The North Region or Northern Portugal is the most populous region in Portugal, ahead of Lisbon, and the third most extensive by area. The region has 3,576,205 inhabitants according to the 2017 census, and its area is 21,278 kilometres (13,222 mi) with a density of 173 inhabitants per square kilometre. It is one of five regions of Mainland Portugal. Its main population center is the urban area of Porto, with about one million inhabitants; it includes a larger political metropolitan region with 1.8 million, and an urban-metropolitan agglomeration with 2.99 million inhabitants, including Porto and neighboring cities, such as Braga, Guimarães and Póvoa de Varzim. The Commission of Regional Coordination of the North (CCDR-N) is the agency that coordinates environmental policies, land-use planning, cities and the overall development of this region, supporting local governments and associations.
The Douro Valley, where port wine is produced
Cávado river in Peneda-Gerês National Park, an area with expressive rainfall.
Northern Littoral Natural Park in Esposende.
The inland Douro Valley area is exposed to hot summers and seasonal aridity.
Lisbon Region is one of the seven NUTS II designated regions of Portugal, which coincides with the NUTS III subregion Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The region covers an area of 3001.95 km2 and includes a population of 2,815,851 inhabitants according to the 2011 census, a density of 1039 inhabitants/km2.
The port of Lisbon, the terminus of activities in the Region of Lisboa, that extends into Tagus estuary