Les petits ports dans le système portuaire européen a l’Âge Moderne (XVIe.-XVIIIe. siècles)

Abstract

The paper presents a double perspective of analysis: a theoretical one, through which isintended to discuss patterns of seaport classification and ranking; and an empirical one, presented through a case study: Vila do Conde, a small seaport on north-western Portugal. One of the main issues of the paper is the discussion centred on the significance or insignificance of the so called “unimportant seaports”. Some concepts such as seaport system; seaport hierarchies and seaport complementarities are proposed as key approaches of the study.