or Minho, the most northern of the provinces into which the kingdom of Portugal is divided. As its name denotes, 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 east a chain of elevated mountains separates it from the province of Tras os Montes. It lies between 41° 5' and 42° 8' N. Lat., and between 7° 48' and 8° 45' W. Long., being about 70 miles in length from N. to S., and 45 miles in breadth from E. to W. It is divided into two districts, having areas (in English square miles) and populations as follows:

| Districts | Area | Pop. in 1831 | |-----------|------|--------------| | Viana | 952 | 184,339 | | Braga | 1083 | 297,959 | | **Total** | **2035** | **482,328** |

Three mountain ranges traverse this province from N.E. to S.W. The most northern and loftiest of these, the Serra de Estrela, occupies nearly the whole of the territory between the Minho and the Lima. Its highest summit rises to the height of nearly 7900 feet. The central range, called the Serra de Geres, occupies the country between the Lima and the Cavado; while the Serra de Santa Catarina runs nearly parallel to the Tamega, and afterwards extends westward towards the sea. The rivers next in importance to those which bound the province, are the Lima and the Cavado (both of which flow into the sea), and the Tamega an affluent of the Douro. The province is also watered by numerous smaller rivers and streams; and, particularly in the valleys, is exceedingly fertile and well cultivated. The principal productions are wine, oil, flax, oranges, lemons, maize, wheat, barley, and oats. The staple production, however, is wine, which indeed forms the principal article of export of the kingdom; and the well-known red wine, denominated port (from Oporto, whence it is shipped), is almost wholly the growth of this province. The climate is pleasant and salubrious, the heat of summer being tempered by the sea breezes, while the winters are very mild. The sea and rivers abound with excellent fish, the capture of which affords employment to a considerable portion of the inhabitants. The principal manufactures are linen, woollen, and silk goods, hats, porcelain, hardware, and cutlery. The capital of the province is Braga.