| The region elected its first parliament in 1981 | | | | city grew around the shrine and became, after |
| following autonomy from Madrid. The Galego or | | | | Jerusalem and Rome, the most famous Christian |
| Galician is the official language of the region, it is | | | | place of pilgrimage. It still thrives today as a |
| closely related to Portuguese and while most | | | | pilgrimage site and has inevitably become a tourist |
| inhabitants understand it, only about half use it | | | | centre. It is an archiepiscopal see and has a |
| primarily. | | | | university that was founded 1501. The economy |
| In the 5th and 6th centuries Galicia was the | | | | is based on agriculture, the manufacture of linen |
| centre of the kingdom of the German Suevi. | | | | and paper and tourism. Its most remarkable |
| Moorish rule followed but the king of Asturias | | | | building is the cathedral, which replaced the earlier |
| liberated it during the 9th century. Its people's | | | | sanctuary after its destruction by the Moors in |
| strong spirit of independence was shown during | | | | the 10th century. Its construction started in the |
| the Middle Ages when the feudal lords often | | | | 11th century and was completed during 13th. |
| rebelled against the crown and again in the early | | | | Constructed in Romanesque style, the cathedral |
| 19th century by the general resistance to | | | | has had baroque and plateresque additions and |
| occupation by Napoleonic forces Later in that | | | | restorations. Other historic buildings include the |
| same century Galicia was the scene of a | | | | Royal Hospital from the early 16th century that |
| somewhat surprising cultural and literary revival. | | | | was built by Ferdinand and Isabella to |
| Galicia is a mountainous region, with several fast | | | | accommodate poor pilgrims. |
| flowing rivers tumbling towards the Atlantic | | | | Lugo is capital of Lugo province, it lies on the |
| Ocean, of which the Mino is the most important. | | | | Minot River. The city is the processing and |
| The area relies heavily on agriculture with | | | | economic centre for the surrounding fertile farm |
| extensive cattle and pig farming, food processing | | | | area. One of the largest slaughterhouses in Spain |
| and fishing are also important. There is a large | | | | is in Lugo. It has a cathedral dating from the 12th |
| petroleum refinery at A Coruna and a strategic | | | | century and well-preserved Roman walls from the |
| naval base at El Ferrol. Wind farms produce much | | | | 3rd century. |
| of the region's electricity. | | | | The city of Ourense is the capital of province of |
| A Coruna, formerly known as La Coruna is the | | | | the same name. It lies at the centre of an |
| capital of province of the same name. | | | | agricultural region with extensive vineyards. There |
| A Coruna reached its height as a port and a | | | | is some light industry. Formally a Roman |
| textile centre in the late Middle Ages. The Armada | | | | settlement, it reached its greatest importance as |
| sailed from its harbour in 1588 intent on collecting | | | | the capital of the kings of the Suevi during the |
| the Spanish army from Holland and the | | | | 5th and 6th centuries. It has a fine 12th century |
| subsequent invasion of England. Bad weather and | | | | bridge and a restored Gothic cathedral. There are |
| the English fleet, led by Sir Francis Drake, | | | | hot sulphur springs, known since Roman times. |
| combined to thwart the attempt. 10 years later | | | | Pontevedra is the capital of Pontevedra province. |
| Drake himself paid Coruna a visit and sacked the | | | | It lies at the mouth of the Lerez River on the |
| city. In 1809 during the Peninsular War it was the | | | | Atlantic Ocean. It is a major fishing port. Clothing, |
| scene of the in which Sir John Moore was killed. | | | | leather goods, and fertilizers are made, and farm |
| The city was a focus of antimonarchist sentiment | | | | products are traded. Among its many old |
| during the 19th century. | | | | structures are a Roman bridge, the Gothic Church |
| Today it is a busy Atlantic port and the | | | | of Santa Maria and the picturesque ruins of a 14th |
| distribution centre for the surrounding agricultural | | | | century convent. The city is reputed to have |
| area. It has shipyards, metal works, an oil | | | | been the birthplace of Christopher Columbus's |
| refinery, glass and ceramic plants and an | | | | certainly the Santa Maria, his ship, was built there. |
| important fishing industry. The summer months | | | | Vigo is a large city in the province of Pontevedra |
| see a significant tourist trade. | | | | built on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. It is home |
| Chief landmarks are the Roman Torre de | | | | to an important naval base and one of Spain's |
| Hercules, which is now a lighthouse and a 13th | | | | busiest ports. The country's most important |
| century church. Miradores, glazed window | | | | fishing fleet sails from here. It also has shipyards, |
| balconies, are characteristic of A Coruna. It is the | | | | canneries, petroleum and sugar refineries and |
| site of an arsenal and army garrison. The city is | | | | various light industries. In 1702 a Franco-Spanish |
| also spelled Corunna. | | | | fleet, escorting galleons loaded with gold, silver and |
| Santiago de Compostela is in A Coruna province | | | | precious stones from the Spanish colonies in the |
| and sits on the Sar River. The city is one of the | | | | Americas, was attacked and largely destroyed in |
| chief shrines of Christendom. There in the early | | | | the Bay of Vigo by a combined force of British |
| 9th century a reputed miracle led to the | | | | and Dutch vessels. Several galleons were sunk |
| discovery of the supposed tomb of the apostle | | | | and it is believed that much of the treasure is still |
| St. James the Greater. A sanctuary was built by | | | | at the bottom of the bay. In 1719 the port was |
| Alfonso II of Asturias. During the Middle Ages the | | | | captured by the British. |