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Geography > Europe > Spain > Basque Country > Guipúzcoa
San_Sebastián1.jpg
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is the capital city of the province of Guipúzcoa, in the Spanish autonomous community of Basque Country. Its population is 178,017 (2001 estimate).
The city is located in the northeast of Spain, on the Bay of Biscay, close to the French border. San Sebastian's picturesque coastline makes it a popular beach resort.
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History
c. 1174--Donostia is awarded status as fuero by King Sancho VI of Navarre.
1200--The city is conquered by Castille, whose king Alphonse VIII, confirms its fuero.
1728--The foundation of the "Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas" boosts commerce with the Americas.
1808--Napoleonic forces capture San Sebastián.
1813--British and Portuguese troops siege San Sebastián and eventually defeat French occupying troops. After being welcome by the inhabitants, newcomers burn the city down.
1813--The city is rebuilt in the same spot.
1863--City walls demolished; expansion of city begins.
1937--Province falls to fascist forces in Civil War.
Landmarks
Recreation
San Sebastián/Donostia is the home city of the Primera División football club Real Sociedad.
Culture
San_Sebastián_Tamborrada.jpg
Every year on January 20th the people of San Sebastián celebrate a festival known as the Tamborrada. At midnight in the Constitution plaza in the old city, the leader of the festival raises the flag of San Sebastián, and for 24 hours the entire city is awash with the sound of drums.
A festival called La Semana Grande de San Sebastián is held every year in August. There is a fireworks competition in which every night, there is a fireworks presentation over the bay, and at the end, a winner is declared.
San Sebastián is known for its tapas and restaurant district near the port of San Sebastián.
External Links
- Official website (http://www.donostia.org/taxo.nsf/fwCanal?OpenForm&idCanal=B&idioma=ing)
- San Sebastian photos (http://donosti.mundurat.net/fotos_san_sebastian/)
- Donostia photos (http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/argazkiak2003/)
- City photos (http://galeria.ameva.net/categories.php?cat_id=6)
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