Asturias is situated in a mountainous setting with vast greenery and lush vegetation, making it part ofGreen Spain. The region has amaritime climate. It receives plenty of annual rainfall and little sunshine by Spanish standards and has very moderate seasons, most often averaging in the lower 20sCelsius. Heat waves are rare due to mountains blocking southerly winds. Winters are very mild for the latitude, especially near sea level.
Asturias was inhabited first byHomo erectus, then byNeanderthals. Since theLower Paleolithic era, and during theUpper Paleolithic, Asturias was characterized by cave paintings in the eastern part of the area.[10] In theMesolithic period, a native culture developed, that of theAsturiense, and later, with the introduction of theBronze Age,megaliths andtumuli were constructed. In theIron Age, the territory came under the cultural influence of theCelts; the local Celtic peoples, known as theAstures, were composed of tribes such as theLuggones, thePesicos, and others, who populated the entire area withcastros (fortified hill towns). Today theAstur Celtic influence persists inplace names, such as those of rivers and mountains.[11]
With the conquest of Asturias by theRomans underAugustus (29–19 BC), the region entered into recorded history. The Astures were subdued by the Romans, but were never fully conquered. After several centuries without foreign presence, they enjoyed a brief revival during the Germanic invasions of the late 4th century AD, resistingSuebi andVisigoth raids throughout the 5th century AD, ending with theMoorish invasion of Spain. However, as it had been for the Romans and Visigoths, the Moors did not find mountainous territory easy to conquer, and the lands along Spain's northern coast never became part ofIslamic Spain. With the beginning of the Moorish conquest in the 8th century, this region became a refuge for Christian nobles, and in 722, ade facto independent kingdom was established, theRegnum Asturorum, which was to become the cradle of the incipientReconquista (Reconquest).[12]
In the 10th century, the Kingdom of Asturias gave way to theKingdom of León, and during theMiddle Ages the geographic isolation of the territory made historical references scarce. Through the rebellion of Prince Henry (the laterHenry II of Castile) in the 14th century, the Principality of Asturias was established. The most famous proponents of independence were Gonzalo Peláez andQueen Urraca, who, while achieving significant victories, were ultimately defeated byCastilian troops. After its integration into theKingdom of Spain, Asturias provided the Spanish court with high-ranking aristocrats and played an important role in the colonisation of America. Since 1388, the heir to the Castilian (later Spanish) throne has been styledPrince (or Princess) of Asturias. In the 16th century, the population reached 100,000 for the first time, and within another century that number would double due to the arrival of Americancorn.[13]
During theNapoleonic Wars, Asturias was the first Spanish province to rise up against the French following the abdication of KingFerdinand VII on 10 May 1808. Riots began in Oviedo and on 25 May the local government formally declared war onNapoleon with 18,000 men called to arms to resist invasion.[14]
TheIndustrial Revolution came to Asturias after 1830 with the discovery and systematic exploitation of coal mines and iron factories at themining basins ofNalón andCaudal. At the same time, there was significant migration tothe Americas (especiallyArgentina,Uruguay,Puerto Rico,Cuba andMexico); those who succeeded overseas often returned to their native land much wealthier. These entrepreneurs were known collectively asIndianos, for having visited and made their fortunes in theWest Indies and beyond. The heritage of these wealthy families can still be seen in Asturias today: the region is dotted with many largemodernista villas, as well as cultural institutions such as free schools and public libraries.[15]
Location of Asturias and its neighbors in 800 AD
Asturias played an important part in the events that led up to theSpanish Civil War. In October 1934, Asturian miners and other workers staged an armed uprising (seeRevolution of Asturias) to oppose the coming to power of theright-wing CEDA party, which had obtained three ministerial posts in the centralist government of theSecond Spanish Republic. For a month, a Popular Front Committee exercised control in southern Asturias, while local workers committees sprang up elsewhere in the region. A defense committee led byanarcho-syndicalist supporters took power in Oviedo. Troops under the command of a then-unknown general namedFrancisco Franco Bahamonde were brought fromSpanish Morocco to suppress the revolt. Franco applied tactics normally reserved for overseas colonies, using troops of theSpanish Legion andMoroccan troops; ferocious oppression followed.[16]
As a result, Asturias remained loyal to the republican government during theSpanish Civil War, and was the scene of an extraordinary defence in extreme terrain, theBattle of El Mazuco. With Franco eventually gaining control of all of Spain, Asturias — traditionally linked to theSpanish Crown — was known merely as the "Province of Oviedo" from 1939 until Franco's death in 1975. The province's name was restored fully after the return of democracy to Spain in 1977. In the 50s and 60s the industrial progress of Asturias continued with the constitution of national enterprises likeEnsidesa and Hunosa, but the 80s was the decade of a dramaticindustrial restructuring.
