CLIMATE, HISTORY, AND CULTURE
Spain is one of the most diverse and visually captivating countries in Europe. You’ll soon learn to appreciate the Spanish zest for life, the laid-back sidewalk cafés, and the endless fascinating landscapes. There is always something going on and people are always on the move. Spaniards are welcoming, enthusiastic and social creatures, so it is only natural that Spanish lifestyle boils down to being out and about in the streets, chatting over coffees, strolling arm-in-arm, and making the most out of each day. For this very reason the Spanish schedule is so different. Meal times are hours later and often last much longer than in most countries.
Asturias is an autonomous community (as well as its own province) in the northwest of Spain, bordered by Galicia, Castille-León, Cantabria, and the Cantabrian Sea. The three main cities of Asturias are Gijón, Oviedo, and Avilés.
Asturias is an autonomous community (as well as its own province) in the northwest of Spain, bordered by Galicia, Castille-León, Cantabria, and the Cantabrian Sea. The three main cities of Asturias are Gijón, Oviedo, and Avilés.
Climate
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Asturias, in contrast with most of Spain, has a rainy, humid, and warm climate. It is located in the Spanish "Green Belt," which also includes Galicia, Cantabria, and País Vasco. Precipitation is common year round, which makes Asturias greener than most of Spain. 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, though it can get colder in the mountains along Asturias' southern border. The most stunning geographic feature of Asturias is the Picos de Europa, a series of mountains in the southeast.
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history
For information on the history of Asturias take a look at the following websites:
- https://www.turismoasturias.es/descubre/cultura/historia-y-tradicion
- http://historiadeasturias.com/
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Asturias-region-Spain
- https://www.asturias.es/portal/site/webasturias/menuitem.4b280f8214549ead3e2d6f77f2300030/?vgnextoid=17b3e148d150f010VgnVCM100000b0030a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=dd1f24d08cc4e210VgnVCM1000002f030003RCRD&i18n.http.lang=es
culture
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Asturias has maintained Celtic influences in many parts of its culture, seen in traditional dress and music. The traditional instrument is the gaita asturiana, a type of bagpipes. It is played in traditional dress, and is smaller and chromatic as compared to its Britannic counterparts. The gaita is often accompanied by small, handheld drums, which allows bands to play in mobile processions. |
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Asturias, like the rest of Spain, has many great examples of architecture, including many well-preserved pre-Romanesque churches as well as Gothic ones. Many of these have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Due to its antiquity, Asturias has many other UNESCO sites in the form of prehistoric cave paintings. Asturias also has many examples of modern architecture, including the controversial Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo, as well as the Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre.
Iglesia de San Salvador de Valdediós, consecrated c. 893, pre-Romanesque.
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Oviedo Cathedral, founded c. 781, enlarged since. Mainly Gothic.
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Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo.
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There are many Asturian culinary delights. Portions in Asturias are typically very large, reflecting the hearty mountain heritage, and as with the rest of Spain, meals are typically eaten much later in the day. Asturias is well known for its fresh seafood, due to its proximity to the Cantabrian Sea. However, the most iconic dish of Asturias is fabada, a hearty stew made of white beans (fabes), pork shoulder (lacón), black pudding (morcilla), and spicy sausage (chorizo). Another specialty is cachopo, made from two veal fillets stuffed with jamón serrano and cheese, then breaded and pan-fried. The most emblematic Asturian cheese is Cabrales cheese, a blue cheese made in the southern mountains of Asturias, though Asturias boasts over 40 varieties of autochthonos chesses from the Mancha Quesera.
Another regional specialty is hard apple cider, made from local apples. It is a rather dry cider, and unlike French or English natural ciders, it uses predominantly acidic apples. This cider is not very carbonated, and is traditionally poured as far as possible from the glass to aerate it. Only a small amount is poured at a time, and it is to be enjoyed as soon as possible after pouring before it loses its carbonation.
Another regional specialty is hard apple cider, made from local apples. It is a rather dry cider, and unlike French or English natural ciders, it uses predominantly acidic apples. This cider is not very carbonated, and is traditionally poured as far as possible from the glass to aerate it. Only a small amount is poured at a time, and it is to be enjoyed as soon as possible after pouring before it loses its carbonation.
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Asturias has two soccer teams, Real Sporting de Gijón and Real Oviedo, which have played over 35 seasons in La Liga. Other current notable sports teams are Oviedo CB (basketball) and AB Gijón Jovellanos (handball).
