The two Autonomous Regions of Portugal are the Azores and Madeira. Together with Continental Portugal, they form the whole of the Portuguese Republic. The autonomous regions were established due to their distinct geography, economy, social and cultural situation, as well as the historical autonomic aspirations of its island populations.

As defined by the Portuguese constitution and other laws, an autonomous region possesses its own political and administrative statute and has its own government. The branches of Government are the regional executive (Governo Regional) and the legislative assembly (known as the Assembleia Regional). The assembly is elected by universal suffrage, using the D'Hondt method of proportional representation.

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