Ribatejo Province

Ribatejo Province

The Ribatejo is the most central of the traditional provinces of Portugal, with no coastline or border with Spain. The region is crossed by the Tagus River (Ribatejo translates to "shores of Tagus"). The region contains some of the nation's richest agricultural land, and it produces most of the animals used in the Portuguese style of bullfighting.

Ribatejo Province was formally created in 1936. It contained Abrantes, Alcanena, Almeirim, Alpiarça, Azambuja, Benavente, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Constância, Coruche, Golegã, Salvaterra de Magos, Santarém, Tomar, Torres Novas, Vila Franca de Xira and Vila Nova da Barquinha. The largest towns were Santarém and Tomar.

In 1976 the Ribatejo Province was dissolved. Most of the area was incorporated into the Santarém District. Later it became part of the Lezíria do Tejo Subregion.