The geography and climate of Galicia

Location

Galicia is situated in the north western part of Spain. Above it lays the Mar Cantabrico and the Bay of Biscay, whilst to the west is the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Galicia also has an international boundary with Portugal and national boundaries with other Spanish regions including Asturias.

Division

The region is divided into 4 provinces, namely, la Coruna, Ourense, Pontevedra and Lugo. Each province has a provincial capital that takes its name from that of the province. The regional capital for the whole of Galicia is Santiago de Compostela in the la Coruna district. In addition to the cities named above, Ferrol and Vigo (the latter with the region's biggest population and industry base) are the other main population centres of the area.

Coast

Galicia has a long expanse of coast and beaches and this is divided into what are described as the rias altas and rias baxias, or upper and lowers bays. It is the protected nature of these bays which, it is claimed, result in the distinctive and superior taste of shellfish from the Galician waters. Galicia has a higher count of beaches on its coastline than any other region in Spain, so you will never be short of somewhere to sunbathe.

Climate

The Galician climate is one of four different temperate seasons and the region is often referred to (by other Spaniards) as the wet or rainy region. Despite this, it is those in the south and central cities of Spain that flee to Galicia in July and August to escape the heat of the south and to enjoy the warm, but not oppressive, Galician summer weather.

The local geography is also dramatically different from that of Spain’s south with meadows, hills and mountains, all demonstration why Galicia is nick-named Green Spain. The area is also known as the region of rivers and has several long rivers including the Mino and Sil covering large swathes of Galicia before running off into the sea.

A few facts and figures

If you like facts, then here are a few statistics about Galicia.

1. The city with the biggest population = Vigo. It has over 300,000 inhabitants.
2. Population of Galicia = 3 million approx.
3. The number of British ex pats living in the region = less than 1000 (or so estimates tell us).
4. The number of provinces = 4 (La Coruna, Pontevedra, Ourense and Lugo).
5. All but 7 of the area's towns and cities have a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants.
6. 90% of the region's population live withing 25 miles of the coast.
7. It is approx 2,000 km from (London) England to Galicia.
8. Galicia is an autonomous (self governing) region, one of 17 in Spain.
9. Galicia has its own regional language called gallego.
10. On occasion, summer temperatures can reach 30 to 35 degrees Centigrade and, although uncommon, it can freeze and snow in winter (as it did in December 2010).