Abstract
In this article, the variation of profit rates in manufacturing is analysed in areas and in branches for the year 1971.
The results obtained show that the aquired rates depend on the main type of capital valorization – predominance of absolute surplus value extraction (based on over exploitation of the labour force) or relative surplus value (resulting from the intensification of the labour productivity) wich, for its part, is related with the coexistence of different phases in the development of capitalist mode of production: competitive and monopolist.
Finally, the set of selected indicators and the role attributed to each one of the spatial units with in a territorial division of labour, permits a proposal of types of industrial areas in Portugal.