Santander, Cantabria
167546
225230257
2008-07-12T16:13:44Z
194.158.83.34
{{Spanish city |
image_skyline = |
image_skyline_size = |
image_skyline_caption = |
native_name = Santander|
spanish_name = Santander|
nickname = |
city_motto = |
city_motto_means = |
image_flag = City of Santander, Spain Flag (Oficial version).PNG|
image_flag_size = 115px|
image_coat_of_arms = City of Santander, Spain Coat of arms (Oficial version).png|
image_coat_of_arms_size = 90px|
image_city_map = Santander, Spain location.png|
image_city_map_size = 255px|
image_city_map_caption = Location of Santander|
lat_long = |
time_zone = |
time_zone_summer = |
founded = |
native_language = Spanish|
community = Cantabria|
community_link = Cantabria|
province = Cantabria|
province_link = Cantabria|
comarca = Santander Bay|
comarca_link = Santander Bay|
divisions = |
neighborhoods = |
mayor = Íñigo de la Serna|
political_party = PP|
political_party_link = People's Party|
area = 35 |
altitude = 0-15|
population = 182.926|
date-population = 2007|
population-ranking = |
density = 5.226|
date-density = 2007|
website = http://portal.ayto-santander.es/ |
postal_code = 39.0XX|
area_code = |
}}
The port city of '''Santander''' is the capital of the autonomous community of [[Cantabria]] situated on the north coast of [[Spain]] between [[Asturias]] (to the west) and the Basque Country (to the east). Population in [[2007]] was about 184,000. Just over a third of Cantabrians live in Santander. The city is the home of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Santander]].
==History==
In the [[Roman Empire]], the town was known as '''Portus Victoriae Iuliobrigensium'''. Its present name is derived from [[St Emeterio]] (''Santemter, Santenter, Santander''), a martyr whose head was brought there in the [[3rd century]], along with that of [[St Celedonio]], according to legend.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13458d.htm CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Santander<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In [[1187]], King [[Alfonso VIII of Castile|Alfonso VIII]] made the [[abbot]] of San Emeterio lord of the town, and in [[1248]] Santander participated in the battle for [[Seville]], receiving a coat of arms as reward.
The city owes its existence to the excellent harbour of the [[Bay of Santander]]. Santander was an important port for [[Crown of Castile|Castile]] in the later [[Middle Ages]], and also for trade with the [[New World]]. It officially became a city in [[1755]].
In [[1893]] the freighter ''[[Cabo Machichaco]]'' exploded in the harbor, killing 500 people.
In the early 1900's Santander became the favored summer residence of King [[Alfonso XIII of Spain|Alfonso XIII]], the city gained great popularity from this and from the Victorian enthusiasm for [[sea bathing]] and it remains popular with the Spanish for beach holidays today.
===Great Fire of 1941===
Santander fell victim to a [[list of historic fires|great fire]] in 1941. Fanned by a strong [[south]] [[wind]], the fire burned for two days. There was only one [[Casualty (person)|casualty]], a [[firefighter]] killed in the line of duty, but thousands of families were left [[homeless]] and the city was plunged into [[chaos]].
When it was over, the historic part of Santander was almost completely destroyed. The fire destroyed the greater part of the [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[downtown]] and gutted the city’s [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[cathedral]].
==Demography==
[[As of 2004]], Santander has a population of 183,800. The number has remained fairly steady since [[1981]]. Spain's low [[fecundity]] rate and aging population have combined with rising [[immigration]] figures to keep the population growth fairly stagnant. Nevertheless, the Santander [[conurbation]] continues to [[urban sprawl|sprawl]] as young families move away from the high [[cost of living]] in the heart of the city.
{{demography 7col|510px|[[1981]]|[[1986]]|[[1991]]|[[1996]]|[[2000]]|[[2004]]|[[2006]]
|180 328|186 145|191 079|185 410|184 264|183 799|183 955}}
==Tourism==
[[Image:Cabo Menor.jpg|200px|thumb|Santander]]
Today Santander remains a popular tourist destination. It is renowned for its mild, (though rainy) climate.
* Next to the Sardinero beach is a European style [[casino]].
* The [[Sardinero]] beaches are nice urban beaches, certain parts of which are popular among local surfers.
* The [[Plaza de Cañadío]] is a very popular place to start a night of drinking. The Plaza immediately borders seven different bars, and many other taverns are close by.
* There are many interesting shops at the [[Cuatro Caminos]] and the area bordering the [[Ayuntamiento]]
<gallery>
Image:Santander.Playa.Sardinero.jpg|El Sardinero
Image:Santander.Playa.Magdalena.jpg|La Magdalena
Image:Santander.Gran.Casino.jpg|Casino
Image:Santander.Plaza.Cañadio.jpg|Plaza de Cañadío
</gallery>
==Education==
*[[University of Cantabria]] is the largest university in [[Cantabria]].
*[[Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo]] (UIMP) specializes in teaching foreigners about Spanish [[Spanish language|language]] and [[Spanish culture|culture]]
==External links==
{{commons|Santander|Santander}}
*[http://www.webcamsantander.com Webcams de Santander y Cantabria ] — Live webcams Santander and Cantabria.
*[http://portal.ayto-santander.es/ Ayuntamiento de Santander ] — Official website of the Santander [[Ayuntamiento]] (In [[Spanish language|Spanish]]).
*[http://www.cantabria102municipios.com/santander/santander/descripcion_general.htm Santander] - Cantabria 102 Municipios
*[http://www.gobcantabria.es/pls/interportal/url/page/inet/servicios/webcam Webcam en Puertochico] — Live webcam of Santander's [[Puertochico]] district.
*[http://tiempo.fiochi.com Tiempo y webcam de Santander desde El Sardinero] — Live webcam and weather station at Sardinero beach
*[http://www.cantabria102municipios.com Municipios de Cantabria, incluyendo Santander]—All the cities and villages in Cantabria, incluiding Santander: History, Demography and more exhaustive information
*[http://www.rutasporcantabria.com/santander_pictures.php Pictures of Santander] — More than 100 photos of this city.
*[http://www.rutasporcantabria.com/santander Santander, rutas y monumentos] — Touristic routes, museums, monuments...
{{Geolinks-cityscale|43.4611|-3.8094}}
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{Cantabria}}
[[Category:Cantabria| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities in Cantabria]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Spain]]
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