NUTS statistical regions of Portugal

The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) is developed by Eurostat, and employed in Portugal for statistical purposes. The NUTS branch extends from NUTS1, NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions, with the complementary LAU (Local Administrative Units) sub-categorization being used to differentiate the local areas, of trans-national importance.

Developed by Eurostat and implemented in 1998, the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) regions, which comprises three levels of the Portuguese territory, are instrumental in European Union's Structural Fund delivery mechanisms.[1][2] The standard was developed by the European Union, and thus only covers the member states, and extensively used by national governments, Eurostat and other EU bodies for statistical and policy matters.[3][4] Until 4 November 2002, the Sistema Estatístico Nacional (SEN) used a NUTS codification system that was distinct from the Eurostat system. With the enactment of Decree Law 244/2002 (5 November 2002), published in the Diário da República, this system was abandoned in order to harmonize the national system with that of Eurostat.

Subdivisions

The NUTS system subdivides the nation into three levels: NUTS I, NUTS II and NUTS III. In some European partners, as is the case with Portugal, a complementary hierarchy, respectively LAU I and LAU II (posteriorly referred to as NUTS IV and NUTS V) is employed. The LAU, or Local Administrative Units, in the Portuguese context pertains to the 308 municipalities (LAU I) and 4257 civil parishes (LAU II) respectively. In the broadest sense, the NUTS hierarchy, while they may follow some of the borders (municipal or parish) diverge in their delineation.

Sudvision No. Description
NUTS 1: National 3 Continental Portugal, the Azores and Madeira
NUTS 2: Regions 7 Regional Coordination Commissions, and Autonomous Regions
NUTS 3: Subregion 25 Administrative, Statistical and Autonomous Regions

NUTS I

Territorial map corresponding to the NUTS I and NUTS II designations
Main articles: Continental Portugal, Azores, and Madeira

The first and broadest subdivision of Portugal is between mainland Portugal and the two autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira.

NUTS II

Main article: Regions of Portugal

Although the districts are still the most socially relevant subdivision, their function is being phased in favour of locally oriented regional units, and regions are growing in importance. Portugal is divided into five regions, administered by the Commissions for Coordination and Regional Development (Portuguese: Comissões de Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Regional) in mainland Portugal, plus the two autonomous regions that are their own NUTS II regions.

NUTS III

Territorial map corresponding to the 23 statistical subregions of mainland Portugal (NUTS III) and the 2 autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores

The seven regions of Portugal are likewise subdivided into 25 subregions (Portuguese: subregiões) that, from 2015, represent the 2 metropolitan areas, the 21 intermunicipal communities and the 2 autonomous regions. Therefore, since the 2013 revision (enforced in 2015), the Portuguese subregions have a statutory and administrative relevance.[5]

The two autonomous regions (Portuguese: regiões autónomas) in the Atlantic, correspond to their own NUTS I, II and III categories.

NUTS

CONTINENTE
Norte
Alto Minho (Viana do Castelo District)
Alto Tâmega (Part of Vila Real District)
Ave (Part of Braga District, part of Vila Real District)
Cávado (Part of Braga District)
Douro (Part of Vila Real District, part of Viseu District, part of Bragança District, part of Guarda District)
Porto (Part of Porto District, part of Aveiro District)
Tâmega e Sousa (Part of Porto District, part of Aveiro District, part of Braga District, part of Viseu District)
Terras de Trás-os-Montes (Part of Bragança District)
Centro
Região de Aveiro (Part of Aveiro District)
Beira Baixa (Part of Castelo Branco District)
Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Part of Guarda District, part of Castelo Branco District)
Região de Coimbra (Coimbra District, part of Aveiro District, part of Viseu District)
Região de Leiria (Part of Leiria District)
Médio Tejo (Part of Castelo Branco District, part of Santarém District)
Oeste (Part of Leiria District, part of Lisbon District)
Viseu Dão Lafões (Part of Viseu District, part of Guarda District)
Lisbon (Part of Lisbon District, part of Setúbal District)
Alentejo (including Lezíria do Tejo)
Alentejo Litoral (Part of Setúbal District, part of Beja District)
Alentejo Central (Évora District)
Alto Alentejo (Portalegre District)
Baixo Alentejo (Part of Beja District)
Lezíria do Tejo (Part of Santarém District, part of Lisbon District)
Algarve (Faro District)
Região Autónoma dos AÇORES
Região Autónoma da MADEIRA

LAUs

The LAU1 designated municipalities of Portugal

Municipalities and civil parishes were at NUTS IV and V levels, but these nomenclature units have been abolished and substituted by LAUs: the municipality is classified as LAU 1, while the civil parish is LAU level 2. Below the NUTS levels, the two LAU (Local Administrative Units) levels are:

Sudvision No. Description
LAU 1 308 Municipalities
LAU 2 4260 Civil Parishes

The LAU codes of Portugal can be downloaded at: Eurostat

See also

References

  1. ↑ The NUTS system was approved by Community Legislation in 1998, but only entered into function in 2003 through enacting regulations.
  2. ↑ University of Coimbra (2010), p.2
  3. ↑ Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Portuguese language) – Nomenclatura das Unidades Territoriais para fins Estatísticos 2002, accessed May 2006
  4. ↑ de Informação Geográfica (Portuguese language) – Biblioteca de Mapas Administrativos, accessed May 2006
  5. ↑ https://www.ine.pt/ngt_server/attachfileu.jsp?look_parentBoui=227154766&att_display=n&att_download=y

Sources

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