GIJóN

'Gijón' (Asturian: 'Xixón') is a coastal industrial city and its municipality in the autonomous community of Asturias in Spain. Early mediaeval texts mention it as "Gigia". It was an important regional Roman city, although the area has been settled since earliest history. The name was originally applied to a small peninsula presently referred to as Cimadevilla, literally "top of village," between two beaches, one of which has a recreational port today. The main port, one of the largest in the north of Spain, is called "El Musel". Gijón has a growing population of approximately 277,000 (2006).

Contents

Geography

Access

Climate

Culture

Sports

El Musel, the Port of Gijón

External links

Geography

The city is situated on the central Asturian coast, from sea level to an altitude of 513 metres at Picu San Martin and 672 metres at Peña de los Cuatro Jueces, bordered on the West by Carreño, the East by Villaviciosa, and to the South by Siero and Llanera
The city is situated along the Asturian coast and is distinguished by the peninsula of Cimadevilla (the original settlement) which separates the beach of San Lorenzo and adjacent neighborhoods to the east from the beaches of Poniente and Arbeyal, the shipyards, and the recreational port and the Port of El Musel to the west. It is close to the other main Asturian cities, Oviedo and Avilés.

Access

The A-66 motorway (Ruta de La Plata), A-8 (Autopista del Cantábrico) and the AS-1 (Autovía Minera) are the main highway accesses. By train, Gijón has daily service to Madrid, La Coruña, Santander, and Barcelona. Cruise ships call at El Musel, and the Airport of Asturias is located in the not far away municipality of Castrillón with daily flights to major Spanish and European cities.

A subway system, called ''Metrotren'', is currently under construction to improve the public transport in Gijón.

There are 22 regular lines of bus and 4 "night lines" of bus called "Buho" and special lines in special events like the ''Feria Internacional de Muestras'' de Gijon (Gijon International Exposition Fair) or the ''Semana Negra'' (literally ''Black Week'')[1], the city's famous one-week Festival based on Hardboiled literature.

Climate

As part of Atlantic Europe, Gijón has an Atlantic Humid continental climate, with mild temperatures and very high humidity throughout the year. The summers are mild warm, with both overcast and sunny days and winters are moderate with significant rains and wind, although the cold climate of Asturias results in snowfall at sea level.

Culture

Gijón has a wide range of museum options. The ''Museo de la Gaita'' (Museum of the Bagpipe) contains bagpipes from around the world, focusing on the Asturian musical heritage and bagpipes. There are also several other museums:

★ Revillagigedo Palace and Museum (At Marqués square, near the City Hall)

★ Nicanor Piñole Museum (An art museum)

★ Evaristo Valle Museum (Local painter museum placed in a mansion at the outskirts)

★ Museo del Ferrocarril (Railroad Museum, near Poniente Beach)

★ Juan Barjola Museum (A museum about a local painter, also interested in avant-garde art)

The City Hall's sports and culture programs for citizens is wide, including the innovative ''Abierto Hasta el Amanecer'' (literally ''From Dusk Till Dawn'') nocturnal program, which tries to involve teens in cultural and sportive activities as an alternative to weekend nightlife.
Gijon has 13 libraries in its Cultural City Centers, which feature a wide network of swimming pools and gyms.

Sports

The Sporting de Gijón football team plays in the Spanish National League and is presently in the second division. Gijón Baloncesto basketball team plays in the Spanish second professional basketball league. In the proximities of the city's area, there are several ski resorts in Asturias, the main being Valgrande-Pajares.
Gijón has 13 community centers (in Spanish: Centros Municipales Integrados) with swimming pools, gyms and saunas. Swimming pools are free for children up to age 14.
The city's marina houses an important fleet of yachts and is the base for many water sports.
'180º panoramic view of Gijón's Marina and ''Cimadevilla'' district.'

El Musel, the Port of Gijón

El Musel is the leading port in the Spanish dry bulk traffic, sixth in the general ranking of Spanish ports and the fourth in benefits. It is equipped with the most advanced installations, and it is adequate and suitable for any kind of traffic.

External links

★ Ayuntamiento de Gijón

★ Official Touristic website of Gijón

★ Port of Gijón

★ Website of Real Sporting de Gijón (football team)

★ Website of Gijón Baloncesto (basketball team)

★ Asturias Cities(in English)

★ Images of Gijón, Guide to Asturian Gastronomy and Virtual tours.

★ Tourist attractions in Gijón