On 30 December 1981,[17] Asturias became an autonomous community within the decentralised territorial structure established by the Constitution of 1978.[18]Rafael Luis Fernández Álvarez, who had previously served as the President of the Regional Council since 1978, became the firstPresident of the Principality of Asturias, upon the adoption of autonomy.[17] TheAsturian regional government holds comprehensive competencies in important areas such as health, education and protection of the environment. The current president, elected in 2019, isAdrián Barbón (PSOE).
Asturias is organised territorially into 78municipalities, further subdivided intoparishes.
Asturias is also divided into eightcomarcas, which are not administrative divisions. They are only used as a system to homogenize the statistical data made by the Principality.
Theparroquia or parish is the subdivision of the Asturian municipalities. Currently, there are 857 parishes integrating the 78 municipalities in the region, and they usually coincide with the ecclesiastic divisions.
TheCantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) form Asturias's natural border with the province ofLeón to the south. In the eastern range, thePicos de Europa National Park contains the highest and arguably most spectacular mountains, rising to 2,648 metres (8,688 ft) at the Torrecerredo peak. Other notable features of this predominantly limestone range are theParque Natural de Redes in the central east, the central Ubiñas south ofOviedo, and theParque Natural de Somiedo in the west. The Cantabrian mountains offer opportunities for activities such as climbing, walking, skiing and caving, and extend some 200 kilometres (120 mi) in total, as far asGalicia province to the west of Asturias andCantabria province to the east. Similar opportunities are available for the interested traveler of Asturias inCaldoveiro Peak.
The Asturian coastline is extensive, with hundreds of beaches, coves and natural sea caves. Notable examples include the Playa del Silencio (Beach of Silence) near the fishing village of Cudillero (west ofGijón), as well as the many beaches surrounding the summer resort of Llanes, such as the Barro, Ballota and Torimbia (the latter a predominantlynudist beach). Most of Asturias's beaches are sandy, clean, and bordered by steep cliffs, on top of which it is not unusual to see grazing livestock.
The key features of Asturian geography are its rugged coastal cliffs and the mountainous interior.The climate of Asturias is heavily marked by the Gulf Stream. Falling within the Cantabrian belt known asGreen Spain it has high precipitations all year round. Summers are mild and, on the coast, winters also have relatively benign temperatures, rarely including frost. The cold is especially felt in the mountains, where snow is present from October till May. Both rain and snow are regular weather features of Asturian winters. In coastal or near-coastal areas, daytime high temperatures generally average around 12 °C (54 °F) – 13 °C (55 °F) during winter and 22 °C (72 °F) – 23 °C (73 °F) in summer.[20]
This part of Spain is one of the best conserved in the entire country, and full of vegetation and wild spaces. It holds two of the most important natural parks in Spain, and is very renowned for the Picos de Europa and Somiedo areas.
The Gijón area was marked and singled out as one of thepollution hotspots in Western Europe in a 2015 report from the International Institute for Applied Science Systems, where predictions for 2030 conditions were made.[24][25] Gijón was marked much higher than any other Spanish metro area, in spite of the much larger populations in cities such asMadrid andBarcelona. This was attributed to heavy industrial activities. Since outdoor air pollution is a major cause of premature death in Europe,[26] the excessive pollution is a major concern for Asturias. The majority of Asturias population live within a 25 kilometres (16 mi) range from the port of Gijón, so pollution would be likely to heavily affect the population.
