With more than 2000 years of history and located in the North Region and "Cávado" subregion, Braga is the District capital. The municipality, with approximately 184 km2 (114 mi2), is divided into 62 parishes.

In the context of sub-regional policies of development and mobility, the city of Braga is the capital of the Great Metropolitan Area of Minho (Grande Área Metropolitana do Minho), the third largest of the country, formed by the parishes of "Amares", "Barcelos", "Braga", "Cabeceiras de Basto", "Celorico de Basto", "Esposende", "Fafe", "Guimarães", "Póvoa de Lanhoso", "Terras de Bouro", "Vieira do Minho", "Vila Nova de Famalicão", "Vila Verde" and "Vizela": it has around 800 000 inhabitants.