Before the Carnation Revolution of 1974 Portugal and its colonies were divided into regions and provinces. These were then abolished and the districts became the top tier of local government in mainland Portugal before themselves being superseded early in the 21st century.

Mainland Portugal has now been divided into a new and entirely different set of five regions for some purposes, although they lie outside the main structure of the local government system (see subdivisions of Portugal on this complex issue). The historical regions and provinces retain some cultural significance.