GALICIA

GEOGRAPHY

• Mountains toward southeastern border
• Extensive river system
• Atlantic Ocean on western border
• Bay of Biscay to the north

FAMOUS CITIES/LANDMARKS

• Capital is Santiago de Compostela
• Famous landmarks include Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Tower of Hercules, and The Roman Walls of Lugo

CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

• Burial site of Saint James the Great
• Burial site rediscovered in 829 and church was built
• Church was burned down by Muslims in 997 and started building present cathedral in 1075
• University added in 1495 after Columbus visits and shares discovery of new world

TOWER OF HERCULES

• Ancient Roman lighthouse
• 180 feet tall
• Almost 1900 years old
• Rehabilitated in 1791
• Oldest Roman lighthouse still in use today!

THE ROMAN WALLS OF LUGO

• Constructed in 3rd century
• Over 2km long
• Festival at wall Arde Lucus celebrates Roman past in Galicia
• Built to defend city of Lucus Augusti, also where Lugo's name originated
• 4.2m wide and 12m tall

HISTORY

• Generally poor region
• First in Roman Empire 19BC
• Power changes hands many times between 710-13th century
• High demand for self government
• Statute of Autonomy (1936-Franco)(1981-now)
• Franco outlawed Galician culture and language

MARIA PITA

• Defended city of Corunna against English counter armada in 1589
• Fought hand to hand with English soldiers
• Killed soldier with banner, climbed to top of wall, and shouted "Whoever has honor, follow me!"
• Led to retreat of English
• Santiago de Compostela's main square is named after Maria Pita

INDUSTRY/CUISINE

INDUSTRY

• Historically known for...
• Shipbuilding
• Fishing
• Agriculture
• Wine, milk, wheat, and grapes

CUISINE

• Galicia is a coastal region known for its seafood
• The most famous dishes include empanadas(stuffed pie), caldo galego(bean soup), centolla(crab dish), and octopus

CUSTOMS

• Mostly religious based holidays such as Saint days
• Biggest is Festividade do Apóstolo Santiago
• Common to hear bagpipe music due to Celtic origin
• 1st Sunday of August is the re-enactment of Viking invasion (Galicians fought off during dark ages)

INTERESTING FACTS

• Largest fishing fleet in the European Union
• Galician language (Gallego) sets Galicia apart from rest of Spain and Galicians are proud of this
• Argentina's capital has highest Galician population due to Spanish immigration during civil war
• Spanish Armada launched from Galicia
• Over 750 beaches, over 4000 fiestas each year

Sources
Brittanica.com
USA Today
Everyculture.com
Galiciaguide.com
Google images
Wordpress.com