A BitAbout Asturias

Coat of Arms Flag

Where are we?• The Principality of

Asturias is an autonomous community within the kingdom of Spain. It is situated on the Spanish north coast.

• The most important cities are the provincial capital, Oviedo, the seaport and largest city, Gijón, and the industrial town of Avilés.

• The only official language in Asturias is Spanish. The Asturian language (Bable) is also spoken in some places but it is not official.

Climate and beaches

• The climate of Asturias, as with the rest of northwestern Spain, is more varied than that of the southern parts of the country. Summers are generally humid and warm, with considerable sunshine, but also some rain. Winters are mild with some very cold snaps.

• Both rain and snow are regular weather features of Asturian winters.

• The Asturian coastline is extensive with sandy, clean and bordered by steep cliffed beaches but cold water.

Language

Spanish is the oficial language in Asturias;but, there is also a second, but

not used language: Asturian.

Territorial organization of Asturias

• The community is divided in 78 councils.

• The smaller organization is the parish.• There are different districts in each

parish.• From a judicial point of view, Asturias

is divided in 18 judicial parties.• From the sanitary point of view,

Asturias has 8 Sanitary Areas, 2 Sanitary Districts, 66 Basic Zones of Health and 15 Special Zones of Health.

Economy

• The economy is divided in three sectors:

1)Primary: cattle, agriculture, fishing…2)Secondary: iron and steel industry,

feeding, transports…3)Third: commerce, tourism

Food

• The most famous regional dish is fabada, a rich stew typically made with large white beans, pork shoulder, black sausage and spicy sausage.

• Sidra is a traditional alcoholic drink which is made with apples.

Fabada

Sidra

Natural sightseeing• Some natural places

are: the Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) form Asturias natural border to the south. In the eastern range, we have got the Picos de Europa National Park . Other notable features of this predominantly-limestone range are the Parque Natural de Redes in the central east, the central Ubiñas south of Oviedo, and the Parque Natural de Somiedo in the west.

Naranjo de Bulnes

Asturian music• The music of Asturias is

varied. The most typical instrument in traditional music is the Asturian bagpipe, which has a single drone in common with the traditional bagpipes of other Celtic nations such as Wales & Ireland.The bagpipe is often accompanied by hand drum, whistles and accordion. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional folk music, and several music ensembles have gained regional and international recognition for their ethnomusilogical study and presentation of indigenous Asturian music.

Famous citizens • Fernando Alonso,

Formula 1 racing driver, 2005 and 2006 world champion

• Letizia, Princess of Asturias, a native of Oviedo and wife of Felipe, Prince of Asturias

• Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, philosopher, politician, Enlightenment thinker

• Severo Ochoa, 1959 Nobel Prize winner for physiology or medicine

• David Villa, Valencia C.F. and Spain international football star. European champion

WE ARE SURE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME IN

ASTURIAS!