Guarda (pron. IPA: ['gwaɾdɐ]) is a city and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 712.1 km² and a total population of 44,149 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has a population of 30,174. Guarda was founded in 1199 by the second king of Portugal, Sancho I. The municipality is composed of 55 parishes, and is located in the District of Guarda,Region:Centro,Sub Region:Beira Interior Norte. Guarda is the largest city in this Sub Region ,capital of the Guarda District and Urban Community Beiras.It is served by major highways and an international train station,served by trains in both lines:Beira Alta,the main international line and Beira Baixa. The closest principal border is Vilar Formoso{Guarda district,Portugal}/Fuentes de Onoro{Salamanca,Spain}. Guarda is the highest city in Portugal,located northeast of Serra da Estrela Mountain[Estrela means Star] The main attraction of Guarda is his cathedral, known by Sé da Guarda.Guarda is a diocese of the same name. The present mayor is Joaquim Valente, elected by the Socialist Party. The former mayor was Maria do Carmo Pires Almeida Borges. The municipal holiday is November 27.