Le Portugal : territoires en mutation

Abstract

Independent State since the twelfth century, Portugal has kept its terrestrial borders practically unchanged since the 13th century. This is explained in big measure by the fact of a continuous strategy, based on the maritime border: privileged commercial and political relations with maritime powers (Northern Sea, Baltic and Mediterranean), overseas trade and colonial outposts. Between 1974 and 1986 this political constant ended: independence of the colonies and European Community integration. The demographic and economic littoralisation, as well as the bicephaly of the urban system are, to a certain extent, the result of this strategy and 40 years (1960–2000) of regional policy haven’t changed these tendencies. The new geo-economic positioning of Portugal in an enlarged Europe to the east, obliges to reconsider its role in the European space. It becomes reducing and perhaps obvious that the west facade of Portugal is well placed to play a role as a logistic platform oriented towards transoceanic spaces, in complementarity with other European platforms.