Galicia

I

Introduction

Galicia (ancient Gallaecia or Callaecia), autonomous region in north-western Spain, comprising the provinces of La Coruña, Lugo, Orense, and Pontevedra. Galicia is bordered on the east by the Spanish autonomous regions of Asturias and Castilla-Léon, to the south by Portugal, and to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean. The region has an area of 29,575 sq km (11,419 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

Galicia’s coastline is carved with deep, fiord-like estuaries called rias. Geographically, this coastal region is divided into the Rias Altas, in the north, and the Rias Baixas, in the south. The Rias Altas coastline is characterized by rugged cliffs and a mountainous landscape, while the Rias Baixas offer a warmer climate and numerous sandy beaches, with inlets and coves. The climate of the rias is typically moderate, rarely falling below 0° C (32° F) or reaching 30° C (86° F), with a high annual rainfall. The region is crossed by an extensive network of waterways, the most important of which is the River Miño. Smaller rivers and tributaries include the Eume, Sil, Tambre, and Ulla. Much of the region is covered by woodland, with large expanses of oak, chestnut, pine, and eucalyptus forests.

III

Population

Galicia has 2,772,533 inhabitants (2007), with an average population density of 93 people per sq km (241 per sq mi). The capital of the region is Santiago de Compostela (population, 2007, 93,712). Other major cities in the region include Ferrol (2007, 75,181); La Coruña (2007, 244,388); Orense (2007, 107,186); and Vigo (2007, 294,772).

Most of the inhabitants of Galicia speak Galician, or Gallego; the language holds official status in the region and is technically closer to Portuguese than Spanish. Higher education institutions in the region include the University of Santiago de Compostela, the University of Vigo, and the University of A Coruña. An important Roman Catholic pilgrimage route ends in the town of Santiago de Compostela. Begun in ad 813 with the discovery of the tomb of St James the Great in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the Way of St James (which begins in the Pyrenees in southern France, and passes through the Spanish regions of Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja, and Castilla-Léon) was heavily travelled in the 11th and 12th centuries, and several inns and monasteries along the route have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Santiago's Old Town was designated a World Heritage Site in 1985, while the well-preserved Roman walls that surround the ancient city of Lugo were inscribed on the List in 2000.

IV

Economy

The region is mainly agricultural; fishing and timber are also important. The ports of Ferrol and Vigo are major international trading centres. Ferrol is an important naval base, with one of the largest natural harbours in Spain. Shipbuilding and ship repair are also of great importance to the region’s economy, with major docks and shipyards at La Coruña, Ferrol, and Vigo. Inland, the rural provinces of Lugo and Orense depend primarily on traditional agriculture, practised on small plots of land called minifundios. The chief crops produced include maize, wheat, rye, barley, and potatoes. The Rias Baixas is an important winegrowing region. Tourism is of increasing economic importance, with the beaches and the pilgrimage route attracting large numbers of visitors.