Alentejo - NUTSII

Template:Geobox The Alentejo (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐlẽˈtɛʒu]) is the south-central part of Portugal.

The greater region is defined within Portugal by the land bordering the left bank of the Tagus river to the North and extending to the South where it borders the Algarve region. The origin of its name, "além" + "Tejo" combined as Alentejo, literally translates to "Beyond-the-Tagus" or "Across-the-Tagus". However, a large portion of Lezíria do Tejo in Ribatejo Province is located on the right margin of the Tagus River. The Alentejo proper is all located beyond the left margin of the Tagus River.

Its main cities are Évora, Elvas, Portalegre (Upper Alentejo), Beja, Moura, Serpa (Lower Alentejo), Sines (Coastal Alentejo), Santarém and Rio Maior (Lezíria do Tejo, in Ribatejo).

It is one of the more recent seven Regions of Portugal (NUTS II subdivisions). Today, Lezíria do Tejo subregion, formerly belonging to Lisboa e Vale do Tejo region, is part of the Alentejo NUTS II region.

Subregions

• Alentejo Central (Alentejo)
• Alentejo Litoral (Alentejo)
• Alto Alentejo (Alentejo, Ribatejo)
• Baixo Alentejo (Alentejo)
• Lezíria do Tejo (Ribatejo)

Demographics

The resident population of the Alentejo stands at around 759,000 (fourth quarter, 2008 – 2 700 less than the fourth quarter of 2007), with 49% men and 51% women. It is the least populated region in the country, representing over one third of national territory but only 7.1% of its population. It is also the region with the oldest population, 22.9% being 65 years of age or more (while the national average is 17.5%).

The population is still declining – especially in the east of the Alentejo. Locals are said to migrate from the villages to the towns and from the towns to cities beyond the Alentejo. Some migration into the Alentejo is from Northern Europeans looking to escape their overcrowded regions, though not always permanently, just for sunny holiday retreats. People from China, Brazil, and mostly from (South-)Eastern Europe add to curbing population decline.

Economy

In 2006, the region had an estimated GDP per inhabitant rating of 17,200 EUR.

See also

• Alentejo
• Ribatejo