# Portugalete

> human settlement in Greater Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q548441](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q548441)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugalete)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/portugalete

## Summary
Portugalete is a city and municipality located in Greater Bilbao, within the province of Biscay, Basque Country, Spain. Founded in 1322, it sits on the left bank of the Nervión river near the Cantabrian Sea. As of 2025, the municipality has a registered population of 44,843 inhabitants within a compact area of 3.21 square kilometers.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Municipality of Spain; City.
- **Location**: Greater Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain (Europe).
- **Coordinates**: 43.319444°N, -3.019583°W.
- **Area**: 3.21 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 26 metres above sea level.
- **Inception**: 1322.
- **Population (2025)**: 44,843 (Register office).
- **Timezone**: Central European Time (UTC+01:00) / Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00).
- **Demonym**: Portugaletetar.
- **Postal Code**: 48920.
- **INE Code**: 48078.
- **License Plate Code**: BI.
- **Official Language**: Basque (predominant).
- **Patron Saint**: Roch.
- **Website**: http://www.portugalete.org

## FAQs
**What is the demographic history of Portugalete?**
The population grew significantly during the 20th century, rising from 5,182 in 1900 to a peak of 57,534 in 1981. Since the 1980s, the population has gradually declined, stabilizing around 44,000–45,000 in the 2020s.

**Where is Portugalete geographically located?**
The city is located in the Greater Bilbao area of Biscay, bordering the municipalities of Santurtzi, Ortuella, Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran, Sestao, Leioa, and Getxo. It is situated next to the Nervión river and the Cantabrian Sea.

**What administrative identifiers are associated with Portugalete?**
The municipality is identified by the INE code 48078 and the postal code 48920. It is also cataloged internationally under identifiers such as the GND ID 4605052-8, VIAF ID 153566729, and GeoNames ID 6362419.

## Why It Matters
Portugalete serves as a distinct urban settlement within the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area, characterized by its high population density given its small land area of just over 3 square kilometers. Established in the 14th century (1322), it represents a long-standing community in the Basque Country with a defined cultural identity, evidenced by its official recognition of the Basque language and the specific demonym "portugaletetar." The city's demographic data provides a clear case study of urban population trends in northern Spain, showing a boom in the mid-20th century followed by a stabilization period. Its location along the Nervión river places it geographically and economically within the strategic Bilbao estuary region.

## Notable For
- **High Population Density**: Hosting nearly 45,000 residents within only 3.21 square kilometers.
- **Historical Foundation**: Officially established as a settlement in 1322.
- **Cultural Identity**: Recognizing Basque as the predominant official language and using the unique demonym "portugaletetar."
- **Geographic Position**: Situated on the Nervión river near its mouth at the Cantabrian Sea, bordering six other municipalities.
- **Demographic Shift**: A documented population history that peaked at 57,534 in 1981 before adjusting to lower levels in subsequent decades.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Portugalete is a human settlement classified as a municipality and city within the administrative structure of Spain. It is geographically situated in Europe, specifically within the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the territory of Biscay (Bizkaia). It forms part of the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area.

The municipality covers a total area of 3.21 square kilometres. Its geographical coordinates are 43.319444 latitude and -3.019583 longitude, with an elevation of 26 metres above sea level.

**Borders and Bodies of Water**
Portugalete shares land borders with six municipalities: Santurtzi, Ortuella, Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran, Sestao, Leioa, and Getxo. It is located in or adjacent to the Cantabrian Sea and the Nervión river.

### History
The inception of Portugalete as a recognized settlement dates to the year 1322. Historically, it has been described by sources such as the Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (4th edition, 1885–1890). The city celebrates Saint Roch as its patron saint.

### Demographics
The population of Portugalete has undergone significant fluctuations over the last century, extensively documented by census and register office data.

**20th Century Growth**
In 1900, the population was recorded at 5,182. It doubled by 1930 (10,169) and nearly doubled again by 1950 (12,211). Rapid industrialization or migration led to a surge in the following decades:
- 1960: 22,584
- 1970: 45,589
- 1981: 57,534 (Peak population)

**Late 20th and 21st Century Trends**
Following the 1981 peak, the population began a gradual decline.
- 1991: 55,404
- 2000: 52,681
- 2010: 47,856
- 2020: 45,746
- 2023: 44,629

**Most Recent Data**
As of 2025, the population stands at 44,843, based on register office data. Gender distribution data from 2019 indicates a female population of 23,882 and a male population of 21,884.

### Administration and Government
The city functions as the capital of the municipality. The local government is headed by a Mayor (office held by head of government). The current head of government is identified by the entity Q14133432. The official website for the municipality is http://www.portugalete.org.

**Administrative Codes**
- **Country**: Spain
- **INE Code**: 48078
- **Postal Code**: 48920
- **License Plate**: BI

### Culture and Society
The official language of Portugalete is Basque, noted as the predominant language. Residents are referred to by the demonym "portugaletetar." The city maintains a significant digital and cultural presence, categorized under "Category:Portugalete" on Wikimedia Commons and associated with "Category:People from Portugalete" for biographical categorization.

**Symbols**
- **Flag**: [Portugalete Bandera](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Portugalete_bandera.svg)
- **Coat of Arms**: [Escudo de Portugalete](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Escudo_de_Portugalete.svg)

### Identifiers and External References
Portugalete is indexed in numerous national and international databases:
- **GND ID**: 4605052-8
- **VIAF ID**: 153566729
- **GeoNames ID**: 6362419
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n86028472
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 12559925b
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID**: place/Portugalete
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: c8fb6432-18d5-411f-a3f0-e8ad7d68c295
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 340243
- **Sancho El Sabio Foundation ID**: 257
- **INSPIRE ID**: ES.IGN.BDDAE.34164848078

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. BnF authorities
3. Register of Local Entities
4. OpenStreetMap
5. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. MusicBrainz
8. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
9. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
10. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
11. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
25. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525)
26. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
33. [Source](https://www.ine.es/inebaseweb/pdfDispacher.do?td=145064&ext=.pdf)
34. National Statistics Institute
35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=3081)
36. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
37. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
38. GeoNames
39. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos