Vila Real Municipality

Vila Real is the name of a district of Portugal. With an area of 4,239 sq.km., it is located in the north of Portugal, west of the port city of Porto and north of the Douro River. Vila Real has always belonged to the historical province of Tras-os-Montes. Approximate population in the 2001 census was around 250,000. The distict capital, of the same name, had an approximate population of 25,000 in 2001. The population has shown negative rates in recent years due to emigration.

Vila Real is a rugged area of low mountains and narrow valleys. Historically it had always been cut off from the coast by the Marão mountains until a highway was cut through in the eighties. Due to poor soils agriculture has always been a struggle, although wine grapes are produced in the south near the Douro River. Potatoes, corn, and rye have always been the traditional crops, as well as limited dairy farming. Extensive areas are covered in pine forest. Granite and the manufacture of mineral water--the waters of Vidago and Pedras Salgadas are nationally famous--are two important industries.

In the capital there is a university called Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Its forestry and wine making courses are known nationally.