A Spanish government study conducted in 2010 regarding life expectancy in relative communities, Asturias was ranked lowest (tied withAndalucia) for male life expectancy with 76.7 years from 2007 readings.[27] However, female life expectancy was 84 years and normal among autonomous communities. However, even the male life expectancy is only just below Western European standards, and exaggerated by the high Spanish life expectancy. Considering that many Asturians live in relatively close proximity to Gijón's heavily industrial areas, these figures (especially for female relative health) still contribute to a position that Gijón is a safe location to live. The numbers for "disability-free" life expectancy has risen significantly both for males and females in the area since 1986, according to the report.[26]
The coal fired electric generating plant, Aboño, completed a Spanish government/EU demand to install equipment to drastically reduce its emissions. Also, the other two major polluters - Arcelor Gijón and Arcelor Avilés - have announced an investment of 100 million euros to do the same. These factories have been a major cause of the area's high airborne pollution.[citation needed]
As of 2024, Asturias has a population of 1,009,599 which constitutes 2.1% of the population of Spain, with the population density numbering 95.2 people per square kilometer.
The Asturian population has the highest mortality rate in Spain and the lowesttotal fertility rate (1.03), the lowest in the European Union.[29]
Immigration is not as high as in the rest of Spain, as immigrants only represent 3.65% of the population as of 2017.
The only official language in Asturias isSpanish. TheAsturian language, also known as Bable, is also spoken, and is protected by law (Ley 1/1998, de 23 de marzo, de uso y promoción del bable/asturiano — "Law 1/1998, of 23 March, of Use and Promotion of Bable/Asturian"). It is sometimes used by the Asturiancivil service. In the western part of Asturias,Eonavian is also spoken, and its promotion also falls under the responsibility of Law 1/1998. Eonavian isintermediate between Asturian andGalician, though it is often regarded as just a variety of Galician; its use in the Asturian Administration is minor compared to the use of the Asturian language. Within Asturias, there is an ongoing process to establishplace names in Asturian and Eonavian dialects.
The organisation and political structure of Asturias is governed by theStatute of Autonomy of the Principality of Asturias, in force since 30 January 1982. According to the Statute, the institutional bodies of the Principality of Asturias are three: theCouncil of Government, theGeneral Junta andPresident. The form of government of the Principality isParliament: The General Junta is thelegislature to choose, on behalf of the Asturian people, the President of the Principality of Asturias. The president of the Principality is also the president of the Council of Government, the head ofexecutive power, and politically answerable to the General Junta.
The functions of the General Junta are the approval of budgets, and the direction and control of the action of the Council of Government. It is composed of 45 deputies, elected for four years through the universal suffrage within a system proportional representation that the allocation of deputies is based on D'Hondt method.
For centuries, the backbone of the Asturian economy wasagriculture andfishing.Milk production and its derivatives was also traditional, but its big development was a byproduct of the economic expansion of the late 1960s. Nowadays, products from the dairy cooperative Central Lechera Asturiana are being commercialised all over Spain.
The main regional industry in modern times, however, wascoal mining andsteel production: in the times of Francisco Franco's dictatorship, it was the centre of Spain's steel industry. The then state-owned ENSIDESA steel company is now part of the privatisedAceralia, now part of theArcelorMittal Group. The industry created many jobs, which resulted in significant migration from other regions in Spain, mainlyExtremadura,Andalusia andCastile and León.
The steel industry is now in decline when measured in terms of number of jobs provided, as is the mining. The reasons for the latter are mainly the high costs of production to extract the coal compared to other regions. Regional economic growth is below the broader Spanish rate, though in recent years growth in service industries has helped reduce Asturias's high rate of unemployment. Large out-of-town retail parks have opened near the region's largest cities (Gijón and Oviedo), whilst the ever-present Spanish construction industry appears to continue to thrive.
Asturias has benefited extensively since 1986 fromEuropean Union investment in roads and other essentialinfrastructure, though there has also been some controversy regarding how these funds are spent, for example, on miners' pensions.
TheGross domestic product (GDP) of the autonomous community was 23.3 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 1.9% of Spanish economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 24,400 euros or 81% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 98% of the EU average.[31] This makes the region the 10th richest in Spain, a big decrease from the 1970s/1980s - the heyday of the Spanish mining industry, when Asturias was commonly regarded as one of the most prosperous regions in Southern Europe. Asturias has been growing below the Spanish national average since the decline of the mining industry, and grew just 0.82% in 2008, the lowest of all regions in Spain. On the plus side, unemployment in Asturias is below the average of Spain; it stood at 13.7% in 2017.[32]
Asturias is served byAsturias International Airport (OVD), 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Oviedo, near the northwest coast and the industrial town of Avilés.
Eastern Asturias is also easily accessible fromSantander Airport. Recent improvements introduced in the road network permit flying intoSantander and later driving into Asturias, which can be entered in less than an hour's drive. The Irish airlineRyanair operates flights toSantander Airport from Frankfurt Hahn, Liverpool, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Stansted and Rome Ciampino.
