Tâmega Subregion is a former NUTS3 subregion, part of the NUTS2 region of Norte Region, Portugal. It was abolished at the January 2015 NUTS 3 revision. 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, Lousada, Penafiel (24,000), Paredes and Felgueiras - 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.