Tâmega Subregion is a NUTS3 subregion and is part of the NUTS2 region of Norte Region, Portugal. Its name derives from the Tâmega River that crosses through the subregion. With 558,000 inhabitants (2005) it is the fourth most populated subregion in Portugal. It has several important urban centers - Paços de Ferreira (pop. 41,000), Lousada (pop. 25,000), Penafiel (24,000), Paredes and Felgueiras (pop. 21,000) - being one of the most decentralized of the Portuguese subregions. The chief city is Penafiel. Other important cities are: Amarante, Felgueiras, Freamunde, Gandra, Lixa, Marco de Canaveses, Paços de Ferreira, Paredes, Rebordosa and São Salvador de Lordelo. Important towns: Baião, Cabeceiras de Basto, Castelo de Paiva (Sobrado), Cinfães, Lousada, Resende, Ribeira de Pena and Vila Meã.