The autonomous regions were established in 1976 in the aftermath of the Carnation Revolution, which saw Portugal end its colonial empire.

[1] Some areas, such as the Azores, Madeira and Macau, were deemed either impractical to decolonise or too close in ties to Continental Portugal to make independent.

However, due to their distinct geography, economy, social and cultural situation, as well as historical aspirations of autonomy in Madeira and the Azores, the autonomous regions were formed.

As for Macau, in Asia, it remained a colony,[3][4] with a higher degree of autonomy,[5] when compared to Madeira and Azores,[6] until it was handed over to China in 1999.

[2] As defined by the Portuguese constitution and other laws, an autonomous region possesses its own political and administrative statute and has its own government.