SPAIN : BILBAO
Bilbao
is the largest city in the Pais Vasco (Baque country) in the North of
Spain. It is also the capital of the province of Vizcaya (Basque:
Bizkaia). The city proper has over 350,000 inhabitants (2004) and is the
most economically and industrially active part of Gran Bilbao, the zone
in which more than half of the Pais Vasco’s population lives.
A major
seaport and industrial centre, the city is located on the river Nervión,
and its suburbs extend to the Bay of Biscay. Once famous for its
shipyards and chimneystacks , Bilbao is now best known as a tourist
destination, offering lots of pleasant surprises to the visitor.The
construction of the Guggenheim Museum here was the beginning of the
city’s cultural and tourist rebirth. However, the city has a lot more to
offer than just this amazing piece of modern architecture.
The old
city or Casco Viejo has retained its ancient charm next to the wide
boulevards of the new and modern part. From the historic university of
Deusto to the teeming suburbs of Santxu, Bilbao offers a delight of
vibrant life, remarkable buildings, stunning bridges, lovely parks and
interesting museums.. Surrounded by glorious green hills, the natural
setting is fabulous, with the river Nervion running through it. Bilbao
certainly has a lot of assets to lure visitors to come over on a short
holiday break.
Gran
Bilbao’s 946,829 inhabitants are spread along the length of the Nervion
River, whose banks are home also to numerous business and factories,
which during the industrial revolution brought heightened prosperity to
the region.
In the
north, Bilbao’s city edge is considered to be around the towns of
Erandio, Sondika and Derio, in the east it is encompassed by Zamudio and
Etxebarri. The southern border passes outside Basauri and Arrigorriaga
and in the west, Santurtzi and Muskiz are the furthest extremes.
