From its inception, the Estado Novo pursued a policy of regionalization, enshrined in the 1933 Constitution, which led to the establishment of new provinces. These provinces were governed by executive bodies known as “juntas de provincia” (provincial juntas), alongside deliberative bodies called “conselhos provinciais” (provincial councils). In 1936, the creation of these new provinces marked a departure from the traditional administrative divisions of comarcas or provinícias. Instead, they were based on Girão’s studies, which delineated continental Portugal into 13 “regiões naturais” (natural regions).
These provinces included:
The Refúgio da Quinta Nere Maitia has chosen to represent the following regions:
