coimbra District, in Portugal. It contains the town of Tábua.-Parishes:* Ázere* Candosa* Carapinha* Covas* Covelo* Espariz* Meda de Mouros* Midões* Mouronho* Pinheiro de Coja* Póvoa de Midões* São João da Boa Vista...
(in Coimbra District);
- Beira BaixaBeira Baixa ProvinceBeira Baixa was a Portuguese province. It was abolished with the Constitution of 1976.-Municipalities:The 13 municipalities in the province:*Belmonte - Castelo Branco District - Cova da Beira Subregion...
- that included Castelo Branco District, the municipality of MaçãoMaçãoMação is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 400.0 km² and a total population of 7,763 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of eight parishes, and is located in the Santarém District....
(in Santarém District) and the municipality of Pampilhosa da SerraPampilhosa da SerraPampilhosa da Serra is a town in Pampilhosa da Serra Municipality of the Coimbra District, in Portugal....
(in the district of Coimbra); - Beira LitoralBeira Litoral ProvinceBeira Litoral is a former province of Portugal, formally instituted in an administrative reform of 1936. The territory corresponds mainly to the Douro Province from the 19th century...
- in the south containing parts of Estremadura ProvinceEstremadura Province (historical)Estremadura Province is one of the six historical provinces of Portugal....
, including Coimbra District (except for the municipalities of Pampilhosa da Serra, Oliveira do Hospital and Tábua), the northern half of Leiria District, Aveiro District (except for the municipalities of Arouca, Castelo de Paiva, Espinho and Santa Maria da Feira) and the municipality of Ourém (in Santarém District); - Douro Litoral - including Porto DistrictPorto DistrictThe District of Porto , sometimes Oporto in English, is located on the north-west coast of Portugal. The district capital is the city of Porto, the second largest city in the country...
, the municipalities of Arouca, Castelo de PaivaCastelo de PaivaCastelo de Paiva Municipality is located in the North East of Aveiro District in Portugal with a total area of 115.0 km² and a total population of 17,128 inhabitants...
, Espinho and Santa Maria da Feira (in Aveiro District), and the municipalities of Cinfães and Resende (in Viseu District); - Estremadura - Lisboa District, that included most of Lisbon, except for the municipalities of Azambuja and Vila Franca de Xira, the northern half or Setúbal District, and the southern half of Leiria District;
- Minho - that included Braga District and Viana do Castelo District;
- Ribatejo - the just the municipalities of AzambujaAzambujaAzambuja is a Portuguese municipality in Lisbon District, in the historical region of Ribatejo with a total area of 262.7 km² and a total population of 20,838 inhabitants...
and Vila Franca de XiraVila Franca de XiraVila Franca de Xira is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 317.7 km² and a total population of 133,224 inhabitants. Situated on the west bank of the Tagus River, just 32 km north-east of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira is said to have been founded by French...
(in Lisboa District); the municipalities of Ourém and Mação (in Santarém District) and just Ponte de Sôr Municipality (in Portalegre District); - Trás-os-Montes e Alto DouroTrás-os-Montes e Alto DouroTrás-os-Montes e Alto Douro is a historical province of Portugal located in the northeastern corner of the country. Vast plateaus, river valleys, mountains, and castles abound in Trás os Montes e Alto Douro....
- the natural regions of Trás-os-MontesTrás-os-Montes (region)Trás-os-Montes was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.Together with Alto Douro it formed Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province.- See also :...
and Alto DouroAlto Douro (region)Alto Douro was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.Together with Trás-os-Montes is became Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province....
, that included Vila Real District, Bragança District, the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz CôaVila Nova de Foz CôaVila Nova de Foz Côa is a city and a municipality in the district of Guarda, Portugal, with a total population of 8,249 inhabitants. The city population is around 3,300.Main rivers in the municipal territory include the Douro and the Côa....
(in Guarda District) and the municipalities of ArmamarArmamarArmamar is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 117.2 km² and a total population of 7,318 inhabitants. The municipality is composed of nineteen parishes and is located in Viseu District.-Geography:...
, LamegoLamegoLamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants Lamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants Lamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants (the catchment of the city of...
, São João da PesqueiraSão João da PesqueiraSão João da Pesqueira is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 266.1 km² and a total population of 8,367 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 14 parishes and is located in the district Viseu....
and TabuaçoTabuaçoTabuaço is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 133.9 km² and a total population of 6,501 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 17 parishes and is located in the district Viseu....
(in the district of Viseu).
These eleven provinces corresponded each to one of the natural regions developed by Amorim Girão, with two exceptions: the natural regions of Trás-os-Montes
Trás-os-Montes (region)
Trás-os-Montes was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.Together with Alto Douro it formed Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province.- See also :...
and Alto Douro
Alto Douro (region)
Alto Douro was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.Together with Trás-os-Montes is became Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province....
and the natural regions of Beira Alta
Beira Alta (region)
Beira Alta was one of the 13 regions of continental Portugal identified by geographer Amorim Girão, in a study published between 1927 and 1930.With Beira Trasmontana it became Beira Alta Province....
and Beira Transmontana were united respectively into the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province and the Beira Alta Province. In comparison with the 1835 provinces, the limits of these new provinces did not correspond with the district borders, which were maintained under the jurisdiction of the civil governors.
In 1959, as local governments, the provinces were extinguished. They were only referred to as regional references, while the districts, once again, became the local reference, the juntas distritais and conselhos distritais inheriting the functions of the former provinces.