one of the provinces into which the kingdom of Portugal is divided. It is bounded on the north by the river Minho, which divides it from Spain, and on the south by the river Duero. The Atlantic Ocean is its western boundary; and, on the eastern side, a range of lofty mountains separates it from the province of Tras los Montes. It has a much denser population than any other part either of Spain or Portugal. Its extent is 291 square leagues, and in 1798 (the last census) its inhabitants amounted to 907,965.

It enjoys the most fertile soil, the most salubrious climate, and the most beautiful rivulets of any part of the peninsula. Its vegetable productions are wheat, maize, oranges, lemons, figs, and especially wine. The latter is the great object of export, and, indeed; forms the principal trade of the whole kingdom, as almost all the red wine commonly called port, from the place whence it is shipped, is the produce of this province. There are manufactures of hats, of silks, of linens, of sail-cloth, and of woolens, and though not rendered sufficiently cheap to be exported to the other countries of Europe, they supply the domestic consumption, and furnish exports to Brasil and the settlements on the coast of Africa.

The rivers next in importance to those which form the boundaries are the Lima, the Cabado, and the Ave, all of which, aided by the mountains, form natural defences against an invading enemy. Though Oporto, both in population and wealth, is the first city; yet Braga, as the see of an archbishop, is the capital of this province. (w.w.)