Mapping the invisible territories of cyberspace. The presence of Portugal in the global networks of information

Abstract

This article intends to contribute to the discussion regarding which Portuguese cities are best positioned on the space of flows that characterizes the information societies. According to Castells (1992), this abstract space needs nodal points to organize the networks of exchange of capital, decisions and information flows. Recognizing the major role of the Internet to structure these global flows, we will present and question the pertinence of some types of measurements, regarding the task of mapping and understanding the geography of Internet, and more specifically the variations in diffusion rates among Portuguese municipalities and cities. Keywords: cyberspace, Internet; urban hierarchy; Portugal