 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
District of Vila Real | |
|---|---|
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Norte |
| Historical province | Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro |
| No. of municipalities | 14 |
| No. of parishes | 268 |
| Capital | Vila Real |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,328 km2 (1,671 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 206,661 |
| • Density | 48/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | PT-17 |
| No. of parliamentary representatives | 5 |
The District of Vila Real (Portuguese: Distrito de Vila Real [ˈvilɐ ʁiˈal] ) is a district of northern Portugal. With an area of 4,239 km2 (1,637 sq mi), the district is located east of the port city of Porto and north of the Douro River. Vila Real has always belonged to the historical province of Trás-os-Montes. Approximate population in the 2001 census was 230,000. The population has shown negative rates in recent years due to emigration and aging. Many of the villages have lost population and have become deserted while the district capital has gained in population. It is bordered by Spain (Galicia) in the north and east, Braga District and Porto District in the west, Viseu District in the south and Bragança District in the east.