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The
autonomous region of Cantabria is located in the north of Spain and lies
on the coast of the Cantabrian sea. It borders the Cantabrian sea in the
north, the Basque Country in the east, Castile and Leon in the south and
the Principality of Asturias in the west.
The
region can be divided into two distinct areas: inland and the coast. The
most notable natural landmark inland is the Cantabrian mountain range,
while on the coast the most striking scenery is formed by the Mayor and
Ajo capes. The coast has beautiful beaches, and is also lined with steep
sheer cliff faces. The interior of the region is dominated by the Picos de
Europa, with Peña Vieja summit at 2,613 m tall forming the highest peak
in the region. The rivers are short and full of water, given the high
rainfall, and the waters that nourish the rivers from the melting ice up
in the mountains. The most notable rivers are: the Agüera, the Ason, the
Miera, the Pas, the Besaya, the Nansa and the Deva (that it shares with
the Principality of Asturias). The Ebro river is the most abundant river
on the Spanish mainland, springing from Fontibre, it does not have much
water as it rises from the Mediterranean basin. The geography of the
region is dominated by the most important hydrographical vertex in the
whole of Spain: Peña Labrada, where the Cantabrian, the Duero and Ebro
basins all meet.
Population
The
population of this autonomous region according to figures from the Spanish
National Statistics Institute (INE) as of the 1st of January 2001, after
having reviewed the Inhabitants register is 537,606.
According
to the aforementioned figures, the amount of inhabitants residing in the
capital, Santander is 185,231. The population growth in Cantabria has not
experienced any drastic changes throughout the twentieth century, due to
the amount of inhabitants that have migrated from the region. The number
of inhabitants in 1900 was 276,003, and increased to a total of 530,281 in
the last decade of the twentieth century. The majority of Cantabria's
population lives in cities. In spite of this fact, the region is also
noted for having a well-dispersed population, residing in small towns and
villages in the inland areas of the region.
Administration
Cantabria
is a one province autonomous region. The capital is Santander.
Cantabria's
Regional Council is the major administrative entity in the region. The
Autonomy Statute of Cantabria was approved by the Spanish Parliament in
December 1981. There are 39 elected members in Cantabria's Parliament. The
members are elected every four years, along with the Council's President.
Weather
The
autonomous region of Cantabria has an Atlantic climate. The climate is
similar inland as well as on the coast, with variations depending on
geography.
The
Atlantic climate, both warm and damp, applies to the whole region, except
in the inland areas where it is influenced by the altitude. Temperatures
are mild throughout the year, except in mountain areas where temperatures
can fall below freezing with heavy snowfalls.
Infrastructures
In
spite of the difficult mountainous conditions, Cantabria boasts an
excellent network of transport systems that are constantly being improved.
A
significant amount of freight and passengers pass through the port of
Santander, and there is a regular route connecting the region with the
south of England. The airport is also in Santander, and has an excellent
infrastructure to cope with the influx of tourists. Road and rail links
connect the whole of the region's cities, with the coastal routes being
the most popular as they connect the major cities and towns along the
coast. The road network can be divided into two intersections. One, the
North Road, which goes as far as Bilbao, and which facilitates
communications between the Cantabrian towns of Cabezón de la Sal and
Torrelavega with Castro Urdiales and Ontón. And the second, which links
Santander and Torrelavega with Reinosa, in the direction of Burgos.
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