Galicia
In Coruna, Lugo, Pontevedra, Ourense
Superficy 29.512 km2
Population 2.870.858 hab.
Capital Santiago de Compostela
Climate Temperatures
Winter : 12,5° Spring: 17,6°
Summer : 23,5° Autumn : 17,8°
 The main cities are Vigo, A Coruña (Corunna in
English), Pontevedra, Lugo, Ferrol, Ourense, and Santiago de
Compostela, the region's capital and archiepiscopal seat, and home of
the shrine which gave rise to medieval Europe's most famous pilgrimage
route, The Way of St James.
Finisterre on the Atlantic coast of Galicia
Enlarge
Finisterre on the Atlantic coast of Galicia
Geographically, one of the most important features of Galicia is the
presence of many fjord-like indentations on the coast, estuaries that
were drowned with rising sea levels after the ice age. These are called
rías and are divided into the Rías Altas, the Rías
Medias, and the Rías Baixas. Most of the population live near
the Rías Baixas, where several large urban centers including
Vigo and Pontevedra are located. The rias are important for fishing,
and make the coast of Galicia one of the most important fishing areas
of the world. The spectacular landscapes and wildness of the coast
attract great numbers of tourists.
The weather is Atlantic, with mild temperatures all over the year.
Santiago de Compostela has an average 100 days of rain a year. The
interior, specifically the more mountainous parts of Ourense and Lugo,
receive significant freezes and snowfall during the winter months.
Galicia has preserved much of its dense Atlantic forests where wildlife
is commonly found. It is scarcely polluted, and its landscape composed
of green hills, cliffs and rias is very different to what is commonly
understood as Spanish landscape.
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