São João da Madeira is a municipality in northwestern region of the Portuguese Norte region. It's part of the larger Porto Metropolitan Area, the second largest of Portugal, but ironically is the smallest municipality in continental Portugal, with a land area of 8.11 km². Its total population in 2011 was 21,685 inhabitants, while its urbanized core included 48,025 residents. Recently, the city was distinguished in Portuguese Quality of Life studies as the "Best Municipality to Live In".