VILA REAL

town, capital, and concelho (township), Vila Real district, northern Portugal. It lies at the confluence of the Corgo and Cabril rivers, east of Porto. The town, which was founded in the 13th century, has notable landmarks, including a cathedral built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, the former Dominican conventual church, and 17th-century houses near the main square. Vila Real is the principal centre of the port-wine-producing area; its other manufactures include textiles and ceramics. The town is connected to Porto and Bragana by rail and paved road. Vila Real district is bounded by Spain (north) and the Douro River (south). In addition to viticulture and cereal crops, some livestock raising is carried on in the northern mountainous part of the district. Besides Vila Real town, Peso da Rgua and Chaves are the chief urban centres. Area district, 1,662 square miles (4,305 square km). Pop. (1981) town, 13,876; concelho, 47,020; district, 263,972; (1991 prelim.) town, 15,500; (1991) concelho, 46,300; (1993 est.) district, 233,100.