El Musel (the Port of Gijón) is able to receive cruise ships of any size. Companies such as P&O, Swan Hellenic or Hapag Lloyd choose the Port of Gijón every year for their calls in theAtlantic European Coast. The following areas are available for cruise vessels:
Moliner quay: 313 m berthing with 14 m draught.
7ª Alignment: 326 m with 12 m draught.
Espigón II. South alignment. 360 m berth with 9 m draught.
These locations allow a high degree of access control, with security guaranteed for both vessels and passengers alike. The city centre is only 4 km (2.5 mi) away and the Port Authority provides dedicated coach connection allowing passengers to take advantage of the cultural,gastronomic and commercial opportunities that Gijón has to offer.
Between 2010 and 2014, the city of Gijón was connected byferry with the French city ofNantes.[33] This connection was also known as the "sea highway" and it had a frequency of two ferries per day in both directions. The route was cancelled in September 2014.[34]
Spain's nationalRenfe rail network also serves Asturias well; trains regularly depart to and from the Spanish interior as well as Eastern and Western Asturias. Major stops are the regional capital,Oviedo, and the main coastal city,Gijón. Under theCantabrian Mountains, thePajares Base Tunnel opened for commercial services end of November 2023,[35] introducingAVEhigh speed trains.[36][37]
Gijón, the biggest city of Asturias, is a coastal city known for cultural and sports events,[38][39][40] and a beach tourism centre in northern Spain. It also is known for the traditional Asturian gastronomy and for being an Asturian cider production spot.[citation needed] Museums in the city include theUniversidad Laboral de Gijón, including a modern art museum and theatre.
Avilés is the third largest city in Asturias, where "La villa del adelantado" (as locals call it, in reference ofPedro Menéndez de Avilés) is a meeting point. "Saint Nicholas of Bari" or "Capilla de los Alas" in Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic style, respectively; Palacio de Balsera, in Modernist style or St. Thomas of Canterbury church (dating from the 13th century) are examples which show the historical patrimony to be found in the city.[citation needed] TheCentro Niemeyer, designed by the Brazilian architectOscar Niemeyer, is an example of contemporary architecture in Asturias.
ThePicos de Europa National Park, and other parts of the Asturian mountain range: The Picu Urriellu mountain (2519 m or 8262 ft), also known asEl Naranjo de Bulnes, is a molar-shaped peak which, reputedly, glows orange in the evening sun, hence its name. Weather permitting, it can be viewed from Camarmeña village, near Poncebos, south of Arenas de Cabrales.
The shrine to the Virgin ofCovadonga and the mountain lakes (Los Lagos), nearCangas de Onís: Legend has it that in the 8th century, theVirgin blessed Asturian Christian forces with a well-timed signal to attack Spain's Moorish conquerors, thereby taking the invaders by surprise in theBattle of Covadonga. TheReconquista and eventual unification of all Spain is therefore said to have started in this very location.[41]
Asturias also has examples ofindustrial heritage as a consequence of its industrial activities in the 19th and 20th centuries. It had metallurgical and chemical factories, mines, bridges and railways, including in the towns ofLangreo,Mieres andAvilés.
The Asturian coast: especially the beaches in and around the summer resort ofLlanes, the Playa del Silencio nearCudillero fishing village, or the "white" village ofLuarca (Severo Ochoa hometown).
Ceceda village: east ofOviedo along the N634 road. Of particular interest in this exemplary settlement are the traditionalhorreos (grain silos), raised on stilts so as to keep field mice from getting at the grain.
Thesenda costera (coastal way) between Pendueles andLlanes: This partly paved nature route takes in some of Asturias' most spectacular coastal scenery, such as the noisybufones (blowholes) and the Playa deBallota.
TheGothic style is not as abundant, but there are good examples of this style, such as theCathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo.
TheBaroque style is more present by means of palace architecture, with such notable examples as the Palace of Camposagrado and Velarde - the latter seat ofMuseum of Fine Arts of Asturias. The Baroque style stands out in public civil engineering and bridge tolls (Olloniego); the milestones, the chairs or seats present along the road to Madrid and the resort of Caldas de Priorio (Oviedo) building.
In popular architecture, the traditional granaries in Asturias, calledhórreos, are known for their demographic extension and their functional evolution, its basic characteristic being its mobility: it can be easily dismounted and transported to another location. The Panera is the evolution of the hórreo, with examples exceeding 100 square metres (1,076 square feet) of area covered. The purpose of the horreo is to store objects and crops. With the arrival of maize and the beans, they were endowed with exterior corridors and railings for drying the harvests.
Asturias is home to the only architectural work in Spain (as well as the largest in Europe) of the Brazilian architect and disciple ofLe Corbusier;Oscar Niemeyer: theOscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre. The architectural project was donated to the Principality by the architect, who was awarded thePrince of Asturias Award for the Arts, in the XXV edition of these awards. Niemeyer's project combined several different elements, and projected an open space, a place for education, culture and peace.
In the capital of the Principality stands one of the most representative buildings of modern architecture, thePalace of Congresses of Oviedo, by the Spanish architectSantiago Calatrava, who also awarded the Prince of Asturias of Award for the Arts in 1999.
Special importance has been placed in recent years on the recovery ofindustrial heritage through various routes and industrial museums, especially in the central area of the region.
Some of the most famous festivals in Asturias take place in the small town ofLlanes. These festivals celebrate the important saints and the Virgin Mary adored by the town. The associations that prepare the festivals have a rivalry between them and each year they try to outdo each other with more impressive shows. The three most important are the festival of San Roque (St. Roque) held on the 16th of August, the festival of Nuestra Señora Virgen de La Guia (Our Lady, Virgin Mary, the Guide) held on the 8th of September, and the festival of Santa Maria Magdalena (St. Mary Magdalene) held on the 22nd of July. The Magdalena is well known for its march of logs where boys as young as 3 and men carry logs through the town until they reach the end point and start a large bonfire.
Traditional Asturian dress being worn during a major festival inLlanes
Fabada asturiana and sidra (cider), a typical dish of Asturias
While Asturias is especially known for itsseafood, the most famous regional dish isfabada asturiana, a rich stew typically made with large whitebeans (fabes), shoulder ofpork (lacón), black pudding (morcilla), and spicysausage (chorizo).
Apple groves foster the production of the region's traditional alcoholic drink, a naturalcider (sidra). Since it is natural and bottled without gas, it produces a weak carbonation, and when Asturian cider is served, it is poured in a particular way,el escanciado: the bottle is held above the head allowing for a long vertical pour, causing the cider to be aerated as it splashes into the glass below. After drinking most of the content, it is customary to splash a little out onto the ground, as a way to clean the glass of anylees for the next serving. Traditionally, the same glass is refilled and passed around, with everyone drinking from it in turn.
Asturiancheeses, especiallyCabrales, are also eaten throughout Spain and beyond; Asturias is often called "the land of cheeses" (el país de los quesos).
The music of Asturias is varied. The most characteristic instrument in traditional music is theAsturian bagpipe, orGaita asturiana, which has a single drone.[43][44] The bagpipe is often accompanied by the hand drum, whistles and accordion.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional folk music, and several music ensembles have gained regional and international recognition for their ethnomusicological study and presentation of indigenous Asturian music. Notable examples include traditional pipers such as Xuacu Amieva and Tejedor and fusionist José ÁngelHevia (whose music video[45] provides views of both the gaita and the Asturian landscape), and the groupsLlan de Cubel,Xera, Nuberu and Felpeyu.[46][47][48] Additionally, numerous rock, ska and heavy metal groups have also found relative success within Asturias, many of which incorporate elements of traditional Asturian music into their sound.[49]
The Asturian anthemAsturias, patria querida (Asturias, beloved fatherland), which was a popular song adopted as the region's anthem and formalised byLey 1/1984, de 27 de Abríl.
TheOrquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias is the premier orchestra in the Principality of Asturias.[50] It is based in the Auditorio Príncipe Felipe in Oviedo, but also performs in the main concert venues in Gijón and Avilés.Rossen Milanov is the Music Director.[51]
Asturias is also the name of the fifth movement of theSuite Española, Op. 47 by Spanish composerIsaac Albéniz. Nevertheless, the music has little in common with the region's own folklore. Another famous piece of classical music more authentically inspired by the Asturian musical heritage isNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov'sCapriccio Espagnol, which prominently features a theme from analborada, a dance tune traditionally played to celebrate the rising of the sun.
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